Policy Updates

Honeywell issued a Mandatory Stop Use Notice related to Powered Air Purifying Respirator (PAPR) Cartridges SKUs PA7DEHE and PA7OVAGHE. Read the Honeywell Market Action Notice for information on replacing unused products.

3M Scott Fire & Safety issued a user safety notice for the C420 Powered Air-Purifying Respirator (PAPR) Blowers. The manufacturer of the C420 blower unit identified a population of production with the potential for internal impeller disengagement from the blower motor. In such circumstances the PAPR respirators will still maintain user protection and continue to … Continued

The CDC released the latest version of its Antimicrobial Resistance (AR) Investment Map, highlighting the agency’s funding in the U.S. and around the world to combat the global threat of AR in FY 2022. CDC funds AR activities in every U.S. state to detect, respond to, contain, and prevent resistant infections across healthcare, the community, … Continued

The CDC’s Clinician Outreach and Communication Activity (COCA) group is hosting a webinar on evaluating and supporting children and adolescents presenting with post-COVID conditions. Free continuing education will be offered for this call. Date: Thursday, February 23 Time: 2:00 – 3:00 pm ET Webinar link: https://www.zoomgov.com/j/1617153478?pwd=ME5FZ2VPRXBGUGc4UVlqcE1zdFNTZz09

The FDA revised the Letters of Authorization for two EUAs, Paxlovid and Lagevrio, to remove the requirement for positive test results to prescribe these products. The agency continues to recommend that providers use direct SARS-CoV-2 viral testing to help diagnose COVID-19. However, we recognize that, in rare instances, individuals with a recent known exposure (e.g., a household contact) … Continued

The White House issued a Statement of Administration Policy about its plan to extend the COVID-19 national emergency and public health emergency (PHE) to May 11 and then end both emergencies on that date. This wind-down would align with the Administration’s previous commitments to give at least 60 days’ notice prior to termination of the … Continued

The CDC issued a Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Advisory about infections with an extensively drug-resistant strain of Verona Integron-mediated Metallo-β-lactamase (VIM) and Guiana-Extended Spectrum-β-Lactamase (GES)-producing carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (VIM-GES-CRPA) in 12 states. The majority of patients reported using EzriCare Artificial Tears, a preservative-free, over-the-counter product packaged in multidose bottles. As a result, the FDA issued a warning to … Continued

A report from the CDC, “Health Disparities in Hemodialysis-Associated Staphylococcus aureus Bloodstream Infections – United States, 2017 – 2020,” noted that while vascular access type was the major risk factor for hemodialysis-associated S. aureus bloodstream infections (BSI), race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic factors also affected infection rates and distribution. More than 800,000 adults in the U.S. live with … Continued

Based on data that show Evusheld in unlikely to be effective against SARS-CoV-2 variants currently circulating in the U.S., the FDA announced that Evusheld is not currently authorized for use in the U.S. until further notice. Read the FDA announcement.