Hospital Employee Health – July 1, 2020
July 1, 2020
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The ‘Parallel Pandemic’: Clinicians May Face Post-Traumatic Stress
Medical experts are expecting a second wave of mental health issues to hit healthcare workers after the novel coronavirus abates. Some are warning that a “parallel pandemic” of post-traumatic stress will beset healthcare workers who witnessed COVID-19 deaths and suffering in patients and colleagues.
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CDC Tips to Recognize and Cope with Stress
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has posted information for healthcare personnel on coping with stress and building resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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A Veteran Nurse Becomes a Patient, Faces Down COVID-19
A long-time nurse knew to remain calm and turn her healing power inward as she fought COVID-19 in isolation for six long days in a hospital.
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CDC: Almost 300 Healthcare Workers Died of COVID-19
In incomplete data that almost certainly reflect an undercount, 294 healthcare workers have died of COVID-19, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced.
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Study of SARS-CoV-2 Finds Airborne Particles, but Are They Infective?
A pre-published study under peer review suggests particles of SARS-CoV-2 can linger on surfaces and travel in the air beyond six feet. Although still subject to peer review, the findings are controversial because public health officials originally recommended N95 respirators for healthcare workers treating COVID-19 patients under airborne precautions. The recommendation was temporarily amended to wearing surgical masks if N95s were not available, a stopgap measure that could be reversed as soon as supplies were in stock.
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The Fine Line Between Tragedy and Comedy
Lynette Charity, MD, a board-certified physician and anesthesiologist, was on the ledge of a bridge ready to jump to her death. She measured the distance and the rate of fall in her mind, hoping she would hit a rock rather than drown. That was 22 years ago. Today, she is a public speaker and stand-up comic, using humor to address burnout and suicide among healthcare workers.
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OSHA Issues Alert on Safety of Nursing Home Workers
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is advising nursing homes to regularly screen staff for symptoms of COVID-19, as long-term care has been hit by devastating outbreaks of the virus.