An overview of recent information from the FDA, CMS, HHS and more to help guide addressing COVID-19.

• The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently updated recommendations on nonessential medical services and other procedures to conserve critical health care resources and protect patients and staff exposure to #COVID19. The recommendations include a tiered approach to prioritizing services.
• Did you know that CMS has approved 50 emergency waivers, 21 State Amendments and 3 Medicaid Disaster Amendments to help states combat #COVID19? You can stay up to date on all emergency waiver actions on the CMS Federal Disaster Resources website.
• The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently posted information regarding shortages of hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine to its drug shortages webpage due to a significant surge in demand. The agency is working with manufacturers to assess their supplies and is evaluating market demand for patients who are dependent on hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine for treatment of malaria, lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. The FDA has also expanded availability of cardiopulmonary bypass devices to address COVID-19 and issued guidance on infusion pumps and accessories to help ensure availability for patients who require continuous infusion of medications, nutrition and other fluids, and help foster technologies that maintain a safer physical distance between providers and patients.
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released information on Strategies to Mitigate Healthcare Personnel Staffing Shortages during COVID-19 with recommendations for contingency and crisis capacity recommendations for consideration. Additionally, the Agency has updated its Interim Clinical Guidance for Management of Patients with Confirmed COVID-19 to include additional info on asymptomatic and presymptomatic patients, reinfection, nonsteroidal drugs, possibility of infection with other viruses, additional lab and imaging findings, and more. These materials can be found on the CDC's coronavirus website.
• The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has issued recommendations to help health care facilities protect their workers' psychological health and well-being. Scan the QR code to download the tips. With so many members on the front lines of #COVID19, the ACC also continues to develop clinician well-being resources. Visit ACC.org/ClinicianWellbeing.
 
• ATTN PHARMACISTS: The CDC has released information advising pharmacy staff on strategies to minimize risk of exposure to #COVID19 and how to reduce the risk for customers. Additionally, the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health has issued new guidance under the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act authorizing licensed pharmacists to order and administer FDA-approved COVID-19 tests.

Clinical Topics: Cardiovascular Care Team, COVID-19 Hub, Novel Agents, Statins

Keywords: ACC Publications, Cardiology Magazine, Health Policy, COVID-19, Hydroxychloroquine, Coronavirus, Chloroquine, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, U.S., Civil Defense, Pharmacists, Medicaid, Pharmaceutical Preparations, Cardiopulmonary Bypass, United States Food and Drug Administration, Medicare, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, Coronavirus Infections, Pharmacy

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