Latest Morning Briefing Stories
Seattle Nurses Scrounge For Masks To Stay Safe On Pandemic’s Front Lines
As illness from the new coronavirus stresses the health care system, nurses said they are being forced to make do with less and learning to be good stewards of available equipment and protective gear.
Coronavirus Threatens The Lives Of Rural Hospitals Already Stretched To Breaking Point
Almost half of the nation’s rural hospitals operate in the red on a good day. But amid the coronavirus pandemic, rural hospital CEOs warn that soon some may be unable to pay their workers. And their doors may close when the community most needs them.
Millions Of Older Americans Live In Counties With No ICU Beds As Pandemic Intensifies
A Kaiser Health News analysis shows that counties with ICUs average one ICU bed for every 1,300 older residents, those most at risk for needing hospitalization.
Mask Shortage Straps Pharmacists Who Need Them To Keep Medicines Pure
Fifteen percent of hospital pharmacists who prepare injectable drugs are going without the protective masks they typically use or are using substitutes for masks.
A View From The Front Lines Of California’s COVID-19 Battle
California physicians dealing with COVID-19 offer a sobering portrait of a health care system bracing for the worst of a pandemic that could be months from peaking.
As Coronavirus Testing Gears Up, Specialized Swabs Running Out
Nationwide, testing for coronavirus is ramping up. But the supply of specialty swabs needed to collect potential coronavirus specimens can’t keep up with demand, creating a bottleneck in testing capabilities. So two top manufacturers are working with U.S. and Italian governments to increase production.
Near Trump’s Florida Home, Drive-Thru COVID-19 Testing Gets Off To Rocky Start
Just 5 miles from Mar-a-Lago, the POTUS’ outpost, Florida residents find that the president’s pledge to make testing accessible hasn’t materialized.
Cerca de la casa de Trump, las pruebas de COVID-19 al paso tuvieron un comienzo difícil
A pesar de las reiteradas afirmaciones de la Casa Blanca de que las pruebas estarán disponibles para todos, para los residentes de West Palm Beach, la realidad fue muy diferente.
Qué significa la “limpieza profunda” para tener barcos, aviones y casas libres de virus
La limpieza profunda no es un concepto científico y, aunque hay guías oficiales, puede significar algo distinto para una empresa que para un consumidor.
Ships, Planes, Trains, Scooters All Need A Virus Wipe. But What Does A ‘Deep Clean’ Mean?
There is no universal protocol for a “deep clean” in trying to eradicate the novel coronavirus. Industries are tailoring sanitation efforts in accordance with what makes sense for them.
Biden’s statement leaves out context about how countries decided on which test they’d use to identify the presence of the coronavirus.
Trump Wrongly Said Health Insurers Will Pay For All Coronavirus Treatment
There are important distinctions between how insurance companies will cover the test and the treatment. This makes the president’s statement an exaggeration, at best.
VCU Health Halts 30-Year Campaign That Seized Patients’ Wages, Put Liens On Homes
The bold move by the giant hospital system will help thousands of patients in the wake of a Kaiser Health News investigation last year.
Heart Association Puts Halt To Bayer’s Giant Displays Of Baby Aspirin
After Kaiser Health News’ questions, the association tells the aspirin maker to take down display bins at Walmart pharmacies that gave a false impression that the over-the-counter drug is recommended for everyone to prevent heart attacks.
New Federal Rules Will Let Patients Put Medical Records On Smartphones
Patients would have far more control over their health care with complete medical histories stored on their phones, proponents say.
Preocupa aumento de médicos y enfermeras en cuarentena por exposición al coronavirus
¿Va a haber suficiente personal de salud para atender a los pacientes? El número de profesionales de salud en cuarentena por exposición al virus aumenta dramáticamente.
Surging Health Care Worker Quarantines Raise Concerns As Coronavirus Spreads
The number of U.S. health care workers who have been ordered to self-quarantine because of potential exposure to the new coronavirus is rising at an exponential pace. Many experts say something has to change.
Coronavirus Stress Test: Many 5-Star Nursing Homes Have Infection-Control Lapses
Since the beginning of 2017, inspectors have cited more nursing homes for failing to ensure that all workers follow federal prevention and control protocols than for any other type of violation, according to federal records.
In An Exchange About Coronavirus, Homeland Security Chief Gets Flu Mortality Rate Wrong
The Homeland Security secretary missed the mark with his estimate of the flu’s annual U.S. mortality rate.
Colorado Forges Ahead On A New Model For Health Care While Nation Waits
Since gaining control of the House, Senate and governor’s office, Colorado Democrats are pushing an aggressive health care agenda. With measures to create a public insurance option, welcome drug importation, lower drug prices, curtail surprise billing and cap insulin copays, the state is becoming a likely model for health policies at the federal level.
