- Practice
New Recommendations for Health Care Providers: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared a global pandemic related to the current outbreak of a novel coronavirus — here is what nurse practitioners (NPs) need to know.
Last updated May 13, 2020. For up-to-date information, please visit this page.
The first cases of the novel (new) coronavirus were reported in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. Describing a respiratory illness with symptoms of fever, cough and shortness of breath, COVID-19 is different than coronaviruses that are already known to circulate among humans, including 229E, NL63, OC43 and HKU1.
COVID-19 also differs from SARS-CoV, first reported in 2002, or MERS-CoV, first reported in 2012. However, genetic analyses have suggested that the COVID-19 may have emerged from a virus related to SARS.
Illness severity has varied, with reports ranging from very mild cases (including some with no reported symptoms) to severe cases resulting in death. Older adults, people who live in nursing homes or long-term care facilities and people with severe underlying health conditions or compromised immune systems reportedly are at higher risk of developing serious COVID-19 illness.
The American Association of Nurse Practitioners® (AANP) is committed to providing members with up-to-date clinical and policy resources and information related to the COVID-19 pandemic and National Emergency Declaration.
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Tracking the Spread of COVID-19
Human-to-human transmission has now been confirmed in China and other countries around the world, including within the U.S. WHO has released daily situation reports monitoring the spread, treatment recommendations and response to the outbreak. It also maintains an updated situation dashboard on COVID-19 cases globally and reports that there have been 4,179,479 confirmed cases and 287,525 confirmed deaths worldwide.
The CDC reports that there have been 1,364,061 total cases and 82,246 deaths in the U.S. All states are reporting community spread of COVID-19.
The United States Census Bureau has created a dashboard to show states' COVID-19 impact planning reports, nationwide demographic and economic analysis and additional data on how the pandemic is impacting communities and Americans across the U.S.
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Guidelines and Recommendations
The CDC currently recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain and especially within areas that are seeing significant community-based transmission.
The CDC has released interim guidance for health care professionals in the U.S. to combat the spread of this illness, including but not limited to guidance on:
- Evaluating and testing.
- Infection control.
- Decontamination and reuse of filtering facepiece respirators (FFRs).
- Optimizing the supply of N95 respirators.
- Home care.
- Clinical care.
- Managing health care personnel with potential exposure.
- Health care facilities.
- Long-term care facilities and nursing homes.
- Correctional and detention facilities.
- Outpatient hemodialysis facilities.
- Homeless service providers.
The CDC has developed an rRT-PCR test to diagnose COVID-19. As of May 12, 9,724,879 tests have been completed. As of April 20, the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) is overseeing 72 clinical trials of potential therapies for COVID-19.
On March 16, President Trump announced COVID-19 guidelines for the U.S., which were extended through April 30. The White House has since released Guidelines for Opening Up America Again. These include necessary criteria before states begin their phased openings, what states need to do to prepare to open and guidelines for each phase of opening.
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Ongoing Updates — Webinars
A nonaccredited webinar on hospital capacity and patient flow presented by the Patient-centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) is available at no cost. The first webinar in the series discussed how incident command structures can be utilized to coordinate a response to COVID-19.
The National Academy of Medicine (NAM) and the American Public Health Association have launched a nonaccredited webinar series to explore the current science about COVID-19. Webinar topics include crisis standards of care during COVID-19, the science behind social distancing and the impact of COVID-19 on long-term health. A NAM committee has also reviewed the effectiveness of homemade fabric masks, potential effects of seasonal and temperature changes and how infected patients spread COVID-19. The committee was assembled in March at the request of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
The National Council for Behavioral Health (NCBH) will be hosting a COVID-19 Office Hour: Promoting Staff Wellness and Retention webinar on Thursday, May 14, at 2 p.m. CT.
COVID-19 Policy and Practice Updates
AANP is closely tracking policy developments in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
AANP is committed to keeping you up to date, including by providing details on federal- and state-issued waivers and flexibilities for NPs and increased access to telehealth. Information included is related to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) waivers, emergency state actions and licensure information and other policy guidance.
Infectious Disease: COVID-19 Update
AANP is compiling educational and clinical information regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, including a look at symptoms, testing, infection control, protection for health care providers and current, approved treatment options and investigational treatments.
Two patient education infographics, designed to provide information on common symptoms and tips on protecting oneself and others from COVID-19, are now available for download.
Teaming Up to Provide Free Hotel Rooms to Nurse Practitioners (NPs)
American Express (AmEx), Hilton and AANP have partnered to donate up to one million free hotel nights to AANP members and other front-line medical professionals. Complete your reservation through AANP to book up to seven consecutive nights free of charge.
What COVID-19 Needs Are You Seeing in Your Community?
AANP is engaged in ongoing discussions to ensure that The Voice of the Nurse Practitioner® is heard. Please share your experience with COVID-19 in your community, including:
- What you are seeing in terms of testing issues.
- If there are shortages of staff, equipment or testing kits in your area.
- What is needed most to help you meet patients' needs.
- What state and federal legislators and governmental agencies need to know about what you are experiencing on the front lines of health care.