Update on Monoclonal Antibody Therapy Authorized for Emergency UseOn Nov. 9, the Food and Drug Administration granted emergency use authorization (EUA) to a monoclonal antibody therapy called bamlanivimab, produced by Eli Lilly and Company, for the treatment of mild to moderate COVID-19. The federal government has purchased 320,000 doses through the end of 2020; the...
CDPH to Host COVID-19 Vaccination Call for Hospitals This WeekThe California Department of Public Health will host a call with general acute care hospitals on Nov. 13 from 9 to 10 a.m. (PT) to discuss various aspects of COVID-19 vaccine planning and implementation. Discussion will include an overview of the state’s plan, allocation framework, general acute care...
CHA Submits Hospital Surge Preparation Recommendations to State LeadershipThe recent increases in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations statewide mean hospitals must be ready for surges of patients in need of care during the fall and winter. In anticipation of COVID-19 patient surges, CHA submitted a list of hospitals’ most pressing needs to the California Health and Human Services...
CHA/CDPH Guide Designed to Assist Hospitals in Submitting COVID-19 DataCHA and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) have collaborated on a data reporting guide to assist hospitals in submitting data to the CHA COVID-19 Tracking Tool. The guide includes data submission instructions and data dictionary clarifications that can help hospitals comply with changes to the state...
Federal Law Allows Pharmacy Staff to Administer COVID-19 Vaccinations, Prevents LawsuitsThe U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has issued guidance allowing pharmacists, pharmacy interns, and pharmacy technicians to administer COVID-19 vaccines when available — if certain training, recordkeeping, reporting, and other requirements are met. HHS previously used its authority under the Public Readiness...
COVID-19 Vaccination Plan Released by State of CaliforniaOn Oct. 19, the state of California publicly released its plan for administering COVID-19 vaccinations. The plan responds to questions from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for every state, describing how the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) will work within state government and with local health departments...
Survey for COVID-19 Vaccine Planning Due to CDPH FridayOn Oct. 12, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) released All Facilities Letter (AFL) 20-81, which asks all hospitals, or health systems on behalf of their hospitals, to submit information for their COVID-19 vaccine planning.
CDPH Hospital Survey for COVID-19 Vaccine DistributionThe California Department of Public Health (CDPH) will soon release a COVID-19 vaccine hospital survey via an All Facilities Letter (AFL). The survey results will inform how the state allocates doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, which could be available as soon as Nov. 1. There will likely be a...
State Updates Testing Priority GuidanceOn Sept. 22, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) released Updated COVID-19 Testing Guidance. It states that California’s testing capacity and turnaround time have improved. As a result, and until further notice, CDPH advises that all four tiers in the Testing Prioritization Guidance dated July 14 will have equal priority for...
Provider Relief Fund Reporting Requirements AnnouncedThe U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has issued detailed reporting requirements for recipients of more than $10,000 in Provider Relief Funds for health care-related expenses or lost revenues attributable to COVID-19. The reporting requirements apply to all distributions except nursing home infection control, rural health clinic testing, and payments under...
