Policy Updates

The CDC is reporting increases in COVID-19 infections, hospitalizations, and deaths in recent weeks as the prevalence of the JN.1 variant continues to rise in the U.S. and globally. While causing less severe illness than previous variants, JN.1 now accounts for approximately 62% of all currently circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants. Read the CDC update.

The FDA announced that it considers vaporized hydrogen peroxide (VHP) to be an Established Category A method of sterilization for medical devices, recognizing VHP’s long history of safety and effectiveness. Broader use of VHP is part of the FDA’s multi-pronged approach to reducing the use of ethylene oxide (EtO) when possible. Read the FDA news release.

At the request of the manufacturer, NIOSH has rescinded approval of one A & Z Pharmaceutical respirator. As of December 6, 2023, any respirator with NIOSH approval number TC-84A-9307 is no longer NIOSH approved and may no longer be used, manufactured, assembled, sold, or distributed. Read the NIOSH notice.

Following manufacturers’ plans to release additional doses of nirsevimab, the CDC updated it recommendations for use of the long-acting monoclonal antibody immunization to prevent RSV-associated lower respiratory tract disease in young children. Although a CDC Health Advisory issued in October recommended prioritization of the drug because of limited supply, CDC and ACIP now recommend that … Continued

Earlier versions of the eNews and Action eList shared data from the previous year’s progress report. This webpage has been updated to reflect the 2022 report released by CDC. CDC has published the 2022 National and State Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAI) Progress Report. This report provides a summary of select HAIs across four healthcare settings: acute … Continued

Monday, December 4 — The December 2023 Quarterly Confidential Feedback Reports for the fiscal year (FY) 2025 Skilled Nursing Facility Value-Based Purchasing (SNF VBP) Program are now available to download via the Internet Quality Improvement and Evaluation System (iQIES). These reports contain facility and stay-level data and results for the SNF 30-Day All-Cause Readmission Measure … Continued

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released Claims-Based Measures Manuals and accompanying documents which provide information on how their claims-based measures are calculated for Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNF), Long-term Care Hospitals (LTCH), and Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities (IRF).

The CDC has posted on its website 2024 immunization schedules recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and approved by CDC. See these schedules on the CDC Immunization Schedules website. The Agency has also created a new RespVaxView webpage to provide accurate and timely information about respiratory virus vaccination trends for COVID-19, Influenza, … Continued

At the request of the manufacturer, NIOSH voluntary rescinded approval for 26 Honeywell respirators. As of November 13, 2023, respirators bearing the following NIOSH approval numbers may no longer be used, manufactured, assembled, sold, or distributed: 84A-0593            84A-0594            84A-0595            84A-0596            84A-0597 84A-0598            84A-0599            84A-0600            84A-0601            84A-0602 84A-0603            84A-0604            84A-0605            84A-0606            84A-0607 84A-0608            84A-0609            84A-0610            84A-0612            … Continued