Medical News – Page 21 – Tarrant County Physician Online

Texas Medical Board Announces New Emergeny Rules

The Texas Medical Board has announced new emergency rules that went into effect today, May 1st, at 12:00am. Among the provisions was this requirement:

All physicians providing patient care or engaging in an in-person patient encounter in medical and healthcare practices, offices, and facilities, other than hospitals as defined under Chapter 241 of the Texas Health & Safety Code, shall post a COVID-19 Minimum Standards of Safe Practice Notice (COVID-19 Notice), delineating the minimum standards of safe practice described in this subsection, in each public area and treatment room or area of the office, practice, or facility. (bold face added)

Earlier today, TMB posted on its website a copy of the notice that physicians can print and place in their offices as required. It is available here.

N95 Decontamination Process with Battelle CCDS

Battelle Critical Care Decontamination System (CCDS). Hosted by the City of Fort Worth on behalf of the region.

Battelle CCDS has arrived in Fort Worth with the goal of decontaminating designated N95 masks in the North Texas region. This is provided by a joint governmental partnership and is a free service provided to healthcare facilities and first responders. Read the below information to find out if this service can benefit you and your healthcare team.

Eligibility
• Healthcare Personnel: All paid and unpaid persons serving in healthcare settings who have the potential for direct or indirect exposure to patients or infectious materials, including body substances (e.g., blood, tissue, and specific body fluids); contaminated medical supplies, devices, and equipment; contaminated environmental surfaces; or contaminated air.
• Also included, but not limited to emergency medical service personnel, nurses, nursing assistants, physicians, technicians, therapists, phlebotomists, pharmacists, dentists and dental hygienists, students and trainees, contractual staff not employed by the healthcare facility, and persons not directly involved in patient care, but who could be exposed to infectious agents that can be transmitted in the healthcare setting (e.g., clerical, dietary, environmental services, laundry, security, engineering and facilities management, administrative, billing, and volunteer personnel).
• Emergency Response Personnel

Eligible Masks for Decontamination
• Any N95 respirator (healthcare and industrial) that are not cellulose based.
• Respirators must be certified by NIOSH as an N95. If NIOSH hasn’t certified it, Battelle does not recommend decontamination via our process.
• The N95 Guidance document should be referenced for identifying N95 respirators that we are able to decontaminate.

Turn-a-Round Time
• Usually within 72 hours of receipt
• Dependent on volume of incoming respirators

Location
• Provided after registration with Battelle has been confirmed
Paperwork MUST be completed and masks properly marked prior to dropping off or shipping N95 masks to the facility. Please reference the N95 Guidance document for allowable masks. No other items are being accepted for decontamination at this time.

Preparation & Collection Instructions
• For Individuals
• For Facilities
For Questions please contact Fort Worth Fire Assistant Chief Homer Robertson.

Battelle CCDS Registration Process:

Sign up with Battelle
• Complete Enrollment Form
• Battelle emails enrollee links to the enrollment contract, instructions, and the Battelle POC
Contact Us to Get Your Code
• Enrollee signs contract and contacts Battelle POC to receive their 3-digit codes for each facility
Properly Label Respirators
• Once the 3-digit codes are received from Battelle, enrollee collects N95 respirators
• N95 respirators must be unsoiled (free of blood, mucus, make-up, lip balm, etc.) and labeled with a permanent marker
Collect & Bag All N95 Respirators
• Enrollee collects all N95 respirators into a single plastic bag
• Once the plastic bag is filled, tie off the bag, and put it into another plastic bag
Properly Package
• Clean the outside bag with disinfectant
• Shipping box must be labeled with the 3-digit code and a biohazard sticker
Ship to Battelle CCDS Site
• Enrollee contacts their chosen logistics provider to coordinate pick-up and delivery of their N95 respirators
• Enrollee can either use a logistics provider or their choice or Battelle’s preferred logistics provider
• The enrollee can drop off their N95 respirators rather than shipping if they prefer. If the respirators are dropped off then they will be required to pick up the respirators when the decontamination process is complete. Return shipping will not be provided in this instance.
Decontaminated & Returned
• Your shipments are barcoded to ensure chain of custody
• Your N95 respirators are processed and then verified to ensure they are free of decontaminant
• Your decontaminated N95 respirators are returned to your facility.
• If the enrollee dropped off their respirators then they will be required to return and pick up.

Tarrant County COVID-19 Activity – 4/30/20

COVID-19 Positive cases: 2246*

COVID-19 related deaths: 68

Recovered COVID-19 cases: 485

Data from Tarrant County Public Heath’s (TCPH) report of COVID-19 activity in Tarrant County, updated Thursday, April 30, 2020. Find more COVID-19 information from TCPH here.

* These data are provisional and are subject to change at any time.

Deaths and recovered cases are included in total COVID-19 positive cases.

Help TMA Get PPE to Your Practice

As the Texas Medical Association told you Monday, personal protective equipment (PPE) will begin to move more quickly from state-managed warehouses to Texas county medical societies and on to private practice, community care physicians.

The movement of PPE, including N95 masks, is possible through an extensive collaboration among TMA, county medical societies, and a host of other associations and state agencies.

But we need your help.

Check your email today for a personalized link to the new TMA PPE Portal, which will include a needs assessment form for your practice. The form asks you to report your daily use of N95 masks, surgical masks, gloves, gowns, face shields, booties, and sanitizer. Only one email was sent to each practice.

Find more information, including who can request PPE through the portal, how much it will cost (spoiler alert: it’s free), quality control, and how to identify your Regional Advisory Council (RAC), in TMA’s latest PPE frequently asked questions (FAQ) document.

Remember that the portal is not a PPE order form. The Hospital Preparedness Programs (HPPs) and RACs will use the data to allocate a share of available PPE to county medical societies. The county societies will use the data and guidelines developed by a TMA work group to distribute PPE to community physicians.

“The RACs and HPPs are all independent organizations, and all operate differently. Thanks to the strong support of Chief Nim Kidd of the Texas Division of Emergency Management, everyone is working much better to meet the PPE needs of community physicians,” TMA President David C. Fleeger, MD, said. “We very much appreciate the assistance of Chief Kidd and the RACs.”

You can also find the latest news, resources, and government guidance on the coronavirus outbreak by visiting TMA’s COVID-19 Resource Center regularly.

TMLT offers KN95 masks at no cost to policyholders fighting COVID-19

Texas Medical Liability Trust (TMLT) is offering KN95 respirator masks — a crucial piece of personal protective equipment (PPE) — to its policyholders on the front lines of the COVID-19 emergency in Texas. While supplies last, the masks are being provided at no cost to physician policyholders and their practices in need of this PPE.

Robert Donohoe, TMLT’s CEO and president, acquired the masks from a manufacturer in China. KN95 masks from China were recently approved for use in the United States by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

“We are doing all we can to provide relief to physicians who are in the trenches fighting this common enemy — COVID-19. We will do our very best to provide those in the greatest need with this important, potentially life-saving equipment,” Donohoe says.

TMLT physician policyholders responded quickly to the news. “I have been diligently trying to find these masks and other PPE. Your kindness is appreciated,” wrote Dr. Karen Anderson, a nephrologist in Houston, TX.

Dr. Paul H. Kocay, an obstetrician-gynecologist in Boerne, TX added, “As a small practice, we’ve not had access to ANY type of masks since March 15^th. This will help us immensely!”

Supplies are limited and are expected to go quickly. Policyholders should check their email for details on how to request a supply of KN95 masks.

Tarrant County COVID-19 Activity – 4/29/20

COVID-19 Positive cases: 2149*

COVID-19 related deaths: 61

Recovered COVID-19 cases: 387

Data from Tarrant County Public Heath’s (TCPH) report of COVID-19 activity in Tarrant County, updated Wednesday, April 29, 2020. Find more COVID-19 information from TCPH here.

* These data are provisional and are subject to change at any time.

Deaths and recovered cases are included in total COVID-19 positive cases.

Tarrant County COVID-19 Activity – 4/28/20

COVID-19 Positive cases: 2088*

COVID-19 related deaths: 58

Recovered COVID-19 cases: 289

Data from Tarrant County Public Heath’s (TCPH) report of COVID-19 activity in Tarrant County, updated Tuesday, April 28, 2020. Find more COVID-19 information from TCPH here.

* These data are provisional and are subject to change at any time.

Deaths and recovered cases are included in total COVID-19 positive cases.

Tarrant County Public Health reports another COVID-19 death

Tarrant County Public Health (TCPH) today reported another COVID-19 death, a man in his 70s from Fort Worth. Tarrant County now has 53 confirmed deaths from the COVID-19 virus. 283 people have recovered.

“Every death that occurs is regrettable and makes us mindful of the toll this virus is taking in our community,” said Tarrant County Public Health Director Vinny Taneja. He urged everyone to continue to follow Public Health guidelines, which include:

Stay home as much as possible.
If you go out, cover your mouth and nose with a mask or scarf.
Practice social distancing by staying six feet away from others when you are out.
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Don’t touch your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
Avoid contact with people who are sick.
If you have difficulty breathing, or a persistent fever, call your doctor or healthcare provider.
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue or your sleeve.
Frequently clean and disinfect touched objects and surfaces.

COVID-19 causes respiratory illness with cough, fever, and shortness of breath, and may lead to bronchitis and severe pneumonia. For more information go to coronavirus.tarrantcounty.com or call the Tarrant County Public Health information line, (817) 248-6299, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Tarrant County COVID-19 Activity – 4/26/20

COVID-19 Positive cases: 1947*

COVID-19 related deaths: 53

Recovered COVID-19 cases: 283

Data from Tarrant County Public Heath’s (TCPH) report of COVID-19 activity in Tarrant County, updated Sunday, April 26, 2020. Find more COVID-19 information from TCPH here.

* These data are provisional and are subject to change at any time.

Deaths and recovered cases are included in total COVID-19 positive cases.

Tarrant County COVID-19 Activity – 4/25/20

COVID-19 Positive cases: 1836*

COVID-19 related deaths: 52

Recovered COVID-19 cases: 283

Data from Tarrant County Public Heath’s (TCPH) report of COVID-19 activity in Tarrant County, updated Saturday, April 25, 2020. Find more COVID-19 information from TCPH here.

* These data are provisional and are subject to change at any time.

Deaths and recovered cases are included in total COVID-19 positive cases.