Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1225425
March 23–April 27, 2020 4 Working Nurse l WorkingNurse.com ON THE QUICK Nursing & Healthcare News ANA Asks for Clarity on COVID-19 PPE Changing CDC recommendations lead to confusion for nurses W ith spiraling demand for personal protective equipment (PPE) among healthcare providers and the public alike, the CDC keeps changing its PPE recommendations for dealing with COVID-19. The ANA is now asking for "a more definitive statement" about appropriate PPE for healthcare workers. The Respirator Question Mask or respirator? That's the central question behind the CDC's ever-changing PPE guidance for healthcare work- ers dealing with known or suspected cases of COVID-19. In early March, CDC guidance recommended respira- tors for direct contact with patients who may have the 2019 novel coronavirus. In fact, the CDC went so far as to ask the FDA to authorize emergency use of some N95 respirators that aren't FDA-approved for healthcare set- tings, hoping to mitigate supply issues. Then, on March 10, the CDC responded to reports of mounting respirator shortages by issuing updated guidance declaring that if a facility is short on respirators, medical masks (along with eye protection, gowns and gloves) are "an acceptable alternative," letting hospitals save scarce respirators for higher-risk aerosol-generating procedures. On March 17, CDC suggested that providers use face shields or improvised masks if medical masks are unavailable. Evidence, Please The ANA worries that the ever-changing CDC guidance is "based solely on supply chain and manufacturing chal- lenges" rather than on clinical research. "Rationale for changes of this magnitude should be based on evidence that reflects a better understanding of the transmission of COVID-19," the ANA said in a March 11 news release, adding that CDC also needs to make clear when the interim recommendations may be rescinded so as to avoid confusing nurses and other providers about what PPE is appropriate. The ANA also expressed concern that the CDC hasn't offered any strategies for tackling the manufacturing and supply chain issues that are making masks, respirators and other PPE so scarce during this pandemic. WN CRACKING DOWN ON CORONAVIRUS "CURES" FDA and FTC threaten enforcement action for fraudulent claims H ave you recently seen family members or acquaintances share dubious claims about fighting COVID-19 with essential oils, colloidal silver or herbal tea? The FDA and FTC have seen those assertions too — and issued stern warning letters to several vendors. Unsupported Claims The FDA declares unequivocally, "There are currently no vaccines, pills, potions, lotions, lozenges or other prescription or over-the- counter products available to treat or cure coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)." Both the CDC and the World Health Organization agree. Nevertheless, some com- panies are making grandiose promises about how their products can protect against or even cure coronavirus infections. For example, Quinessence says that essen- tial oils like eucalyptus radiata have "powerful anti-viral and antiseptic properties." Televangelist Jim Bakker has asserted that his "Silver Solution" colloidal silver product has "been test- ed on other strains of the coronavirus, and has been able to eliminate it within 12 hours." The FDA and FTC are none too happy about such claims. Since there are as yet no approved drugs for COVID-19, advertis- ing that a product can protect against or cure the disease vio- lates federal law. FDA Commissioner Stephen M. Hahn, M.D., calls such products "fraudulent" and "a threat to the public health." "Preying on Consumers" On March 6, the FDA and FTC sent warning letters to seven businesses, including Quinessence and "The Jim Bakker Show," demanding that they immediately cease stating that their prod- ucts are effective against COVID-19. "What we don't need in this situation are companies preying on consumers by promoting products with fraudulent preven- tion and treatment claims," says FTC Chairman Joe Simons. Missouri's attorney general, Eric Schmitt, has already taken more aggressive action. Missouri recently sued "The Jim Bakker Show," alleging that its unsupported assertions about Silver Solution violate state laws against misleading advertising. WN SNAKE OIL The FDA calls fraudulent claims that products like this can fight COVID-19 "a threat to the public health."