Past Updates from the Clinician Registry Listserv

Update Sent September 15, 2008

NOTE: This document is provided for historical purposes only and may not provide our most accurate and up-to-date information. The most current Clinician's information can be found on the Clinician Home Page.

The following updates were made to CDC information and guidance from Sept. 8 - 15.  If you have any questions on these or other clinical issues, please write to us at coca@cdc.gov.

Today's topics Include:

• COCA Conference Call: Clostridium difficle
• Hurricane Response
• Medical Device Safety
• Anthrax
• Trauma Therapy
• West Nile Virus
• Seasonal Influenza
• Global Infectious Disease

COCA Conference Call: Clostridium difficile

COCA Conference Call: Changing Epidemiology and Prevention of C. difficile Infection
Date: TOMORROW Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Time: 1:00-2:00 PM ET
Speaker: Carolyn Gould, MD
Call-in information and presentation materials for this call are now available on our website.
http://emergency.cdc.gov/coca/callinfo.asp

Hurricane Response

CDC Responds to Hurricane 2008 Season - CDC - Sept. 15
In response to Hurricane Ike and the flooding it has caused, CDC has sent many experts to Texas and Louisiana. These experts include key management officials who are working with state and local response officials. Many of these staff are working in federal medical stations, which are mobile units that provide medical care for evacuees with special needs. Stations are currently set up in Alexandria and Baton Rouge, Louisiana and San Antonio, College Station, and Dallas/Forth Worth, Texas. 
http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/hurricanes/2008/15sep2008.asp

Prevent and Treat Other Illnesses and Injuries After a Hurricane or Flood - CDC
This link includes information on avoiding CO poisoning, electrical hazards, and other hazards after a hurricane or flood.
http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/hurricanes/otherhazards.asp

Prevent Illness From Food and Water After a Hurricane or Flood - CDC
This link includes information on food and water safety following a hurricane or flood.
http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/hurricanes/foodwater.asp

What You Need to Know When the Power Goes Out - Hazards Related to Severe Heat:
http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/poweroutage/needtoknow.asp#heat

Heat Stress Resources for Workers - NIOSH
Heat-induced occupational illnesses, injuries, and reduced productivity can occur with excessive exposure to a hot work environment. Heat-induced disorders include transient heat fatigue, heat rash, fainting, heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke. Aside from these disorders, heat poses the threat of injuries because of accidents caused by slippery palms as a result of sweating, fogged up safety glasses, and dizziness.
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/heatstress/

Coping With a Disaster or Traumatic Event - CDC
The effects of a disaster can be long-lasting, and the resulting trauma can reverberate even with those not directly affected by the disaster. This page provides general strategies for promoting mental health and resilience. These strategies were developed by various organizations based on experiences in prior disasters.
http://emergency.cdc.gov/mentalhealth/

Interim Health Recommendations for Workers who Handle Human Remains After a Disaster - CDC
Bacteria and viruses from human remains in flood water are a minor part of the overall contamination that can include uncontrolled sewerage, a variety of soil and water organisms, and household and industrial chemicals. There are no additional practices or precautions for flood water related to human remains, beyond what is normally required for safe food and drinking water, standard hygiene and first aid. However, for people who must directly handle remains, such as recovery personnel, or persons identifying remains or preparing the remains for burial or cremation, there can be a risk of exposure to such viruses or bacteria.
http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/handleremains.asp

Medical Device Safety

Recall of LifePak CR Plus Automated External Defibrillators (AED) - FDA - Sept. 11
Physio Control, Inc., issued a recall of LifePak CR Plus Automated External Defibrillators (AED), used by emergency or medical personnel to treat adults in cardiopulmonary arrest. The product was recalled because the AED instructs the responder by voice prompts to press the shock button which is not visible because it is covered, thereby making the responder unable to provide shock therapy. The AED device should be removed from service, or the manufacturer-provided diagram should be consulted to remove and discard the shock button cover.
http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/recalls/recall-082808.html

Disposable Battery Operated Lavage System (BOLS) - FDA - Sept. 8
FDA notified healthcare professionals about the potential for sparks, fires, toxic fumes, and explosions when disposable battery operated lavage systems’ (BOLS) cables are cut. BOLS are used in the OR, ER, burn units, and nursing units. The cutting of the battery pack's cable can lead to a short circuit, causing the batteries to discharge rapidly, producing intense heat and flammable gases with a resulting explosion that expels flammable gases and toxic chemicals endangering both patients and staff. Recommendations for avoiding this risk are provided in the medical device safety alert below.
http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/medicaldevicesafety/tipsarticles/batterypack.html

Anthrax

Cross-Contamination of Clinical Specimens with Bacillus anthracis During a Laboratory Proficiency Test - Idaho, 2006 - CDC - MMWR Weekly - Sept. 12
The findings in this report underscore the need to follow proper laboratory practices to minimize cross-contamination. In addition, to guard against false reports of anthrax, public health epidemiologists who monitor reportable diseases should be notified of upcoming proficiency testing of high-priority bioterrorism agents.
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5736a3.htm

Trauma Therapy

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Effective for Treating Trauma Symptoms in Children and Teens - CDC - Sept. 9
Individual and group cognitive behavioral therapy is effective in reducing depressive disorders, anxiety, post traumatic stress disorder or other trauma symptoms in children and teenagers, according to an extensive review of dozens of studies conducted by the Task Force on Community Preventive Services, an independent group of scientists partially funded by the federal government.

CDC Press Release:
http://www.cdc.gov/media/pressrel/2008/r080909.htm

Link to American Journal of Preventive Medicine Article:
http://www.ajpm-online.net/article/S0749-3797(08)00528-X/abstract

West Nile Virus

Recommendations for West Nile Virus Laboratory Testing - CDC / APHL
On September 5, 2008, the Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL) circulated a letter to state public health laboratories regarding concerns about the results of a West Nile virus (WNV) IgM capture ELISA assay performed at a commercial laboratory. CDC's Arboviral Diseases Branch (ADB) is currently working to obtain additional information regarding this issue. As new information becomes available, it will be shared with public health officials. If public health officials have concerns about West Nile virus testing results reported to their health department, ADB recommends that specimens be submitted to state laboratories for testing. As always, further testing is available at ADB's Diagnostic and Reference Laboratory for specimens with discordant results or that require additional confirmation. Additional information regarding submitting specimens to CDC can be found at:
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/misc/arboviral_shipping.htm

Seasonal Influenza

2008-2009 Flu Vaccines: Lot Release Status - FDA - Sept. 10
Flu vaccine lots that have been released by FDA and are available for distribution by the manufacturers. For information on flu vaccine distribution schedules, please contact the manufacturers directly.
http://www.fda.gov/cber/flu/flu2008.htm

Global Infectious Disease

General Principles for the Development of Vaccines to Protect Against Global Infectious Diseases - FDA - Sept. 8
In this guidance, FDA provides information to assist sponsors in developing vaccines to protect against global infectious diseases. The guidance will focus on development and licensure of vaccines targeted against infectious diseases or conditions endemic in areas outside the United States. In addition, the guidance will clarify regulations, statutes and guidances applicable to the development of these products.
http://www.fda.gov/cber/gdlns/gidvacc.htm

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