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CDPH Issues Weekly Testing Recommendation for Hospital Health Care Staff; CHA Members-Only Webinar Dec. 3
Despite CHA’s request to postpone a weekly testing recommendation for hospital health care personnel, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) released that recommendation in All-Facilities Letter (AFL) 20-88 on Nov. 25. CDPH expects general acute care hospitals to submit a testing plan to their District Office by Dec. 7, using the template in the AFL. CHA expects to that CDPH will follow up with hospitals that don’t submit a plan.
CHA to host webinar this week with more details
All member hospitals are encouraged to join CHA on Dec. 3 from 10 to 11:15 a.m. (PT) for a special webinar that will help hospitals understand their options in how to respond to the AFL given the testing capacity and staffing challenges they are facing.
Topics will include:
- Overview and framework for understanding
- Interpretation of the key AFL elements
- Guidance on testing plan submission
- Open questions and considerations for hospitals
- Compliance and CDPH expectations of hospitals
- Testing resources
CHA Advocating for Hospitals on Staffing, Other Needs During Surge Preparation
In follow up to its list of hospitals’ most pressing needs for surge preparations, CHA has met with the
California Health and Human Services Agency and staff from its departments (CDPH and the Emergency Medical Services Authority). CHA continues to push for clarifications and changes in three areas:
- Relief on nurse-staffing ratio waivers
- If and when the state’s All-Access Transfer Center will be used for patient transfers
- Transparency into the state’s personal protective equipment stockpile for hospitals
CDPH to Host Calls on Vaccination Planning for Hospitals
At CHA’s request, CDPH will host two all-hospital calls on COVID-19 vaccination planning — on Dec. 4 from 9 to 10:30 a.m. (PT) and Dec. 18 from 9 to 10 a.m. (PT). To join the Dec. 4 call, click here, enter your name and email address, enter the password Immunize2020!, and click “join now.”
In case you missed it, to help hospitals get ready, CHA has prepared a five-page COVID-19: Vaccination Primer for California Hospitals, summarizing the latest information from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the steps that hospitals will need to take to participate as vaccinators.
CDPH is also posting information on the California COVID-19 Vaccination Program and COVID-19 Vaccine Planning sections of its website. Hospitals can direct questions to CDPH on these upcoming calls or to their local health departments.
Upcoming Webinar Examines Crisis Standards of Care
The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response will host a webinar Dec. 3 at 9 a.m. (PT) titled “Crisis Standards of Care: What’s Working and What Isn’t?” Speakers will discuss clinical consultation versus triage support, systems-level information sharing, coalition-level coordination activities, and recent resources to help with planning efforts. There will also be significant time provided for participant Q&A.
Next CDPH Call for Health Care Facilities: Dec. 8, 8-9 a.m. (PT)
Dial: (844) 721-7239
Passcode: 7993227
Summary of Nov. 24 CDPH Call
CDPH has provided a summary of its recent weekly call with health care facilities.
