22 States Petition HHS and CMS to Lift Vaccine Mandates for Healthcare Workers (video)

A group of 22 states led by the Montana attorney general has urged the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to lift the COVID-19 vaccine mandate for healthcare workers in the Medicare and Medicaid space.

The states include Montana, Louisiana, Tennessee, Arizona, Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Indiana, Kentucky, Kansas, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and Wyoming.

They filed their petition asking the United States Department of Health and Human Services HHS and CMS to repeal the mandate and any associated guidance that requires the staff at healthcare organizations to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

In the petition, the attorney general stated that the vaccine mandate significantly limited many patients' access to necessary medical care services. The petition also stated that the mandates decreased healthcare workers' employment opportunities, forcing them to choose to become vaccinated or unemployed.

Some believe that there are upsize and downsides to lifting the vaccine mandate. The upside is it might slightly increase staff availability; the downside is that it may increase the unwillingness of patients to allow unvaccinated workers to treat them.

But not everyone agrees. Some have said that every employer struggles to fill their ranks, so it's fair to blame the staffing shortage on the HHS or the vaccine mandates.

But overall, many believe that there isn't a chance that the vaccine mandate will be removed.

Zero Candidates Interviewing for ER Positions Where Nurse Called 911 (Video)

In the above video, we look at the disturbing story of one hospital having zero candidates interviewing for ER positions. What could be causing this problem? 

The current job market is tight, and many qualified candidates are vying for a limited number of jobs. This is especially true in the medical field, where the demand for skilled professionals is high. 

One possible cause is the nurse who called 911. The emergency room was overwhelmed with patients and was short-staffed. After calling, they sent over the Fire Department, who provided help via the EMTs. 

Another possible reason for the lack of interest in ER positions is the pay. Many hospitals are struggling to keep up with the rising healthcare costs, and they cannot offer competitive salaries. As a result, many potential candidates may be discouraged from applying for these positions. 

Whatever the cause, it is clear that this problem needs to be addressed urgently. The consequences of not having enough ER nurses are potentially dire, and action must be taken to ensure that hospitals have the staff they need.

How to Complete the Admission and Discharge of a Patient as a Unit Secretary (Video)

As a unit secretary, you will be responsible for completing the admission and discharge of patients. 

The admission process begins when the patient arrives at the hospital and is registered as an inpatient. Once complete, they will be assigned a bed in your unit. They can be sent to your unit from the Emergency Room, transferred from another unit, admitted from an outpatient procedure, or directly admitted from a doctor's office. 

The discharge process begins when the doctor writes the discharge orders. There are many places a patient can be discharged to:

• Home
• Hospice
• Home with Hospice
• Rehabilitation
• Skilled Nursing Facility/Long-Term Care Facility
• Morgue 
• Funeral

By following these steps, you can ensure that the admission and discharge of patients are completed smoothly and efficiently.

How to Evacuate a Hospital (Video)

As a unit secretary, you play an important role in maintaining communication and order during a hospital stay. 

In the event of an emergency, such as a hurricane or fire, your ability to stay calm and follow directions is essential to ensuring a smooth evacuation. Here are some things to keep in mind if you find yourself in this situation. 

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Let's Talk About Monkeypox (Video)

While most people have never heard of Monkeypox, this rare viral disease made headlines earlier this year when it was diagnosed in the United States for the first time. 

Monkeypox is similar to smallpox, another viral disease eradicated through vaccination. Both diseases cause a fever and a rash, but monkeypox is generally less severe than smallpox and rarely results in death. Most people who contract monkeypox do not require hospitalization, and the disease usually resolves on its own within a few weeks. 

However, some people may develop more serious symptoms, such as pneumonia or encephalitis. There is no specific treatment for monkeypox, but patients can receive supportive care to help relieve symptoms.

The best way to prevent monkeypox is to avoid contact with wild animals or people who are sick. There is a vaccination that can also provide some protection against monkeypox.

Workplace Violence (Videos)

Workplace violence is a serious problem that can have tragic consequences. 

According to the CDC, there are four main types of workplace violence: criminal intent, client-on-worker violence, worker-on-worker violence, and personal relationship violence.

Criminal intent refers to acts of violence committed to harm others, regardless of the relationship between the perpetrator and the victim. Example: 

• a nurse assaulted in the hospital parking garage;
• a home health care nurse is mugged while conducting a home visit.

Client-on-worker violence occurs when a client or customer becomes violent towards a worker. Research shows that this type of violence occurs most frequently in emergency and psychiatric treatment settings, waiting rooms, and geriatric settings but is by no means limited to these.

 

Worker-on-worker violence occurs when two employees become involved in a physical or verbal altercation. It includes bullying and frequently manifests as verbal and emotional abuse that is unfair, offensive, vindictive, and/or humiliating though it can range to homicide.

Personal relationship violence is when someone uses violence to control or threaten someone with whom they have a personal relationship, such as a spouse or partner. For example, the husband of a nurse follows her to work, orders her home, and threatens her. 

Workplace violence can profoundly impact both the victims and witnesses of the act itself and the work environment as a whole. 

It is important for employers to be aware of the risks of workplace violence and to take steps to prevent it from happening.