| Covid-19 Crisis Triage--Optimizing Health Outcomes and Disability Rights New England Journal of Medicine article offers policy recommendations for triage protocols that save the most lives and protect core values, such as the equal moral worth of all people. |
| Disability rights advocates are concerned that crisis triage protocols aimed at allocating scarce health care resources to save the most lives could be biased against people with disabilities. These concerns have prompted an investigation by the Office of Civil Rights at the Department of Health and Human Services and appeals to Congress to prohibit crisis triage based on “anticipated or demonstrated resource-intensity needs, the relative survival probabilities of patients deemed likely to benefit from medical treatment, and assessments of pre- or post-treatment quality of life.” An article published in the New England Journal of Medicine on May 19 gives policy recommendations that aim to meet the goals of allocating scarce resources primarily to save the most lives, but doing so in a way that explicitly protects core values. such as the equal moral worth of all people. The article, “Covid-19 Crisis Triage—Optimizing Health Outcomes and Disability Rights,” was written by Mildred Z. Solomon, EdD, president of The Hastings Center; Matthew K. Wynia, MD, MPH, a professor at the Colorado School of Medicine and the Colorado School of Public Health and director of the Center for Bioethics and Humanities at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus; and Lawrence O. Gostin, JD, director of the O’Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law at Georgetown Law School. “Allocation of ventilators has become symbolic of the difficult ethical choices we face, but the criteria and processes we recommend apply to any scarce medical resource,” the authors write. Crisis triage arises when not everyone can receive essential care. Some disability rights advocates argue that triage based on assessing patients’ likelihood of benefit is fundamentally incompatible with respect for human dignity. Instead, these advocates call for allocating ventilators and other resources on a first-come, first served basis. But this approach would result in more deaths overall and would leave many people with disabilities worse off, especially if they face barriers in accessing care, such as difficulty with transportation and communication, write Solomon, Wynia, and Gostin. “We believe that crisis triage protocols should focus on identifying the patients who are most likely to die without a ventilator yet most likely to survive with one, using the best available clinical survivability scores, not broad categorical exclusions,” they write. The authors recommend focusing on near-term survivability—living 1 year after hospital discharge—rather than on long-term survival because near-term survivability can be assessed more accurately, whereas long-term survival is hard to predict and, therefore, subject to bias. The most controversial triage protocols, the authors state, are those that aim to maximize the number of life-years saved, either by prioritizing young people over older ones or by giving lower priority to people with severe life-limiting illnesses. “Both kinds of life-year considerations are ethically acceptable, though only as tiebreakers,” they write. “Privileging younger patients is justifiable because it’s based not on stereotyping or bias against older patients but on equal opportunity and minimizing harm: the younger persons have had less opportunity to experience a full life and therefore would suffer greater harm if they were to die.” With regard to advanced illness, if two patients have the same likelihood of near-term survival, but one patient has advanced cancer and a low likelihood of 5-year survival, the authors say that it would be ethical to choose the person with the greater prospect of living longer. “It would not be acceptable, however, to assume that all patients with a given disability have shorter life expectancies than other patients and decide that therefore none should receive scarce resources,” they write. Solomon summed up the rationale for writing the paper. “Discrimination against the disabled in health care is well documented, so it behooves us to ensure that triage protocols do all they can to avoid bias,” she said. “Responsible health systems and health care leaders are doing the nation a service by anticipating the potential, tragic need for these protocols and working to design them as responsibly as possible.” Given that the science and epidemiology of Covid-19 are rapidly changing, the authors recommend that health care organizations consider current triage protocols provisional. “To ensure the trustworthiness of the health system,” they write, “disability rights advocates and health care leaders should work together to finalize crisis triage plans that save the most lives, protect the equal worth of all persons, and enhance communities’ capacity to heal in the wake of a once-in-a-century pandemic.” |
Author: trainitright
SALON DISTANCING 2.0 AFTER CORONAVIRUS
TIPS ON WHAT THE BEAUTY INDUSTRY (SALONS/SPAS) NEED TO DO BEFORE THEY REOPEN
While the unintended spread of infection is not new to the world salons and spas, the devastating impacts of COVID-19 have made it clear that we can no longer take germs for granted.
“This is especially relevant to hairdressers, nail technicians, aestheticians and massage therapists who do not have the luxury of distancing themselves from their clients or working behind plexiglass,” says Jeff Alford, president of The CBON Group, Canada’s largest supplier of professional infection control products.
Alford continues, “ If beauty professionals are to return to their jobs and work in an environment that is safe for staff and clients alike, significant changes will need to take place representing a shift to a “new norm” or 2.0 version of the industry from which we may never go back. This transformative change will come with a need for significant investment, retraining and re-purposing of a salons and spas for a new life in the age of coronavirus and future outbreaks.”
Alford says the Professional Beauty industry will have to make changes and offers these tips for salons and spas for when they reopen.
It All Starts with Education
- Beauty professionals apply their trade after having undertaken extensive schooling, on the job training and constant skills upgrading to offer their services in a highly competitive industry. Unfortunately, the knowledge acquired to address infection prevention has often times been inadequate and varied from learning institutions, licensing boards, regional bylaws and provincial health guidelines. While that is likely to change post coronavirus with more standardized regulation, returning workers will need to quickly get up to speed and become educated on the risks posed by germs to themselves and their clients if they are to confidently open their doors again. In addition to their stated profession, the role of "infection prevention practitioner” will accompany the “new norm" to allay the concerns and fears of an increasingly aware and scrutinizing customers.
Client Distancing
- We have become accustomed to measures that maintain a safe space from others in a bid to contain the spread of COVID-19 like standing apart in checkouts, curb side pick-up and physical barriers that protect staff. However, in the close proximity, hands-on world of salon and spa treatments this may not always be possible. To minimize the risk of exposure, we may begin to see the elimination of waiting areas, reduction of the number of workstations, fewer appointments and other steps taken to distance clients from staff and each other. Every service may require different solutions: nail technicians working behind “sneeze guards”; hairdressers no longer offering blow dries, massage therapists wearing gloves, face shields for aestheticians, etc. There won’t a be a one-stop solution as each salon and spa will need to address their own levels of risk to take appropriate action.
Client Screening
- It has long been a practice for under-the-weather clients to take a "spa day" as a bit of pampering indulgence. This activity was especially prevalent during the flu season when the spread of germs would lead to others being infected and in turn missing work. During the 2018-19 influenza period, nearly 50,000 cases were recorded in Canada. Given COVID-19’s contagiousness and no available vaccine, this behaviour cannot be allowed to continue. In the new 2.0 salon and spa world, customers can expect rigorous screening at the door that could include temperature taking, checklist for symptoms and required use of face masks while receiving service. Only in so doing can beauty professionals protect themselves, their clients and their business.
Increased Sanitation Practices
- The virus that causes COVID-19 can remain viable on surfaces from hours to a few days. It will therefore be critical to undertake disinfection of all client touch points which will include workstations, treatment furniture, counters, waiting areas, washrooms, etc. This activity should take place between each appointment and be allowed the requisite contact time which can be anywhere from 3 to 10 minutes. Not all disinfectants are the same and salons and spa owners should undertake a full investigation of the options—for example, some disinfectants don’t come with a Health Canada approved claim against coronavirus. Others are accompanied by harsh side effects through prolonged exposure like eye and skin irritation or respiratory issues. The new salon "infection prevention practitioner" will need to become very familiar with precautionary label language, correct usage, compatibility issues to ensure germs, bacteria and viruses are being appropriately removed from their facilities.
Engagement
- The post coronavirus age will represent a new partnership between businesses and consumers. We are experiencing unprecedented measures being taken to protect workers as we frequent retail stores and services, and in turn we practice social distancing and respect the steps taken to avoid the spread of infection. The professional beauty industry will have a similar relationship with their clients who are eager to return to receiving the treatments they’ve had to go without for some time. But this group is now more aware and will expect to see how their salons and spas are responding to these challenging times. The extra security may come with an ask for payment of a “coronavirus surcharge” or other considerations but these will be viewed as necessary to ensure everyone’s safety.
| RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE BC & YUKON INTRODUCES STEP UP FOR FAMILIES, A VIRTUAL FUNDRAISER Go the (social) distance and support families of RMH BC through the month of June  Vancouver, BC (May 20, 2020): Ronald McDonald House BC & Yukon (RMH BC) is thrilled to announce Step Up for Families: Going the (Social) Distance, a virtual fundraising challenge that encourages the public to stay active – practicing safe social distancing, of course! – to raise money for families staying at RMH BC while their children receive life-saving medical care.Taking place through the month of June, Step Up for Families calls on the community, including RMH BC supporters, friends, families and corporate groups to achieve their movement goals while raising money for RMH BC families. Participants are encouraged to walk, run, or roll a total of 73km within the month, symbolizing the 73-room House that shelters parents and siblings of children requiring care at BC Children’s Hospital. All individuals in a team may tally their distances together to reach the 73km goal. Each participant or team is challenged to raise a minimum of $125, which covers the cost of one family staying at the House for one night. The event is open to people of all ages, abilities and fitness levels who wish to support families of RMH BC.   |
| “We are so excited to launch Step Up for Families this summer, and give people the opportunity to help families with sick children simply by spending time outdoors,” says Sunshine Purificacion, Director of Community Development at RMH BC. “No matter where you live, you can join in as we go the (social) distance to support 2,000 families every year who rely on RMH BC for accommodation, guidance and compassion during an extremely difficult and stressful time.” Step Up for Families participants can track their progress virtually using any fitness tracking apps like Strava, MarkMyRunor, tracking devices such as Fitbit, Garmin or mobile phones. Each time a run or walk is completed, participants may submit their results on the Step Up for Families website. The site will generate a personal fundraising page, which means every online donation will be automatically sent to RMH BC to cover the cost of families staying at the House.  "The running and fitness community in Vancouver is a dedicated and motivated group,” says Phil Moore, founder of popular local sporting goods stores LadySport and FitFirst Footwear. “Doing what we love to do for a great cause is a win-win situation. Our stores have supported families at the House for some time now and we are happy to partner with RMH BC on this great initiative."Though $125 is the suggested fundraising goal, as it represents one night’s accommodation at the House, fitness superstars who raise additional funds will be entered into a draw to win prizes such as gear from LadySport or a Garmin Forerunner 35 Smartwatch. Extreme walkers or runners can soar above and beyond their fitness goals by striving for milestones such as $875 (one week’s accommodation for one family); $1,500 (12 days’ accommodation for one family, or the average length of stay at RMH BC); or $3,750 (one month’s accommodation for one family). Remember, as you go the distance for RMH BC families be sure to maintain social distancing of at least six feet!To register for the event:Register for free as an individual or teamAssemble your team & fundraiseStep Up in June & complete the 73km goalSupport the families that find a home away from home at RMH BCFor more information about Step Up for Families or to get involved, please visit Rmhbc.ca or contact community@rmhbc.ca. You can also share your fitness fundraising online using the following social media handles – and don’t forget to tag RMH BC with the hashtag #StepUpForFamilies. For extra family fun, participants are encouraged to share a short video on social media about their motivation for stepping up for RMH BC. Videos can also be sent to community@rmhbc.ca.-###- About Ronald McDonald House BC & Yukon Each year, 2,000 families from across British Columbia and the Yukon travel to Vancouver in search of life-saving treatment for their children. Far from their homes, they desperately need affordable accommodation and a place to stay together under one roof. Ronald McDonald House® BC and Yukon offers a home away from home, a community of support, and a restful space for families to heal better together. Rmhbc.ca |
Five "Spiritual Stretches" to Help Nurses Stay Connected
to the Difference They Make (Just in Time for Nurses Month)
Rich Bluni offers five exercises to help you reclaim hope, meaning, and purpose.
Put them into practice during National Nurses Month.
Pensacola, FL (May 2020)—If you're a nurse, it's hard not to feel a little hopeless in the fight against COVID-19. Like other frontline workers, you're running a marathon day in and day out with no finish line in sight. There's a constant barrage of bad news. Everything seems bleak. Rich Bluni says in circumstances like these, it's vital to feel that your work has meaning.
"It's more crucial than ever to proactively tap into the meaning behind what you do," says Bluni, himself an RN with over 25 years of experience in the ER, Trauma, and ICU and author of best-selling books Inspired Nurse (Huron|Studer Group Publishing, 2009, ISBN: 978-0-9749986-7-1, $24.95) and Inspired Nurse Too (Huron|Studer Group Publishing, 2016, ISBN: 978-1-6221804-6-2, $28.00). "Reconnecting to the sense that you serve a greater purpose is what keeps you going."
Staying inspired isn't easy even in the best of times, says Bluni. Nursing is always hard work. But in times like these, it's as necessary as breathing and eating. National Nurses Month—an expansion of National Nurses Week, which is traditionally May 6-12—is the perfect time to reconnect to the why of your work.
Bluni—who is currently sharing stories and tactics from Inspired Nurse in short video segments—says simple exercises can help. Here are five "spiritual stretches" to put into practice right away. (Bluni recommends doing at least one of them daily.)
1. Take ten minutes of purpose. Before leaving your house for work today, allow for ten extra minutes. Get up earlier, shut off the TV, and if you are still living with your family, ask them to give you some "me" time (that in and of itself might be an impressive accomplishment!). Sit someplace peaceful and quiet.
During this time, think about an occasion when you felt that you made a difference as a nurse—an occasion in which you felt connected to your purpose. Perhaps think of this moment as your "most inspiring nursing experience ever."
Now, close your eyes and relive that experience. Remember the sounds and the sights. Hear the voices. Hear the monitor bells; see the defibrillator reach its charge. Get back there. Your goal is to recreate the whole experience for yourself.
Embrace the feeling of purpose. Feel the sense of pride, of accomplishment. Your mind doesn't know the difference between it really happening and the memory. Feel that inspiration. Feel all the feelings that you felt. The joy. The spirit. Stay there for several minutes.
When your ten minutes are up, open your eyes. How do you feel? If you haven't felt close to your purpose for a while, this is a good way to get started.
2. Thank a family member (or friend) for his or her support. What family member, significant other, or friend has been a key to your nursing success? More recently, who has supported you during the pandemic? Maybe your neighbor collected funds and sent you and your team a meal at work. Maybe a friend dropped off a week's worth of groceries so you can limit your exposure to the public.
Few of us take this journey without anyone's help. Who has offered you support? Does she know how much you appreciate what she does for you? Tell her. Write her, call her, bring her flowers.
By feeding you, or paying your way, or driving you, or being a shoulder to cry on, that person has made it possible for you to save lives. Give credit where credit is due. Let her know that every time you comfort the suffering, teach a new nurse, lead a team, or bring peace to the dying, she is right there with you. This will be an unforgettable experience.
3. Notice the miraculous. During your time as a nurse, have you experienced something that you can't explain? An amazing recovery? A healing that left the team scratching their heads in disbelief?
Working in healthcare, you have no doubt either experienced a COVID-related miracle recovery firsthand or at least have heard about them. If you haven't yet experienced that personally, do you know of someone who has? What was his or her story?
Today, take notice of the miraculous. Maybe you are a spiritual person and believe in a Higher Power. Or maybe you are more aligned with science and believe that mysterious phenomena could be explained scientifically. It really doesn't matter.
What is important is that you get in touch with that which is bigger than you. Journal about what a "miracle" is to you. If it is a story that you recall, write it down. If it is something that you are hoping for, whether it be for a patient or a friend, journal about it.
4. Humor heals. Give yourself permission to laugh. Using your journal, write down what you think is funny. Who is your favorite comedic actor or actress? What movies make you laugh? Who is the funniest person you know? Who makes you laugh at work? Who always has a funny joke to tell, an embarrassing story, or great witty comebacks? Is it you? Ponder what laughter means to you.
We have two choices in life: We laugh or we cry. Sometimes we laugh so hard we cry; sometimes we cry so much we eventually start to laugh at how ridiculous the situation is. This doesn't mean we don't acknowledge the seriousness of what's happening in the world right now—of course we do. Sometimes, for the average nurse, we are laughing and crying within a 15-minute time span at work!
Knowing that laughter and tears are often interchangeable, think about how you can choose laughter. Do you take yourself so seriously that you've become rigid? How can you make humor a mainstay? Can you or the team you're on this journey with find a way to make this an "everyday" thing? Laughter heals the soul and resets the mind.
5. Give of your time and knowledge. Even if you can't do volunteer work right now due to the pandemic, you can plan it, look for it, talk about it with your peers or friends, ask questions, journal about it, inquire about it, and put the wheels in motion.
You will be really amazed at what may come up today. Someone may invite you to participate in a webinar on health and hygiene tips that just so happens to fall on your day off. Or once "this" is all over, you may choose to contact your place of worship or community center and find that there's a need for you to help with free blood pressure screenings or virtual lectures on diabetes.
Giving of your time and expertise serves the dual purpose of inspiring self and inspiring others. The caring heart you possess as a nurse needs to be fed. Not doing so deprives you of the fuel you need to sustain your spirit in this field.
"Your inspiration is your superpower," concludes Bluni. "It helps you to persevere under extreme pressure and stay strong for your patients. Don't give up. Instead, let these 'spiritual stretches' keep you in top condition as you meet the challenges of this pandemic head-on and come out stronger on the other side."
# # #
About the Author:
Rich Bluni, RN, is the author of the best-selling books Inspired Nurse, Oh No...Not More of That Fluffy Stuff!, and Inspired Nurse Too. He has an active and popular Facebook page called Inspired Nurse.
Rich has been an RN since 1993. He has worked as a nurse in Adolescent Oncology, Pediatric ICU, and Trauma ICU departments as well as serving as a pediatric flight and transport nurse. He has served as an ED nursing manager as well as a senior director of risk management, quality, and patient safety.
He came to Studer Group in 2007 as a coach working with dozens of healthcare organizations and leaders to drive outstanding results. He is presently a senior director with Huron and a Studer Group national speaker, having traveled across North America to speak in front of hundreds of thousands of healthcare workers and leaders in hundreds of healthcare organizations, large healthcare conferences, as well as virtual webinars.
For more information, please visit www.studergroup.com/people/rich-bluni.
About the Books:
Inspired Nurse Too (Huron|Studer Group Publishing, 2016, ISBN: 978-1-6221804-6-2, $28.00) and Inspired Nurse (Huron|Studer Group Publishing, 2009, ISBN: 978-0-9749986-7-1, $24.95) are available from major online booksellers and the Huron|Studer Group website.
Artist Releases Coming-of-age Memoir Detailing Her Journey With Mental Illness And Disability
Long Island, NY, May 20, 2020 – It started as a college prank; a friend offered Ruth Poniarski a brownie that, unbeknownst to her, was laced with angel dust. What resulted was a debilitating accident, and the first of many mental breakdowns that spiraled into diagnoses of psychosis, schizophrenia, severe anxiety, and bipolar disorder.
Long Island native Ruth Poniarski has released her first book, Journey of the Self: Memoir of an Artist, published by Charlotte, North Carolina-based Warren Publishing. Poniarski’s unflinchingly honest memoir shares her coming-of-age story through the lenses of mental illness, disability, and steadfast determination.
For years, Poniarski struggled to cope with her new reality as she undertook a rigorous architectural program, sought out new friends (and the perfect mate), and battled through the depths of mental illness. Her journey led her in all directions as she sought comfort, solace, stability and love.
Now an accomplished artist, Poniarski considers her memoir to be a portrait of sorts. “This book, like many of my paintings, is about introspection,” she says. “So many of us, particularly when we’re young, seek definition through labels or through what others think of us. It’s so easy to say, ‘I have bipolar disorder, therefore, X’ or ‘So and so doesn’t love me the way I love him, therefore, Y.’ But none of that is who we truly are.”
The release of Poniarski’s memoir is particularly timely in light of the Coronavirus pandemic and social distancing orders. “A lot of people are stuck at home right now. This kind of isolation forces a person to examine themselves; what makes them unique beyond who they are to society,” says Poniarski. “That kind of self-reflection allows us to become more available to others. You have to know yourself first.”
“So, who am I?” Poniarski laughs. “Well … you’ll just have to read the book!”
For more information about Ruth Poniarski or her book, please visit: ruthponiarski.com.
Journey of the Self: Memoir of an Artist
222 pages/Paperback/$15.95
ISBN: 978-1734707557
Available at warrenpublishing.net, amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com, or wherever books are sold.
###
Research shows hydroxychloroquine has substantial survival benefit among patients with systemic lupus erythematosus in the general population
VANCOUVER, May 20, 2020 /CNW/ - An Arthritis Research Canada study has revealed substantial survival benefit associated with the current use of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), and increased mortality with recent discontinuation among individuals with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in the general population.
Hydroxychloroquine is an often prescribed medication for lupus patients given the number of benefits it offers, including a reduction in disease severity and its ability to lower the risk of lupus nephritis and several other comorbidities such as hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, venous thromboembolism, and pregnancy complications. While it has shown significant survival benefit among patients who receive specialized care, this benefit has not been previously demonstrated with the general population until now.
"The study supports the additional benefit of hydroxychloroquine in preventing premature death in patients with lupus, regardless of what type of lupus patients may have. Staying on hydroxychloroquine, will save your life," said Dr. J. Antonio Avina-Zubieta, senior research scientist at Arthritis Research Canada who conducted the study.
The research team used anonymous administrative health data which includes information on demographics, vital statistics, healthcare visits, and prescription history to study all patients. Users of hydroxychloroquine were designated into four categories based on the timeframe between their last prescription date (i.e. end of medication supply) and index rate (i.e. death rate). These categories include current users (<30 days), recent users (30-365 days), remote users (>365 days), or never used.
"Hydroxychloroquine is a life-saving medication for lupus patients that should never be stopped if tolerated. Taking hydroxychloroquine as prescribed by a physician can help avoid premature death for lupus patients. One of the highlights of our study, is the findings apply to the average patient with lupus. We know that often patients believe when it comes to medications, less is better – this study showed that this is not the case for hydroxychloroquine. In the current COVID-19 pandemic, this medication was suggested as a potential therapy for COVID-19 patients which resulted in a potential shortage. Lupus patients need to make sure they have their supply secured by their pharmacy," Dr. Avina-Zubieta continued.
In the long term, researchers hope future studies can further explore the potential link between hydroxychloroquine discontinuation and increased mortality as well as its impact on other systemic lupus erythematosus related outcomes.
About ARTHRITIS RESEARCH CANADA:
Arthritis Research Canada is the largest clinical arthritis research institution in North America. Our mission is to transform the lives of people living with arthritis through research and engagement. Led by world-renowned rheumatologist, Dr. John Esdaile, Arthritis Research Canada's scientific team of over 100 are creating a future where people living with arthritis are empowered to triumph over pain and disability. With four centres across Canada in British Columbia, Alberta and Quebec (Laval and McGill Universities), Arthritis Research Canada is leading research aimed at arthritis prevention, early diagnosis, new and better treatment, and improved quality of life.
SOURCE Arthritis Research Canada
Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association calls for more compassionate visitation protocols during COVID-19 pandemic
OTTAWA, May 21, 2020 /CNW/ - In response to inconsistent and in some cases extreme restrictions on end-of-life visitations across Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association (CHPCA) and the CHPCA Champion's Council are calling on health authorities to implement a more compassionate approach.
While certain provinces have taken steps to relax visitation protocols for end-of-life situations, many hospitals and long-term care homes still do not allow family access, even with personal protective equipment (PPE).
"Every Canadian deserves the chance to say goodbye to their loved ones, even in an unprecedented crisis such as COVID-19. There have been too many heartbreaking stories of families who were unable to say goodbye due to extreme restrictions on end-of-life visitations." said Sharon Baxter, Executive Director at the CHPCA. "While health and safety must continue to be paramount as we fight COVID-19, we can do better as a society by promoting a more compassionate, inclusive visitation protocol that embraces hospice palliative care principles and dying with dignity.
"The CHPCA, which serves as the Secretariat for the Quality End of Life Care Coalition of Canada (QELCCC), is urging health authorities and providers to deliver on three key asks:
- Adopt a compassionate protocol that allows those nearing death to say goodbye to their families and loved ones, and follows safety measures including PPE requirements as indicated by the Public Health Agency of Canada. This can be achieved by reviewing current public health protocols to include a compassionate approach around end-of-life visitations.
- Liaise with the hospice palliative care (HPC) community to exchange expertise in caring for the dying and the bereaved. Many of the approximately 265,000 Canadians who die each year are supported by HPC, so the CHPCA and its partners have extensive experience in this area and valuable learnings to share.
- Offer grief and bereavement support services for those who lose a family member or loved one. Existing grief and bereavement services are extremely limited and not necessarily funded by the health care system. There are significant long-term implications Canada could face if growing demand is not addressed.
"Together, these recommendations will help Canadians say goodbye and deal with their loss in a way that protects the safety of frontline health care workers and prevents transmission of COVID-19," added Russell Williams, chair of the CHPCA's Champion's Council. "We look forward to collaborating with health care providers on this important issue."
About The Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association
The CHPCA is the national voice for Hospice Palliative Care in Canada. Advancing and advocating for quality end-of-life/hospice palliative care in Canada, its work includes public policy, public education and awareness. Established in 1991, its volunteer Board of Directors is composed of hospice palliative care workers and volunteers from Canadian provinces and territories as well as members-at-large.
SOURCE Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association
Switch Health Launches First Mobile Rapid Testing Unit (MRTU) to Fight COVID-19 in Canada
TORONTO, May 21, 2020 /CNW/ - Today, May 21, 2020, Switch Health Holdings Inc. (Switch Health) is pleased to announce the launch of its first Mobile Rapid Testing Unit (MRTU), designed to assist in the fight against COVID-19. Switch Health, a Canadian health solutions provider focused on patient-centered point-of-care, has partnered with leading Canadian laboratories to expand COVID-19 testing across the country.
Switch Health has an initial fleet of 30 rapid testing vehicles, staffed with registered healthcare professionals, support staff, and personal protection equipment, with ability to rapidly deploy 250 MRTUs. Switch Health staff are trained in nasopharyngeal swabbing specimen collection, which will then be delivered to lab partners to run testing diagnostics. As well, Switch Health has entered into a strategic partnership with a leading onsite DNA detection platform to offer point-of-care testing.
Switch Health MRTUs have the capacity to test entire enterprises and communities efficiently, including elder care facilities, remote communities, and essential businesses and organizations. Such widespread and targeted testing will assist in providing the confidence necessary for individuals, employees and businesses to safely open the economy.
Switch Health is able to rapidly respond to COVID-19 flare-ups and presents an enduring solution to assist preventing further economic and societal shutdown. Specific to business, the Switch Health solution comprises initial and ongoing testing combined with regulated facilities entry surveillance monitoring by proven and tested hardware and workplace sanitization.
"COVID-19 is an all-hands-on-deck situation which is why we've crafted our public health and business to business solutions to help Canada get back on track," says Marc Thomson, Chief Operating Officer at Switch Health.
"Testing is the key to opening society, restarting the economy, and most importantly, saving lives. By being able to rapidly identify, test, trace, and isolate COVID-19 cases, Switch Health will be a long-term partner to keep Canadians safe and healthy, and our economy strong," Mr. Thomson added.
About Switch Health:
Switch Health is a leader in connected disease management, having worked with pharmaceutical companies to assist in developing modern connected diabetes diagnostic devices, and more recently in the arena of technology transfer, licensing, distribution, and deployment of broader diagnostic devices, services, and their required secure digital platforms.
Switch Health currently services clients across Canada, USA, Switzerland, Germany, UK, Australia, South Africa, Spain and Singapore. The Switch Health team prides itself with world-class advisors and medical researchers, and has long standing relationships with clients such as McKesson, Ascensia, Bayer, Takeda, Roche, and AstraZeneca.
SOURCE Switch Health Inc.
The Warrior’s Meditation Shares Best-Kept Secret In Stress Relief And Self-Improvement
Portland, OR, May 21, 2020 — The Warrior's Meditation by Richard L. Haight, the award-winning author of The Unbound Soul, makes transformative meditation accessible to the masses, with short, daily sessions that don’t require periods of isolation.
“The Warrior's Meditation is unlike any other meditation. This method is flexible in application, which allows it to blend with whatever your day has in store,” Haight says.
Perfect for people of all backgrounds and skill levels, The Warrior’s Meditationteaches an instinctive, non-religious form of Samurai meditation that is both practical and extremely effective.
Through daily meditation, practitioners can experience the following cognitive and physical benefits, among many others:
1. Improved immune function; decreased cellular inflammation and pain.
2. Increased positive emotions; less anxiety, depression and stress.
3. Increased emotional intelligence and compassion; reduced feelings of insecurity.
4. Increased gray matter in areas related to paying attention, positive emotions, emotional regulation and self-control.
5. Improved memory, creativity and abstract thinking.
Life is busy, and few people have time to spend hours a day in meditation. With The Warrior's Meditation, readers can experience profound clarity and awareness wherever they are and eventually embody meditation as a way of being.
Author Richard L. Haight is a master-level instructor of martial, meditation and healing arts. He began formal martial arts training at age 12 and moved to Japan at the age of 24 to advance his training with masters of the sword, staff and aiki-jujutsu.
During his 15 years in Japan, Haight was awarded masters licenses in four samurai arts as well as a traditional healing art called sotai-ho. He is one of the world's foremost experts in the traditional Japanese martial arts.
Through his books, his meditation and martial arts seminars, Haight is helping to ignite a worldwide movement for personal transformation that is free of all constraints and open to anyone of any level. He now lives and teaches in southern Oregon.
For more information, please visit richardlhaight.com.
The Warrior's Meditation: The Best-Kept Secret in Self-Improvement, Cognitive Enhancement, and Stress Relief, Taught by a Master of Four Samurai Arts
Publisher: Shinkaikan Body, Mind, Spirit LLC
ISBN-10: 0999210092
ISBN-13: 978-0999210093
Paperback available at all online bookstores.
APA STRESS IN AMERICA REPORT: HIGH STRESS RELATED TO CORONAVIRUS IS THE NEW NORMAL FOR MANY PARENTS
Online learning, basic needs, missing milestones contribute to parental stress
WASHINGTON — Nearly half of parents of children under age 18 say their stress levels related to the coronavirus pandemic are high, with managing their kids’ online learning a significant source of stress for many, according to a new survey by the American Psychological Association.
As the global pandemic continues and parents juggle child care, work and schooling demands, the mental health toll on parents is growing, warns APA. At the same time, the proportion of Americans saying that the economy or work is a significant source of stress in their life has risen significantly.
“For many parents, it can feel overwhelming to face competing demands at home and work along with possible financial challenges during this unprecedented crisis,” said Arthur C. Evans Jr., PhD, APA’s chief executive officer. “Children are keen observers and often notice and react to stress or anxiety in their parents, caregivers, peers and community. Parents should prioritize their self-care and try their best to model healthy ways of coping with stress and anxiety.”
Stress in America 2020 Stress in the Time of Coronavirus, Volume 1, was conducted by The Harris Poll from April 24 to May 4, 2020, and surveyed online 3,013 adults age 18+ who reside in the United States. This is the first of at least three monthly surveys APA and The Harris Poll plan to gauge the impact of the pandemic on stress.
The survey found that 46% of parents say their average stress level related to the coronavirus pandemic is high (between 8 and 10 on a 10-point scale where 1 means “little or no stress” and 10 means “a great deal of stress”). Only 28% of adults who don’t have children under the age of 18 report similar levels of stress.
With schools closed and many parents working from home while coordinating their children’s schedules, 71% of parents say managing distance/online learning for their children is a significant source of stress.
Parents are more likely than those without children to say basic needs—such as access to food and housing—are a significant source of stress (70% compared with 44%). Other significant stressors for parents include access to health care services (66% vs. 44%) and missing major milestones, such as weddings and graduation ceremonies (63% vs. 43%).
As unemployment numbers have reached record highs, the economy and work have increased as stressors for Americans. The current survey found that the economy is a significant source of stress for 70% of adults, compared with 46% in APA’s 2019 Stress in America poll. Current stress levels are similar to the levels seen in the 2008 Stress in America poll during the Great Recession. Similarly, 7 in 10 employed adults say work is a significant source of stress in their lives, compared with 64% in the 2019 survey.
Pandemic-related stress is having a disproportionate impact on communities of color. People of color are more likely than white adults to report significant stressors in their life as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, namely getting coronavirus (71% vs. 59%, respectively), basic needs (61% vs. 47%), and access to health care services (59% vs. 46%). Slightly more than 2 in 5 Hispanic adults (41%) say their average level of stress related to the coronavirus pandemic during the past month was between 8 and 10. Hispanic adults are also most likely to say they constantly or often feel stress as a result of the pandemic (37%), as compared with white (32%), black (32%), Native American (31%), and Asian (28%) adults.
“The mental health ramifications of the coronavirus pandemic are immense and growing,” Evans warned. “We need to prepare for the long-term implications of the collective trauma facing the population. On an individual level, this means looking out for one another, staying connected, keeping active and seeking help when necessary.”
To read Stress in America 2020 Stress in the Time of Coronavirus, Volume 1 in full or to download graphics, visit the Stress in America Press Room webpage. APA also offers resourcesfor the public on mental health during the time of COVID-19, including resources specially for parents and on racial equity and health disparities.
Methodology
Wave 1 of the COVID Tracker was conducted online within the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of the American Psychological Association between April 24 and May 4, 2020, among 3,013 adults age 18+ who reside in the U.S. Interviews were conducted in English and Spanish. Data were weighted to reflect their proportions in the population based on the 2019 Current Population Survey by the U.S. Census Bureau. Weighting variables included age by gender, race/ethnicity, education, region, household income and time spent online. Hispanic adults also were weighted for acculturation, taking into account respondents’ household language as well as their ability to read and speak in English and Spanish. Country of origin (U.S./non-U.S.) also was included for Hispanic and Asian subgroups. Weighting variables for Gen Z adults (ages 18 to 23) included education, age by gender, race/ethnicity, region, household income and size of household. Propensity score weighting was used to adjust for respondents’ propensity to be online. Because the sample is based on those who were invited and agreed to participate in research panels, no estimates of theoretical sampling error can be calculated.
