Providers WA

01/5/21 Provider Alert: CDC Updates Gonorrhea Treatment Guidelines   

| January 6, 2021
stethoscope on doctor desk

Requested Actions Review updated guidance from the CDC regarding gonorrhea treatment, including treatment of uncomplicated gonococcal infections and changes to expedited partner therapy recommendations for gonorrhea. Be aware that due to the COVID-19 pandemic the Yakima Health District is currently not offering free STI testing until they open the building back up to the public. … 01/5/21 Provider Alert: CDC Updates Gonorrhea Treatment Guidelines   

Tdap and Pregnancy Information for Providers

| January 4, 2021
Black woman looking at friend or partner during sonogram

Pertussis is a serious disease for young infants. Pertussis epidemics occur in the United States every 3–5 years. Even though we have a vaccine, pertussis is a common infectious disease. There are 10,000–40,000 cases per year and 10–20 deaths.1 In 2013, there were more than 28,000 cases in the United States. Pertussis is most serious in … Tdap and Pregnancy Information for Providers

12/24/20 – Provider Alert: Increased Concern of Suicide Risk in Youth During COVID-19

| December 24, 2020
doctor writing on chart

**Clinical leadership is expected to schedule time to review guidelines with staff** Questions? Contact: Melissa Sixberry, Director of Disease Control, 509-249-6509 Requested actions: Screen patients for suicide risk, particularly children, teens, and young adults. See the Screening section below for more information. Share information and resources with patients and their families on crisis support, suicide … 12/24/20 – Provider Alert: Increased Concern of Suicide Risk in Youth During COVID-19

12/12/20 – Health Advisory: COVID-19 Updates for Providers

| December 12, 2020
Woman in blue scrubs with red stethoscope around her neck

Requested actions Be aware, Governor Inslee extended proclamations 20-05 and 20-24 prohibiting certain medical and dental procedures. All Western Washington healthcare facilities should operate in a contingency care phase—provide appropriate clinical care so long as access to PPE is sufficient and, for hospitals, surge capacity is at least 20%. Be aware, due to rapidly increasing COVID-19 cases across … 12/12/20 – Health Advisory: COVID-19 Updates for Providers

12/3/20 Provider Alert: CDC Updates COVID-19 Quarantine and Isolation Guidelines and Influenza Testing

| December 4, 2020
desk with keyboard, pen, notepad and stethoscope

**Clinical leadership is expected to schedule time to review guidelines with staff** Requested Actions Be aware CDC issued new guidelines to reduce quarantine for people who have been exposed to COVID-19 Ensure to continue to test for influenza when suspected Recommend influenza vaccine to all eligible people older than 6 months. Continue to counsel patients … 12/3/20 Provider Alert: CDC Updates COVID-19 Quarantine and Isolation Guidelines and Influenza Testing

12/2/20 Health Advisory: COVID-19 updates for providers

| December 2, 2020
doctor with arms crossed holding stethoscope

Health Advisory: COVID-19 updates for providers Requested actions Be aware, because of the rapidly increasing cases across the state, heightened restrictions continue through Dec. 14. Counsel patients on how to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Test patients with new COVID-19 symptoms and those who had close contact with a person with COVID-19. Be aware, an increased demand for … 12/2/20 Health Advisory: COVID-19 updates for providers

7/7/20 – Health Advisory: COVID-19 Updates for Providers

| July 7, 2020
doctor in white coat discussing something with another doctor

Requested actions Be aware Washington State Department of Health (DOH) updated its COVID-19 testing guidance. Test all patients with COVID-19 symptoms. Test asymptomatic people from a priority population (see details below). Reporting Providers must fax positive lab results with demographic information to 509-249-6628. Background Last week, DOH updated its COVID-19 testing guidance for healthcare providers. The updates include: … 7/7/20 – Health Advisory: COVID-19 Updates for Providers

Update #12 & Interim Guidance on Outbreak of COVID-19

| May 31, 2020
blurry doctor and patient in background with stethoscope on a notebook

**Clinical leadership is expected to schedule time to review guidelines with staff** Test all patients with symptoms consistent with COVID-19 Healthcare providers should test all patients with new onset of symptoms consistent with COVID-19, regardless of their age of health status. COVID-19 patients may present with: Cough or Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing OR … Update #12 & Interim Guidance on Outbreak of COVID-19

Needlestick Injury or Other Blood Exposure Procedures – Training Document

| May 23, 2020

Needlestick Injury or Other Blood Exposure Procedure Purpose: Prevent transmission of bloodborne pathogens. Definition of substantial exposure to potentially infectious body fluids: Any percutaneous, mucosal, or non-intact skin contact with the blood or other potentially infectious bodily fluids of another person. In some instances, the Health Department may consider gross exposure of intact skin to … Needlestick Injury or Other Blood Exposure Procedures – Training Document

Update #11 & Interim Guidance on Outbreak of COVID-19

| May 12, 2020
blurry hospital hallway

Contact: Melissa Sixberry, Director of Disease Control                                                                              509-249-650 **Clinical leadership is expected to schedule time to review guidelines with staff** BACKGROUND In the United Kingdom and Europe, a possible link has been reported between COVID-19 and a serious inflammatory disease recently termed “Pediatric Multi-System Inflammatory Syndrome Temporally Associated with COVID-19.” As of … Update #11 & Interim Guidance on Outbreak of COVID-19