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Alerts: Dignity Health Library Catalog Discontinuation on April 1, 2023. The product is being discontinued and will not be replaced.

Discontinued: Dignity Health Library Full-Text Article Links in PubMed. Please see Library Facilities Tab and contact your hospital's Medical Librarian for access to library resources and services.

NEW 988 Lifeline: 988 is now active across the United States. This new, shorter phone number will make it easier for people to remember and access mental health crisis services. Note: The previous National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK (8255) and Español 1-888-628-9454 numbers will continue to function indefinitely.

Monkeypox Need to Know Information - See HRO Box, Monkeypox Tab below

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Access Current & Authoritative COVID-19 Resources on the Library COVID-19 Portal
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Updates to COVID-19 Testing and Treatment for the Current SARS-CoV-2 Variants (CDC COCA 1/24 11am-12pm PT) As SARS-CoV-2 variants evolve, circulating variants have increased transmissibility and ability to evade the immune system, which changes the treatment and prevention options for COVID-19. Clinicians should understand the nuances of current SARS-CoV-2 testing and treatment to prevent hospitalizations and deaths among people at high risk of severe disease. During this COCA Call, subject matter experts will provide an overview of COVID-19 epidemiology and the current variant landscape, address current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention testing guidance and the National Institutes of Health and Infectious Disease Society of America COVID-19 treatment guidelines, and discuss risk assessment and considerations for treatment options.
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Healthcare & Climate Change: Prioritizing Health Equity (AMA 2/1/23, 6pm PT) Join us as our panel and moderators discuss Health Equity and what attendees can do at the practice, local level, health system level now to improve health outcomes due to Climate Crisis. The program will examine the issue through the lens of medical practice/medical services and how the climate crisis has an impact on health outcomes. Attendees will leave the program equipped and educated on being trusted messengers that link climate crisis with health outcomes and health inequities.
Virtual Grand Rounds: COVID-19 Therapeutics - When and How to Treat for COVID-19 (Register CME: CalHHS & CMA 2/14/23 12-1pm PT) As a result of this activity, participants should be able to: Discuss the current epidemiology of COVID-19 in California Summarize the state of COVID variants as applicable Discuss the benefits, risks, side effects and contraindications to COVID-19 therapeutics with patients Recognize the common drug interactions of COVID-19 therapeutics and know where to get treatment recommendations given possible drug-drug interactions Appropriately refer patients who need COVID-19 treatment Utilize current public health guidance to default to COVID-19 treatment in most circumstances To be determined

2022-2023 Seasonal Influenza Testing and Treatment During the COVID-19 Pandemic (Recording: CDC COCA CME/CE - Nov.15, 1:13) During this COCA Call, the presenter will provide an overview of CDC’s recommendations for healthcare providers about influenza diagnostics and the use of antiviral medications for the 2022-2023 influenza season, including considerations during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

2022–2023 Recommendations for Influenza Prevention and Treatment in Children: An Update for Pediatric Providers (Slides CDC COCA CME 9/15/22) During this COCA Call, presenters will provide an overview of influenza prevention and treatment recommendations for the 2022–2023 season from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Recording at https://emergency.cdc.gov/coca/calls/2022/callinfo_091522.asp

Monkeypox Update for Clinicians (LAC DPH Recording 7/22/22) This webinar for healthcare providers provided updates on the current status of monkeypox in LA County including the monkeypox vaccine roll-out and current guidance on testing and treatment of monkeypox.

Virtual Grand Rounds: Updates in COVID-19 and Monkeypox (Slides: Cal HSS & CMA 7/12/22) As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread across the state, we are now confronted by a new virus: monkeypox. State epidemiologist Erica Pan, M.D. will share the latest updates about COVID-19 including information about vaccinations, epidemiology and patient care. Infectious disease expert Peter Chin-Hong, M.D., from U.C. San Francisco will discuss the emergence of monkeypox as a global phenomenon, as well as the epidemiology, signs and symptoms of this disease.

Recommendations for Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine Primary Series in Children 6 Months through 5 Years Old (CDC COCA: Slides 6/22/22, Free CME) While children have a lower risk for severe COVID-19 compared to adults, they can get COVID-19, spread it to others, and become seriously ill. COVID-19 vaccination provides protection to children and adolescents against severe illness and outcomes associated with COVID-19, including emergency department or urgent care visits, hospitalizations, and death. During this COCA Call, presenters will discuss CDC’s new guidance on the pediatric COVID-19 vaccine primary series for children ages 6 months through 4 years old for Pfizer-BioNTech and ages 6 months through 5 years old for Moderna, including children who are moderately or severely immunocompromised.

CSH in the News

CSH IT Issue Update

Clear sodas only for CommonSpirit patients (Becker's Hospital Review 12/15/22)
'Resilience isn't a Pillar by Itself': CommonSpirit's Plan to Support 44,000 Nurses in 2023 (Becker's Hospital Review 12/9/22) Interview with Kathy Sanford, DBA, RN The 140-hospital organization operates in 21 states and has started hiring nurses for its own travel agency. The effort is part of the system's five-year strategic plan created right before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
CSH Ransomware Attack Update This designated webpage is meant to serve as a single place for all our CommonSpirit employees and communities to visit for the latest and most accurate information.

Quick Links

Dignity Health Library Catalog (DH) - Discontinued 4/1/23 Onsite only. You must be on a computer connected to the Dignity Health network to access.
A to Z Books (DH) - Discontinued 4/1/23 Onsite only. You must be on a computer connected to the Dignity Health network to access.
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California Code of Regulations
California Code of Regulations - Medical Library (Title 22, § 70761) (a) Each hospital shall maintain a medical library consistent with the needs of the hospital. (b) The medical library shall be located in a convenient location, and its contents shall be organized, easily accessible and available through authorized personnel at all times. (c) The library shall contain modern textbooks in basic sciences and other current textbooks, journals and magazines pertinent to the clinical services maintained in the hospital.
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EthicsFinder (DH/CSH) EthicsFinder is an easily useable, expertly curated ethics search engine database hosted by Australian Catholic University. Gathering and displaying thousands of links to existing high-quality articles, books and videos from across the web, it is a comprehensive and continually updated 'one-stop shop' for anyone interested in a broad range of ethical, philosophical, cultural and social issues and, in particular, Catholic approaches.
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Natural Medicines (DH/CSH) The most authoritative resource available on dietary supplements, natural medicines, and complementary alternative and integrative therapies.
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Discontinuation 2/1/23: The Dignity Health icon in PubMed to access or request full-text articles will be discontinued. Contact your hospital's Medical Librarian to securely access licensed full-text articles and to order unavailable articles.

HRO - ASK! When You Don't Know - Use Your Library Resources & Ask Your Medical Librarian to Help

Experimental mRNA Vaccine May Protect Against All 20 Influenza Virus Subtypes (NIH Director's Blog 12/6/22) An NIH-funded team has developed a unique “universal flu vaccine” that, with one seasonal shot, that has the potential to build immune protection against any of the 20 known subtypes of influenza virus and protect against future outbreaks.
Flu Update: 12,000 Deaths, but Falling Activity in Much of U.S. (US News & World Report 12/23/22) Overall this season, the CDC estimates there have been at least 18 million illnesses, 190,000 hospitalizations and 12,000 deaths from flu. These preliminary low-end figures are within historical ranges from past seasons, but already have surpassed the numbers from last season, which saw an estimated 9 million illnesses, 100,000 flu-related hospitalizations and 5,000 deaths.
CDC Health Advisory: Increase in Pediatric Invasive Group A Streptococcal Infections (LAHAN 12/23/22) The CDC issued a Health Advisory on 12.22.22 to highlight the recent rise in Invasive Group A Streptococcal Infections (iGAS) infections in children, the increased seasonal risk of iGAS disease for all age groups, and the importance of early recognition, diagnosis, and appropriate treatment of these diseases in children and adults.
Fentanyl Overdose (JAMA Patient Page 12/2/22) Common Signs & Symptoms of Fentanyl Overdose: Fentanyl overdose may cause small, constricted “pinpoint” pupils; choking or gurgling; cold and/or clammy skin; loss of consciousness; and slow, weak, or absent breathing. U.S. Fentanyl Overdose Deaths: The CDC reported 71,238 fentanyl overdose deaths in 2021. Fentanyl overdose deaths in the US have increased substantially since 2013, and most of these deaths are due to use of nonpharmaceutical fentanyl.
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'Gaslighting' is 2022's word of the year. Healthcare is not immune to its flame. (Becker's Hospital Review 11/30/22) A slew of articles emerged in the spring with "medical gaslighting" in their headlines. A March 28 article in The New York Times applied the term to many women's experiences of feeling talked down to by their physicians, who might blame their symptoms on a lack of self-care, mental health problems or their weight. This could contribute to more frequent misdiagnoses in women, the article alleged.

Experimental mRNA Vaccine May Protect Against All 20 Influenza Virus Subtypes (NIH Director's Blog 12/6/22) An NIH-funded team has developed a unique “universal flu vaccine” that, with one seasonal shot, that has the potential to build immune protection against any of the 20 known subtypes of influenza virus and protect against future outbreaks.
Flu Update: 12,000 Deaths, but Falling Activity in Much of U.S. (US News & World Report 12/23/22) Overall this season, the CDC estimates there have been at least 18 million illnesses, 190,000 hospitalizations and 12,000 deaths from flu. These preliminary low-end figures are within historical ranges from past seasons, but already have surpassed the numbers from last season, which saw an estimated 9 million illnesses, 100,000 flu-related hospitalizations and 5,000 deaths.
Cumulative flu hospitalization rate hits 13-year high (Becker's Hospital Review 10/21/22) The CDC estimates there have been at least 880,000 flu illnesses and 360 deaths this season, which started at the beginning of October. These are estimates, based on preliminary data from the agency's flu hospitalization surveillance network. The network conducts population-based surveillance for laboratory-confirmed influenza-related hospitalizations in counties across 13 states, representing about 9 percent of the population.

Variant Influenza Virus Infections: Recommendations for Identification, Treatment, and Prevention for Summer and Fall 2022 (CDC Health Advisory 8/30/22) The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Advisory to notify healthcare providers about cases of human infection with influenza viruses that usually spread only in pigs (i.e., variant influenza). Included in this health advisory are recommendations for identification, treatment, and prevention of variant influenza virus infection for the summer and fall of 2022. If variant influenza infection is suspected in a patient, providers are asked to report the case immediately:

News

New monkeypox cases down 50%: 5 updates (Becker's Hospital Review 9/19/22) The number of new monkeypox cases in the U.S. are down nearly 50 percent since early August, according to federal health officials. CDC data shows the nation's seven-day average for new cases peaked on Aug. 10, with 461 cases. As of Sept. 14, that figure was 170.
CDC reports evidence of monkeypox virus on household surfaces: 5 updates (Becker's Hospital Review 8/22/22) Monkeypox virus DNA was found on high contact surfaces in the Utah home of two infected individuals, the CDC said in an Aug. 19 report. Personnel from the Utah health department swabbed objects in the home where two infected people had been isolating for 20 days. The patients were still showing symptoms when samples were collected from high-contact objects and surfaces, including cloth furniture, blankets, handles and switches.

Monkeypox Talking Points on the latest news (ThisIsOurShot and Vacunateya 8/12/22) - The U.S. has recorded more than 10,000 monkeypox cases and declared the outbreak a public health emergency. - Most monkeypox cases have been linked to sexual contact, though there are other ways people can get infected. - Vaccines are available but can be difficult to find.

Monkeypox Update: FDA Authorizes Emergency Use of JYNNEOS Vaccine to Increase Vaccine Supply (FDA 8/9/22) The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued an emergency use authorization (EUA) for the JYNNEOS vaccine. The EUA allows healthcare providers to administer the vaccine by intradermal injection for individuals 18 years of age and older who are at high risk for monkeypox infection, which will result in up to a five-fold increase in the total number of doses available for use.
SMMC in the News: Dr. David Michalik Discusses Monkeypox in Kids (Fox Channel 11 News 8/3/22 2:22)
Can monkeypox spread through the air? What we know so far (Becker's Hospital Review 8/3/22) Current messaging surrounding how monkeypox spreads is focused on sustained physical contact. But as the outbreak grows, with more than 6,000 cases now confirmed in the U.S., questions are also rising about whether and to what extent respiratory transmission plays a role.

Information

Understanding Monkeypox (CommonSpirit Health) With the rise of monkeypox cases, it’s helpful to know the facts and signs of a possible infection. A Q&A that includes information and resources about monkeypox symptoms, transmission, and vaccines.
Interim Clinical Considerations for Use of JYNNEOS and ACAM2000 Vaccines during the 2022 U.S. Monkeypox Outbreak (CDC revised 9/28/22) the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released Interim Clinical Considerations for Use of JYNNEOS and ACAM2000 Vaccines during the 2022 U.S. Monkeypox Outbreak that provides guidance for using the alternative (intradermal) regimen, as well as the standard (subcutaneous) regimen for JYNNEOS vaccine.
CDC: 2022 Outbreak Cases and Data At this time, data suggest that gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men make up the majority of cases in the current monkeypox outbreak. However, anyone, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, who has been in close, personal contact with someone who has monkeypox is at risk. Take steps to prevent getting monkeypox. If you have any symptoms of monkeypox, talk to a healthcare provider.
CDC: Monkeypox - Information for Clinicians The first symptoms of monkeypox include fever, malaise, headache, and sometimes sore throat and cough. A distinguishing feature of monkeypox from smallpox is lymphadenopathy (swollen lymph nodes). This typically occurs with fever onset, 1 to 2 days before rash onset, or rarely with rash onset. Lymph nodes may swell in the neck (submandibular & cervical), armpits (axillary), or groin (inguinal) and occur on both sides of the body or just one.
CDC: Clinical Considerations for Monkeypox in Children and Adolescents Who this is for: Healthcare providers caring for children and adolescents less than ages 18 years in clinics, emergency departments, and hospitals in the United States. What this is for: Considerations on clinical management of children and adolescents less than ages 18 years with exposure to monkeypox or concern for Monkeypox virus infection.
CDC: Infection Prevention and Control of Monkeypox in Healthcare Settings These recommendations are intended for healthcare settings.
CDC: 2022 U.S. Map & Case Count Data will be updated Monday–Friday.
CDPH: Health Advisory: Managing Monkeypox Virus Infection in California (6/23/22) Providers should report suspect monkeypox cases immediately.
LACDPH: Healthcare Provider Monkeypox Webpage NOTE TO ALL HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS: If you suspect that a patient is infected with monkeypox or intend to test a patient for monkeypox, immediately call Acute Communicable Disease Control to assist with diagnosis and implementation of infection control.
LACDPH: Monkeypox Webpage for the General Public IF YOU THINK YOU HAVE MONKEYPOX Public Health recommends that you speak to your primary care provider. If you do not have a regular provider, call 2-1-1 for assistance. In addition, people without a regular provider that have developed a rash in the genital or perianal area, can access services at Public Health’s sexual health clinics.
ClinicalKey: Monkeypox (Search, Real Time)
Gideon: Monkeypox Outbreaks: What Do You Need to Know? Do You Need to Worry? (Blog 5/15/22) Monkeypox cases have been reported in 19 countries, including several in Europe, Australia, the United States, and even the United Arab Emirates in the Middle East. What’s concerning is that, for the first time, more monkeypox cases have been reported in countries where it does not usually occur (non-endemic regions). Also, the monkeypox cases have been detected in men who did not have contact with anyone who had recently traveled to West or Central Africa — the regions endemic to monkeypox [1]. What do these outbreaks mean? Is this a public health crisis? Is Monkeypox contagious? What do you need to do to protect yourself? Here’s all the information you need.
JAMA: What to Know About Monkeypox (5/27/22) Medical and public health officials are concerned—and puzzled—by the increasing number of confirmed monkeypox cases in countries outside central and western Africa, where the virus is endemic.
NEJM: Monkeypox Resource Center Read the latest on the monkeypox outbreak, including new expert opinion and science on the epidemiology, diagnosis, management, and prevention of infection.
NEJM: Case Study: Monkeypox Virus Infection in Humans across 16 Countries — April–June 2022 (7/21/22) We formed an international collaborative group of clinicians who contributed to an international case series to describe the presentation, clinical course, and outcomes of polymerase-chain-reaction–confirmed monkeypox virus infections.
NIH NLM: Monkeypox virus: Complete genome from the current outbreak now available in GenBank The first complete genome sequence of the current monkeypox virus (MPXV) outbreak (isolate name MPXV_USA_2022_MA001) is now available with accession ON563414 in GenBank, a public database of DNA sequences hosted by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) at the National Library of Medicine (NLM). Several cases of monkeypox have been identified in geographically widespread … Continue reading Monkeypox virus: Complete genome from the current outbreak now available in GenBank →
VisualDx: Monkeypox Pictures of monkeypox and disease information have been excerpted from the VisualDx® clinical decision support system as a public health service. Additional information, including symptoms, diagnostic pearls, differential diagnosis, best tests, and management pearls, is available in VisualDx. AND Full Clinical Write-Up
VisualDx: Monkeypox in Adult
UpToDate: Treatment and prevention of monkeypox

Webinars

Update on Monkeypox in Children, Adolescents, and People Who are Pregnant or Breastfeeding (Join: CDC COCA Oct. 27, 11am-12pm PT) - Passcode: 776650 During this COCA Call, presenters will focus on current information about monkeypox as it relates to children, adolescents, and people who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Presenters will address clinical considerations for diagnosis, treatment, and post-exposure prophylaxis; vaccination; contact and breastfeeding recommendations; infection prevention and control measures; and resources available to care for these patient populations.
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If you are unable to attend the live COCA Call, the recording will be available for viewing on the COCA Call webpage a few hours after the live event ends.
The slide set will be available on the day of the call on the COCA Call webpage under Call Materials.
CDC and FDA Update: Interim Clinical Considerations for Monkeypox Vaccination (8/11/22 Recording & Slides) During this COCA Call, presenters from FDA and CDC will provide updates on FDA’s EUA of the JYNNEOS vaccine and CDC’s Interim Clinical Considerations for using the JYNNEOS and ACAM2000 Vaccines during the 2022 U.S. Monkeypox Outbreak. Presenters will also provide training on how to administer the vaccines using the interim clinical considerations.

CalHHS & CMA: Virtual Grand Rounds: Monkeypox and COVID-19 Vaccine Updates: Pediatric Vaccines and New Vaccine Technology (Slides 8/9/22) As summer wanes and school is about to begin, we now have new opportunities to vaccinate our youngest patients. At the same time, new vaccines made with old vaccine technology are becoming available. In this session, we will hear from California State Epidemiologist Erica Pan, M.D., about the state of COVID-19 in California, including variants, treatments and vaccine epidemiology. We will also hear from one of the country’s most articulate and experienced vaccine expert, Paul Offit, M.D

CDC COCA: Monkeypox Outbreak: Updates on the Epidemiology, Testing, Treatment, and Vaccination (7/26/22 Recording, Slides, Transcript) This COCA Call will provide updates on the epidemiology of the monkeypox outbreak, commercial testing capability, how to obtain and use TPOXX (tecovirimat) to treat monkeypox, and vaccine strategy.
LAC DPH: Monkeypox Update for Clinicians (7/22/22 Recording) This webinar for healthcare providers provided updates on the current status of monkeypox in LA County including the monkeypox vaccine roll-out and current guidance on testing and treatment of monkeypox.
CDC: Monkeypox: Updates about Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment (6/29/22 Recording, Slides, Transcript) This COCA Call will present what clinicians need to know about monkeypox including guidance about the typical clinical presentation, treatment options, pre- and post-exposure prophylaxis, and reporting to public health authorities.

CDC: New York wastewater sampling finds wider spread of polio that paralyzed unvaccinated resident (Becker's Hospital Review 10/31/22) Wastewater testing has found polioviruses genetically tied to a case that left an unvaccinated Rockland County, N.Y., resident paralyzed this summer in at least five of the state's counties, according to a new CDC report.
What New York's polio case means for the US (Becker's Hospital Review 8/22/22) While health experts have referred to New York's polio case as the "tip of the iceberg," a national outbreak similar to COVID-19 or monkeypox is not expected, USA Today reported Aug. 19. Widespread transmission is unlikely because the U.S. has a 90 percent vaccination rate for polio. Experts predict the virus will instead spread more locally among communities with lower vaccination rates.

CDC Health Advisory: Increase in Pediatric Invasive Group A Streptococcal Infections (LAHAN 12/23/22) The CDC issued a Health Advisory on 12.22.22 to highlight the recent rise in Invasive Group A Streptococcal Infections (iGAS) infections in children, the increased seasonal risk of iGAS disease for all age groups, and the importance of early recognition, diagnosis, and appropriate treatment of these diseases in children and adults.

Variant Influenza Virus Infections: Recommendations for Identification, Treatment, and Prevention for Summer and Fall 2022 (CDC Health Advisory 8/30/22) The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Advisory to notify healthcare providers about cases of human infection with influenza viruses that usually spread only in pigs (i.e., variant influenza). Included in this health advisory are recommendations for identification, treatment, and prevention of variant influenza virus infection for the summer and fall of 2022. If variant influenza infection is suspected in a patient, providers are asked to report the case immediately:
Recent Reports of Human Parechovirus (PeV) in the United States—2022 (CDC Health Advisory 7/12/22) Since May 2022, CDC has received reports from healthcare providers in multiple states of PeV infections in neonates and young infants. Parechoviruses are a group of viruses known to cause a spectrum of disease in humans. Clinicians are encouraged to include PeV in the differential diagnoses of infants presenting with fever, sepsis-like syndrome, or neurologic illness (seizures, meningitis) without another known cause and to test for PeV in children with signs and symptoms compatible with PeV infection (see below). Commercial laboratory assays, multiplex platforms for meningitis and encephalitis, and testing through state public health laboratories (SPHLs) are available to test cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for PeV to confirm a diagnosis. CDC laboratory support is also available for testing and typing patient specimens.

LAC DPH Health Alert: Contaminated Ecstasy and Accidental Drug Overdoses (5/25/22) Key Messages: - Three cases of accidental drug overdoses among adolescents in Los Angeles County were identified over the past several days that resulted in unexpected cardiac and neurologic toxicities. All cases involved the presumed use of ecstasy that was contaminated with fentanyl and other yet-to-be-identified psychoactive substance(s). All three cases were responsive to naloxone. - The likelihood that contaminated ecstasy and other pills are available in the community is very high, as is the risk of overdose when exposed to these substances. - Emergency clinicians should evaluate their patients with suspected drug-induced altered mental status for cardiac and neurological toxicity. - Widespread access to harm reduction interventions such as naloxone (an opioid overdose reversal medication, commonly known as the brand name Narcan) and drug checking with fentanyl test strips, which can test a drug supply for fentanyl and other common contaminants, is essential to prevent accidental overdoses and death in adolescents.
Look Alike: Check Lexicomp – Drug I.D. Search by: Imprint Side 1, Imprint Side 2, Dosage Form, Shape, Color, Drug/Product Name, Manufacturer/Labeler, Identifier
Sound Alike: ISMP (Institute for Safe Medication Practices) List of Confused Drug Names Use this list to determine which medications require special safeguards to reduce the risk of errors and minimize harm. This may include strategies such as: - Using both the brand and generic names on prescriptions and labels - Including the purpose of the medication on prescriptions - Configuring computer selection screens to prevent look-alike names from appearing consecutively - Changing the appearance of look-alike product names to draw attention to their dissimilarities

JAMA Theme Issue on Firearms and Violence in the US (9/27/22) The September 27, 2022 issue of JAMA included 11 editorials that provide state-of-the-science information about a wide range of issues related to firearms and violence in the US. Authors addressed topics such as the state-level response to firearm-related harms, the paucity of data on firearm violence, and the pervasive health effects of firearm violence on neighborhoods and in the carceral system. As JAMA Executive Editor Phil B. Fontanarosa, MD, MBA and Editor In Chief Kirsten Bibbins-Domingo, PhD, MD, MAS write in their editorial for this issue, "Firearm violence in the US is an unrelenting clinical, public health, societal, and political concern of major proportion. The morbidity and mortality attributed to firearms have continued to increase; have adversely and profoundly affected individuals, families, and communities; and have exceedingly important consequences for all of society. The frequent occurrence of firearm violence and the repetitive episodes of mass shootings highlight the pervasiveness of firearms and the accessibility of assault weapons and serve as grim reminders that every person in the US is potentially vulnerable to firearm violence."
Bipartisan agreement reached in U.S. Senate on gun reforms (CMA 6/14/22) In the wake of a barrage of mass shootings, the U.S. Senate announced a bipartisan agreement on gun reforms. While the agreement falls short of the wide-ranging reforms passed last week by the U.S. House of Representatives, the California Medical Association (CMA) is encouraged that there has been progress towards ending the decades long impasse over passing any federal gun reform legislation. The House approved gun control legislation—the Protecting Our Kids Act (HR 7910)—with a largely partisan vote of 223-204. CMA stood in strong support of these reforms, which would address some of our nation’s most significant gun violence problems.
CMA calls for immediate action to address epidemic of gun violence - What You Can Do (CMA 6/3/22) With gun violence soaring, it is imperative for Congress to act now. As physicians, our mission is to heal and to maintain health. Physicians are in a unique position to assess risk, provide education and change behaviors related to firearm violence. In 2017, the CMA Firearm Violence Prevention Technical Advisory Committee, composed of physician experts, performed a comprehensive review and analysis of CMA policy, epidemiological data and current scientific research and developed a CMA position statement on the prevention of firearm violence.
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“Physicians have a responsibility as trusted public health figures to respond to the harms associated with firearm violence, both as individual clinicians and as community advocates,” says Dr. Wailes. “I ask my fellow physicians to make a commitment to ask your patients about firearms when appropriate and follow through with support and resources to keep them safe. We can make a difference, one patient at a time.”
What You Can Do Initiative (California Firearm Violence Research Center at UC Davis) The What You Can Do team, with new experts and staff who have joined this expanded effort, is behind BulletPoints and looks forward to working with you to reduce firearm violence. Please visit BulletPointsProject.org for the tools you need to reduce the risk of firearm injury in your patients. If you wish to make a personal commitment to preventing firearm violence as part of your clinical practice, you can do so here on the Annals of Internal Medicine website. The BulletPoints Project is an initiative of the University of California Firearm Violence Research Center, located at UC Davis. It is funded by the State of California as a service to all.
The BulletPoints Project: Clinical Tools for Preventing Firearm Injury (UC Davis) A resource for clinicians and medical educators who are committed to firearm injury prevention. The BulletPoints Project gives clinicians the knowledge and tools they need to reduce the risk of firearm injury and death in their patients. - Clinical Scenarios - Interventions - How to Counsel - Resource Library - Blog - FAQs - Webinar Series (recorded)
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The BulletPoints project is funded by the State of California and developed by the California Firearm Violence Research Center at UC Davis. Some information provided is specific to California; laws in other states may differ.
Video Library: 2 minute Explainer Videos & Webinar Recordings (UC Davis) Informational videos, presentations, and conversations with experts in firearm injury prevention The BulletPoints Project presents new, 2-minute explainer videos on various firearm injury prevention topics. This series was produced with support from the Hope and Heal Fund and Blue Shield of California Foundation. Webinar Series: BulletPoints hosts 20-minute talks on firearm injury prevention for clinicians on the third Tuesday of each month.

'We can't punish our way to safer medical practices': 2 experts on criminalization of medical errors (Becker's Hospital Review 3/1/22) The number of serious patient safety incidents reported to The Joint Commission jumped in 2021, reaching the highest annual level seen since the accrediting body started publicly reporting them in 2007. The organization received 1,197 reports of sentinel events last year, up from 809 in 2020. The most commonly reported safety event was patient falls, followed by delay in treatment and unintended retention of a foreign object.

Climate Week Mon-Fri, Dec. 5-9 (Free Webinars, Boston Globe) This December, join The Boston Globe for its second-annual Climate Week, an event series focusing on the climate emergency and exploring possible paths toward solutions to mitigate the effects of our warming planet. Timing of this year’s Climate Week is aligned with the 2022 Earthshot Awards, which will be presented in Boston.
The Earthshot Prize - Finalists & Winners 2022 From incredible leaders, inspiring activists and brilliant innovators to forward-thinking cities and countries making a real difference, learn about the incredible winners and finalists of The Earthshot Prize from 2021 and 2022.

Joint Commission launches Healthcare Workforce Safety and Well-Being website (Joint Commission Online 7/20/22) The Joint Commission is concerned about the well-being of our nation’s healthcare workers. As U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy said, “The nation’s health depends on the well-being of our health workforce.” To that point, The Joint Commission has launched the Healthcare Workforce Safety and Well-Being Resources website which provides materials developed by The Joint Commission and key healthcare-related organizations, such as the National Academy of Medicine, government agencies (including the Office of the Surgeon General and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health). The content focuses on organization and system-level resources.
Sentinel Event Alert 65: Diagnostic overshadowing among groups experiencing health disparities (TJC)

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