Public Policy Updates

NIOSH honored the request of two companies to voluntarily rescind approvals of these filtering facepiece respirators (FFR). Innonix Technologies Limited: Approval numbers 84A-7641 and 84A-7796, N95 Filtering Facepieces. United States Mask, LLC: Approval number 84A-9393, N95 respirator. As of September 19, 2024, respirators bearing these NIOSH approval numbers may no longer be used, manufactured, assembled, … Continued

September 8-14, 2024, is Environment Services (EVS) Week, a time to show appreciation for the dedicated EVS personnel that ensure healthcare facilities across the country are clean, safe places for patients, their families and other staff members. Show your appreciation for your EVS team with products and resources from the Association for the Health Care … Continued

The CDC has confirmed a human case of avian influenza A(H5) reported in Missouri. This is the 14th human case of H5 reported in the U.S. during 2024 and the first case of H5 without a known occupational exposure to sick or infected animals. The patient, who had underlying medical conditions, was hospitalized, treated with influenza antiviral … Continued

The CDC Clinician Outreach and Communications Activity (COCA) team will host a webinar on “New Clinical Tools and Resources to Support Patients with Prolonged Symptoms and Concerns about Lyme Disease.” The webinar will be on Thursday, September 19 at 2 – 3 pm ET. Read more.

The Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC) held a public meeting on August 22. Workgroups on Isolation Precautions, Dental Unit Waterlines, and Infection Control in HCP presented updates on their activities. Although the official meeting minutes are not yet available, CDC published a summary of key issues discussed at the meeting. Read the HICPAC … Continued

CMS has updated the Quality Reporting Program (QRP) Quality Measure Calculations and Reporting User’s Manual Version 6.0 for post-acute care (PAC) settings. These documents update the specifications used to calculate quality measures that are included in the CMS QRPs. Read the updated manuals for the Skilled Nursing Facility QRP, Inpatient Rehab Facility QRP, and Long-Term … Continued

NIOSH is observing Respiratory Protection Week September 3-6, 2024. The observance began as N95 Day on September 5, 2012 (9/5, get it?), and was expanded to a week-long observance in 2019 to mark the 100th anniversary of the first respirator certification program in the U.S. NIOSH marks the week by providing resources for workers who … Continued

The FDA approved and granted emergency use authorization (EUA) for updated mRNA COVID-19 vaccines with the 2024-2025 formula that more closely targets the currently circulating variants. Read more.

The FDA will host a webinar to discuss new guidance to clarify the distinction between servicing and remanufacturing medical devices, and the different regulatory responsibilities for these activities. The webinar will be on Tuesday, September 10 at 1:00 – 2:00 pm ET. Read more.