- Practice
Infectious Disease
AANP Resources by Therapeutic Area
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Update
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is responding to an outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel (new) coronavirus that was first detected in December 2019. The World Health Organization (WHO) characterized the COVID-19 outbreak as a pandemic on March 11, 2020.
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Symptoms
CDC
Among hospitalized patients, research frequently reports that the signs and symptoms of COVID-19 include:
- Fever.
- Cough.
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing.
- Myalgia or fatigue.
- Muscle or body aches.
- Sore throat.
- Headache.
- Chills or repeated shaking with chills.
- New loss of taste or smell.
- Nausea or vomiting.
- Diarrhea.
Some patients have experienced gastrointestinal symptoms, such as diarrhea and nausea, prior to developing fever and lower respiratory tract signs and symptoms.
American College of Gastroenterology
The American College of Gastroenterology, in partnership with other gastroenterology (GI) organizations, has released a message sharing additional GI-related COVID-19 symptoms:
- The incidence of GI symptoms including nausea and/or diarrhea are uncertain with some reports below 5% and others at 50%. There have been some reports of isolated diarrhea preceding cough and fever.
- The virus may be present in GI secretions and viral RNA is detectable in stool. Gastrointestinal infection and potential fecal-oral transmission must be considered.
- Asymptomatic spread can occur during the prodromal phase (the mean incubation period is around five days, with a range of zero to 14 days), with viral shedding greatest when symptoms begin.
- Abnormal liver enzymes are observed in 20-30% of patients confirmed to have COVID-19.
- Leukocyte counts drop in patients confirmed to have COVID-19, and elevated white blood cell count is a poor prognostic sign.
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High-risk Conditions
CDC
Reported cases have ranged from very mild, including some with no reported symptoms, to severe cases resulting in death. Those who are at a higher risk of developing serious COVID-19 symptoms include:
- Adults aged 65 years or older.
- People who have serious underlying medical conditions, such as heart disease, chronic kidney disease, diabetes, asthma, lung disease and more.
- People who live in a nursing home or long-term care facility.
In addition to clinical symptoms, nurse practitioners (NPs) may want to consider whether:
- The patient has recently traveled from an affected area.
- The patient has been in close contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19 or someone diagnosed with pneumonia of an unknown cause.
- The patient resides in an area where there has been community spread of COVID-19.
- The patient is currently experiencing homelessness.
- The patient smokes or is exposed to secondhand smoke.
- The patient is currently pregnant or breastfeeding.
- The patient is of an ethnic or racial minority.
The CDC is currently investigating reports of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) associated with COVID-19. Clinicians who have cared or are caring for patients younger than 21 years of age meeting MIS-C criteria should report suspected cases to their local, state or territorial health department.
Federal Drug Administration (FDA)
To keep patients with diabetes and health care providers protected from exposure, the FDA has released answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) regarding patients' use of home-use glucose meters while hospitalized due to COVID-19.
American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association (AARDA)
This association offers two webinars on COVID-19 and its effects on people with autoimmune diseases. One is a nationwide dialogue with leading medical experts, and the second focuses on the impact of stress on autoimmune patients and coping strategies.
Additional Updates:
- In the newest edition of AARDA's INSIGHT newsletter, the executive director of The Myositis Association (TMA) is interviewed. She discusses the work of TMA, myositis and COVID-19.
American College of Cardiology (ACC)
ACC's Science and Quality Committee summarized current data on the risk, potential need for hemostasis or coagulation testing, VTE prophylaxis and therapeutic anticoagulation in patients with COVID-19 without confirmed/suspected thrombosis in the form of a useful FAQs sheet.
In addition, a consensus statement from ACC, the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI) and the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) outlines recommendations for a systematic approach for the care of patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Additional Updates:
- The Journal of the American College of Cardiology has released guidance for triaging and allocating resources during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as guidance for patients with cardiovascular disease, health care workers and health systems during the COVID-19 pandemic.
American Diabetes Association (ADA)
ADA has hosted a webinar series for health care providers and people with diabetes during the COVID-19 pandemic, ranging from the impact COVID-19 can have on youth with diabetes and families in quarantine to inpatient care questions.
American Heart Association (AHA)
The AHA has released a new Circulation journal article on the spectrum of cardiac manifestations in COVID-19. The study found that LV systolic function is preserved in the majority of patients, but LV diastolic and RV function are impaired.
The AHA is making adjustments to its quality improvement programs in response to COVID-19. Review how this may impact your facility.
Additional Updates:
- AHA has released new Circulation journal articles addressing acute heart failure in multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) in the context of COVID-19 and the clinical characteristics and outcomes of COVID-19 patients who have a history of stroke.
- AHA has released temporary guidance for STEMI systems of care during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- AHA has released interim guidelines for basic and advanced life support for patients diagnosed or suspected of having COVID-19.
- AHA, along with the Heart Failure Society of America and ACC, has released a joint position statement addressing concerns raised in regards to using RAAS antagonists in COVID-19 treatments.
American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS)
ASMBS has released a webinar on keeping patients engaged and avoiding caregiver burnout and a webinar with considerations for restarting metabolic and bariatric surgery in the context of COVID-19. Both webinars also feature a family nurse practitioner (FNP) as a panelist.
American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM)
Patients with addiction are a vulnerable population, facing multiple challenges during COVID-19. The ASAM Caring for Patients During the COVID-19 (CPDC) Task Force was started to provide the most up-to-date resources for clinicians regarding addiction medicine treatment.
Additional Updates:
- ASAM is co-hosting a Treatment of Substance Use Disorders and Addiction During COVID-19 Series of webinars. Register for the upcoming free webinars (not accredited by AANP), and watch the previously recorded webinars on demand.
- As some states and clinics begin to reopen, providers and programs should continue to implement appropriate reopening policies and procedures as the COVID-19 pandemic continues.
- Providers treating pregnant people with opioid use disorder during COVID-19 are likely to require adjustments in care. ASAM released a focused update to the National Practice Guideline for the Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder to provide guidance on these adjustments.
- The criminal justice system has also been impacted by COVID-19, especially for individuals receiving addiction treatment. ASAM has released criminal justice provider guidance related to COVID-19.
Association of Diabetes Care and Education Specialists (ADCES)
Learn from diabetes experts from ADCES, who provide insight on topics like telehealth, coping with COVID-19, reducing risk and problem-solving, medication resources, misinformation and disease prevention.
Additional Updates:
- ADCES released tips for improving medication access for people with diabetes during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- ADCES offers eight healthy coping strategies to help people with diabetes lower their stress.
Exercise Is Medicine® (EIM)
Together with the American College of Sports Medicine®, EIM has created a tool kit of resources and support for keeping your patients active during the COVID-19 pandemic.
National Academy of Medicine (NAM)
A new webinar series from NAM and the American Society of Addiction Medicine is designed to provide insight and targeted guidance for health care providers caring for individuals with substance use disorders.
National Council for Behavioral Health (NCBH)
Many of your patients are no doubt experiencing some level of depression or anxiety due to isolation and stress caused by COVID-19. The NCBH has developed resources to help you provide some comfort during this difficult time.
Additional Updates:
- The NCBH has updated its guidance on COVID-19 infection and prevention protocols to reflect alternative strategies when primary protocols might not be accessible to providers, paritcularly in behavioral health residential facilities.
- The NCBH has released new Screening and Testing for COVID-19 guidelines, which were jointly developed with the National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers.
National Organization for Rare Disorders® (NORD)
NORD has on-demand video and webinars, patient assistance programs and weekly state-focused virtual discussion groups, among other resources for vulnerable patient populations.
New Jersey Perinatal Care During COVID-19 Work Group
Neonatologists, obstetricians, midwives, social workers and others have developed comprehensive recommendations for pregnant individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic. The result, Recommendations of the New Jersey Perinatal Care During COVID-19 Work Group, is now being distributed throughout the state to guide clinicians, families and caregivers. The report will be regularly updated.
The Obesity Society
The Obesity Society has a number of articles available for free detailing the impact of COVID-19 upon patients with obesity. This includes how school closings may lead to the risk of increased weight gain in children, the impact upon bariatric surgery and more.
Oncology Nursing Society (ONS)
The ONS has released interim guidelines for the safe handling of hazardous cancer drugs in the context of personal protective equipment (PPE) shortages.
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Testing
CDC
The CDC recommends health care providers should use their best judgment to determine if a patient has signs and symptoms compatible with COVID-19 and whether the patient should be tested. This includes:
- Hospitalized patients who have signs and symptoms compatible with COVID-19.
- Other symptomatic individuals, such as older adults and individuals with chronic medical conditions and/or an immunocompromised state.
- Anyone who, within 14 days of symptom onset, had close contact with a suspect or laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 patient or who have a history of travel from affected geographic areas within 14 days of their symptom onset.
Additional Updates:
- As of March 14, public health laboratories using the CDC assay are no longer required by the FDA to submit samples to the CDC for confirmation. The CDC is maintaining surge capacity while delivering other support to state public health laboratories and improving options for diagnostics for use in the public health sector.
FDA
The FDA has released a helpful video explaining the different tests currently available for COVID-19: diagnostic and antibody tests.
As of July 10, the FDA has authorized 173 tests under EUAs, which include 144 molecular tests, 27 antibody tests and two antigen tests. Additionally:
- The FDA maintains lists of EUAs issued in response to COVID-19, including tests, ventilators, medical devices and therapeutics.
- The FDA has issued three EUAs for diagnostic tests that detect and differentiate between the viruses that cause COVID-19 and the flu.
Network for Regional Healthcare Improvement
Before you set up or start working at an off-site COVID-19 testing center, review this infographic from the Network for Regional Healthcare Improvement and QUALIDIGM. It lists items you should consider, such as how to determine testing capacity, create a follow-up process for results and get reimbursed for testing.
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Infection Control
CDC
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.
All health care providers, including NPs, should take steps to prepare for COVID-19 in their practice as well as follow recommended infection control procedures to protect themselves and others:
- Limit how germs can enter health care facilities. This may include:
- Canceling elective procedures.
- Using telehealth when possible.
- Limiting points of entry and managing visitors.
- Screening patients for respiratory symptoms.
- Encouraging patient respiratory hygiene using alternatives to face masks.
- Isolate symptomatic patients as soon as possible. This may include:
- Setting up separate, well-ventilated triage areas.
- Placing patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 in private rooms with the door closed and with a private bathroom.
- Prioritizing airborne infection isolation rooms (AIIRs) for patients undergoing aerosol-generating procedures.
- Protect health care personnel. This may include:
- Emphasizing hand hygiene.
- Installing barriers to limit contact with patients at points of triage.
- Limiting the number of staff members providing care.
- Prioritizing respirators and AIIRs for aerosol-generating procedures.
- Properly donning and doffing recommended PPE.
- Implementing PPE optimization strategies to extend supplies.
- Implementing strategies to optimize the supply of N95 respirators.
- Thoroughly clean and disinfect surfaces in all high-traffic, frequently touched areas and at home, including:
- Stair rails, escalator handrails, office computers and phones.
- Steering wheels and car door handles.
- Home door handles and faucet handles, refrigerator and drawer handles, remote controls, and computer keyboards and mice.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
CMS released guidance on reopening health care facilities to provide non-emergent, non-COVID-19 care. The first phase includes the continued use of telehealth-delivered care, facility considerations and PPE recommendations for clinicians and patients, among other information.
American College of Gastroenterology
The American College of Gastroenterology, in partnership with other gastroenterology (GI) organizations, has released a message sharing additional guidelines for infection control in for clinicians and GI practices.
WHO
WHO has released guidelines offering advice on the use of masks in communities, during home care and in health care settings to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
- Limit how germs can enter health care facilities. This may include:
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Protection for Health Care Providers
CDC
Currently, COVID-19 transmission is thought to occur mostly from person to person via respiratory droplets among close contacts. If health care providers are in close contact with a patient confirmed to have COVID-19 while not wearing all recommended PPE, they may be at an increased risk of infection.
To limit this risk, health care providers should follow the CDC's recommendations for infection prevention and control:
- Assess and triage patients with acute respiratory symptoms and risk factors for COVID-19 to minimize chances of exposure. This includes placing a face mask on the patient and placing them in an examination room with the door closed.
- Use standard and transmission-based precautions when caring for patients with confirmed or possible COVID-19.
- Perform hand hygiene with alcohol-based hand rub before and after all patient contact, before and after contact with potentially infectious material and before putting on and upon removal of PPE. Use soap and water if hands are visibly soiled.
- Practice how to properly don, use and doff PPE in a manner to prevent self-contamination.
- Perform aerosol-generating procedures, in an AIIR, while following appropriate infection prevention and control practices, including in the use of appropriate PPE.
As a public health reminder, the CDC encourages health care facilities and clinicians to prioritize urgent and emergency visits and procedures in order to preserve staff, personal protective equipment and patient care supplies; ensure staff and patient safety; and expand available hospital capacity during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Recommendations include:
- Delay all elective ambulatory visits.
- Reschedule elective and non-urgent admissions.
- Delay inpatient and outpatient elective surgical and procedural cases
- Postpone routine dental and eye care visits.
National Academy of Medicine
The Action Collaborative on Clinician Well-Being and Resilience from the National Academy of Medicine (NAM) has released resources to support the health and well-being of clinicians during the COVID-19 pandemic, including roles and responsibilities, coping with traumatic events, managing stress and burnout and much more.
FDA
The FDA maintains lists of EUAs issued in response to COVID-19, which include tests and medical devices that serve to reduce patient and health care provider contact and exposure to COVID-19. In addition, the FDA offers information on PPE and other resources relevant to NPs, including:
- N95 respirators, surgical masks and face masks.
- Medical gloves.
- Medical gowns.
- Medical glove conservation strategies.
- Surgical mask and gown conservation strategies.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
OSHA has updated guidance and resources available on using, reusing and decontaminating filtering facepiece respirators. OSHA also has guidance protecting workers in nursing home and long-term care facilities.
WHO
WHO has expanded its Operational Planning Guidelines to Support Country Preparedness and Response to include new Operational Guidance for Maintaining Essential Health Services During an Outbreak.
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Telehealth
CDC
Telehealth is suggested by the CDC as an alternative for in-office appointments, as triaging and assessing ill patients by telephone, text monitoring system, video conference or other telehealth methods can reduce the chance of exposure for staff members and minimize a surge on health care facilities.
AANP
AANP's COVID-19 Telehealth Updates include several Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) documents related to telehealth, as well as information on policies and legislation affecting telehealth-delivered care.
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Pharmacology and Treatment
Accelerating COVID-19 Therapeutic Interventions and Vaccines (ACTIV) Partnership
This partnership will develop a collaborative framework to prioritize vaccine and drug candidates, streamline clinical trials, coordinate regulatory processes and/or leverage assets among all involved partners to rapidly respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and future pandemics.
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
The NIH has released COVID-19 Treatment Guidelines, which will be frequently updated as more information on the disease becomes available.
Additional Updates:
- The NIH releases updates on clinical trials, studies, training and other information related to COVID-19. See the current list of clinical trials.
FDA
On May 1, the FDA issued an EUA for the investigational antiviral drug remdesivir for the treatment of suspected or laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 in adults and children hospitalized with severe disease. On June 15, the FDA informed the public that the use of remdesivir and chloroquine phosphate or hydroxychloroquine sulfate is not recommended.
The FDA offers both a list of diagnostic tests and medical devices and a list of therapeutics that have been approved to treat COVID-19 under EUAs.
Convalescent plasma has the potential to lessen the severity or shorten the length of illness caused by COVID-19. The FDA is currently encouraging people who have fully recovered from COVID-19 for at least two weeks to contact their local blood or plasma collection center to schedule an appointment to donate plasma.
Additional Updates:
- The EUA for chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine has been revoked as of June 15. This is based on the FDA's ongoing analysis and emerging scientific data determining these drugs to be unlikely to be effective in treating COVID-19 for the authorized uses in the EUA.
- The FDA has a resource to assist the public in understanding the terminology related to COVID-19 prevention and treatments, helpful for health care provider-delivered patient education.
- On May 29, the FDA made its COVID MyStudies mobile app, previously named FDA MyStudies, available for free to assist researchers in obtaining patients’ informed consent for eligible clinical trials when face-to-face contact is not possible.
- On March 31, the FDA began the Coronavirus Treatment Acceleration Program (CTAP) to bring new therapies to sick patients as quickly as possible while supporting research to further evaluate whether these therapies are safe and effective.
- As of March 24, the FDA stated that there is no scientific evidence connecting the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), like ibuprofen, with worsening COVID-19 symptoms.
Infectious Disease Society of America (IDSA)
Guidelines on the treatment and management of COVID-19 are available from IDSA. The evidence-based guidelines were developed using the GRADE methodology and are frequently updated. A panel of infectious disease clinicians, pharmacists and methodologists with varied areas of expertise created the guidelines.
National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN)
NCSBN has released a joint statement with the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy and the Federation of State Medical Boards on the inappropriate prescribing and stockpiling of medications, including chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin, to prevent or treat COVID-19 for themselves or their family members.
The New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) Group
NEJM Group has a free, interactive clinical reasoning resource designed to help health care providers navigate the diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19. NEJM Group plans to maintain the free case simulations for a number of months.
Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM)
The SCCM COVID-19 Rapid Resource Center contains information on medical nutrition therapy, unanticipated consequences of the pandemic and pediatric multisystem inflammatory syndrome. The educational resources are available in a variety of formats, including infographics, podcasts and journal articles.
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Funding
National Institute on Minority Health and Disparity
A new funding opportunity is available through the National Institute on Minority Health and Disparity. Interested researchers can submit applications to the Community Interventions to Address the Consequences of the COVID-19 Pandemic for Health Disparity and Vulnerable Populations funding opportunity until July 2020.
Primary Care Collaborative
Some health plans are offering clinicians and their primary care practices financial support. If you know of other health plans that are offering prospective or advance payments, please email the Primary Care Collaborative at Communications1@pcpcc.org.
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Research
AcademyHealth
AcademyHealth is supporting a new initiative that aims to build a COVID-19 Patient Data Registry Network. The goal of the network is to provide researchers, policymakers and clinicians with quality information on the impact and progression of COVID-19.
Additional Updates:
- A new report by AcademyHealth identifies priority research questions on COVID-19 for health systems. The report includes questions on how COVID-19 is impacting health system policies, processes, providers and patient care.
American Association for Public Opinion Research
Additionally, the American Association for Public Opinion Research has released guidance for survey researchers and IRBs. The guidance covers risks and benefits for survey participants, informed consent, mandatory reporting and incentives.
Annals of Internal Medicine®
The Annals of Internal Medicine journal has released an article titled "Collision of the COVID-19 and Addiction Epidemics," a free resource exploring how COVID-19 is impacting patients who smoke or use vaping devices, patients who have opioid use disorder and patients with other substance use disorders.
Association for the Accreditation of Human Research Protection Programs (AAHRPP)
AAHRPP has issued guidance how to protect research participants and report any study changes to an Institutional Review Board (IRB). AAHRPP’s suggestions align with the Food and Drug Administration’s guidance on conducting clinical trials during the COVID-19 pandemic.
COVID-19 Global Rheumatology Alliance
The Alliance is in the process of creating a secure, de-identified, international case reporting registry in order to help guide rheumatology clinicians in assessing and treating patients with rheumatologic disease and in evaluating the risk of infection in patients on immunosuppression.
EBSCO
EBSCO has created a COVID-19 Information Portal to support the immediate need for trusted health care information during the pandemic. This includes open access resources and research, clinical care information and data maps and visualizations.
FDA
The FDA has released guidance for industry, investigators and institutional review boards (IRBs) interested in conducting clinical trials of medical products during the COVID-19 public health emergency.
Health Affairs
A collection of preprint journal articles and other resources related to COVID-19 are available from Health Affairs. Additionally, several published journal articles are available at no cost to the public.
Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI)
IHI offers COVID-19 guidance and resources for health care providers, including a free weekly learning hour on COVID-19, a data dashboard on the trajectory of COVID-19 reported deaths and a daily call for health care providers working in nursing homes.
The Lancet
To assist researchers and clinicians, The Lancet has established a COVID-19 Resource Centre. Articles and podcasts on the effects of the virus on prisoners, misinformation and vaccine development are available for free.
MedRxiv
To promote open access and share key information on COVID-19 research, medRxiv is preprinting research articles. The articles should not be used to guide clinical practice or health-related behavior since they have not yet been peer reviewed. They can, however, be used to start a dialogue on current and future COVID-19 research.
NIH
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the NIH, has launched a COVID-19 Prevention Trials Network (COVPN) for vaccines, and other prevention tools, with the aim of enrolling in thousands of volunteers in large-scale clinical trials testing. Individuals can securely volunteer for studies on the NIH website.
Additional Updates:
- The NIH Office of Intramural Research has created a COVID-19 Scientific Interest Group. Scientists within the NIH are invited to contribute to the group to exchange information concerning research on COVID-19 and SARS-CoV-2.
- The NIAID has released the four key priorities of its strategic plan for COVID-19 research, which include improving our knowledge of SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19; developing rapid, accurate diagnostics and assays to identify and isolate COVID-19 cases and track the spread of the virus; characterizing and testing potential treatments for COVID-19; and developing safe and effective vaccines for SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks both now and in the future.
- The NIH initiative, Rapid Acceleration of Diagnostics (RADx), is designed to speed innovation, development and commercialization of testing technologies related to COVID-19 and is supported through a $1.5 billion investment from federal stimulus funding.
National Library of Medicine
A number of drugs are under investigation in clinical trials or are being considered for clinical trials to treat COVID-19.
Additional Updates:
- Researchers have identified the genomic features of SARS-CoV-2 (as well as other high-fatality coronaviruses) to distinguish the virus that causes COVID-19 from other members of the coronavirus family.
- LitCOVID is the NIH and NLM literature hub for up-to-date research articles about COVID-19. The articles are updated daily and are categorized by different research topics and geographic locations.
PCORI
The PCORI Healthcare Worker Exposure Response & Outcomes (HERO) Registry is a large, national clinical research community. It invites health care workers from across the U.S. to share clinical and life experiences to understand the perspectives and problems they face on the COVID-19 pandemic front lines. HERO Registry participants could have the opportunity to participate in future research studies to improve our understanding of COVID-19 and beyond, generating evidence to help keep healthcare workers safe and healthy. The first study, the HERO-HCQ Trial, will invite 15,000 health care workers from the registry to evaluate whether hydroxychloroquine can prevent COVID-19 infections.
Additional Updates:
- In May, the PCORI Health Care Horizon Scanning System (HCHSS) expanded to include information on COVID-19-related preventive measures, diagnostics, treatments and management strategies. The HCHSS will release biweekly COVID-19 briefs for the next 12 months.
Primary Care Collaborative and The Larry A. Green Center
Results from the Primary Care Collaborative and The Larry A. Green Center survey indicate that many clinicians do not have adequate testing capabilities and personal protective equipment. The results also reflect that lack of information on the prevalence of COVID-19 in the U.S.
World Association for Public Opinion Research (WAPOR)
Public opinion research on COVID-19 is being conducted all over the world. Reports from those studies have been collected by WAPOR from Gallup Pakistan, Kstat, Taiwan Public Opinion Foundation, Pew Research Center and other research institutes. The list is publicly available and still accepting research studies.
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Student Resources
American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB)
AANPCB, alongside a number of additional NP and nursing organizations and accrediting bodies, has released a statement regarding NP students and direct care clinical hours.
American College Health Association
New guidelines are available from the American College Health Association on how to safely reopen college campuses. The guidelines are broad so that small and large institutions can easily modify them to fit their campuses.
Patient Education Resources Related to COVID-19
- Infographic: What Are COVID-19 Symptoms.
- Infographic: Protect Yourself and Others From COVID-19.
- Coronavirus Tips You Need to Know: Eight Important Questions Answered by an NP Expert.
- Coronavirus Preparedness for People With Chronic Diseases – Webinar: Learn how to help your patients with chronic disease during the COVID-19 pandemic through a free, nonaccredited webinar hosted by the National Health Council.
- Our Odyssey: Our Odyssey hosts virtual meet ups to help young adults with chronic or rare conditions cope with increased isolating during this time of self isolation.
- Being Prepared in the Time of COVID-19: The Conversation Project created this form for patients to complete, which will help them prepare during the pandemic. The form contains information on how to designate a health care decision-maker and how patients can communicate with their loved ones about what they would want if they became seriously ill.
Infectious Disease CE Courses
- Advanced Hepatitis C Treatment: The NP’s Role in Eradicating the Disease in the Community
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Mumps: A Call for Vigilance
Mumps is a viral infectious disease that historically was a common childhood illness. The mumps vaccine, first licensed in 1967, has successfully decreased the number of cases to the point that mumps is no longer a frequently encountered disease. Prior to the mumps vaccine program, approximately 186,000 cases of mumps were reported each year in the United States (U.S.). Even with the sporadic clusters of re-emergence, there has been a 99% decrease in the number of reported cases since the inception of the vaccination program. As of July 15, 2017, there have been 3,886 cases of mumps reported this year in 45 states, making it a clinically relevant, though not prevalent, illness. Although not a new illness, many health care providers may not have diagnosed or treated patients diagnosed with mumps. Here, we provide vital information to NPs, so they may adequately diagnose and treat mumps as well as remain vigilant in their surveillance of such an old virus that continues to infect individuals today.
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Preventing New HIV Infections with Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP)
The CDC estimates that there were 37,600 new HIV infections in 2014. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a highly effective tool for the prevention of new HIV infections that was approved by the FDA in 2012. PrEP is largely under utilized by primary care providers. This clinical feature addresses provider barriers that impede prescribing PrEP to high-risk patients and provides a straightforward approach for NPs to offer PrEP in the primary care setting.
NP Tools and Resources
AANP-developed Resources to Support NPs in Treating Your Patients
- Practice Brief: Measles: Recommendations for Assessment, Treatment and Prevention.
- Practice Brief: Strategies to Prevent Clostridium Difficile Infections in Acute Care Hospitals: 2014 Update.
- Position Statement: Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
Patient Education Tools and Resources
Vaccinations
Meningococcal Vaccine Information Tent
To increase awareness of the MenB vaccine, AANP developed a colorful 7” x 5” trifold informational tent with a concise review of meningococcal disease, signs/symptoms, and prevention through MenACWY and MenBvaccines. This tent can be printed, folded, taped and placed in the waiting room or exam rooms where patients and parents of adolescents will read it to initiate questions and conversations about meningococcal disease prevention with their health care provider
Supported by an educational grant from Pfizer.
Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C HALO Patient Tool
Download, print and distribute this self-care guide to your patients after they are cured to give them easy to reference answers to common questions and tips for keeping their liver healthy long-term.
HALO concept courtesy of Southern California GI and Liver Centers, Coronado, CA.
External Resources
Conveniently Curated Information from Other Top Sources
There are many resources available for both patients and providers and we have listed some of them below for your convenience. Inclusion of these links does not imply AANP endorsement.
Ebola
- Evaluating Patients for Possible Ebola Virus Disease: Recommendations for Health Care Personnel and Health Officials.
- Ebola Virus.
- Signs and Symptoms.
- Early Recognition Is Critical.
- Algorithm for Evaluation of the Returned Traveler.
- EVD Information for Clinicians in U.S. Health Care Settings.
- Tightened Guidance for U.S. Health Care Workers on Personal Protective Equipment for Ebola – October 20, 2014.
- Sequence for Putting on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
- Diagnosis.
- Treatment.
- Infographics and Illustrations.
Hepatitis C
- VA Management and Treatment of Hepatitis C Recommendations.
- CDC Recommendations for Hepatitis C Screening.
Measles
Vaccination
- Adolescent Vaccination: Provides resources and professional tools highlighting the importance of vaccination to protect U.S. adolescents from vaccine-preventable diseases and supporting a comprehensive approach to improving vaccination rates. Information is available for the general public, health care professionals and the media.
- Adult Vaccination: Provides information on the impact of infectious diseases on adults and vaccines available to provide protection. Resources include disease-specific background sheets and practice toolkits for health care professionals. Select materials are available in Spanish. Information is available for the general public, health care professionals and the media.
- Childhood Influenza Immunization Coalition: Provides pediatric-focused information and resources on seasonal influenza and vaccination for consumers, healt care professionals and the media.
- Immunization Action Coalition (IAC) Express Weekly email that provides new and updated vaccine recommendations from the CDC and new vaccine licensures from the Food & Drug Administration (FDA).
- 2019 Immunization Schedules: The 2019 adult and adolescent immunization schedules are available online via the CDC. Additional resources for health care providers are also available, including vaccine safety, storage, administration and standards.