';
Tags Posts tagged with "Department of Health"

Department of Health

Photo by Tai's Captures on Unsplash

The Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) has released an updated Respiratory Virus Outbreak Toolkit for Long-Term Care Facilities, including Personal Care Homes and Assisted Living Residences.

The updated toolkit was developed to provide recommendations for facilities before and during a respiratory virus outbreak. This toolkit covers many respiratory viruses, including influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), COVID-19, adenovirus, and more. While this toolkit does include information about COVID-19, a more detailed toolkit for LTCFs specific to COVID-19 can be found here. This toolkit replaces the previous Influenza Outbreak Toolkit for Long-Term Care Facilities.

DOH is in the process of updating the poster required by the Influenza Awareness Act. In the meantime, providers are encouraged to continue to use the 2023-2024 Poster.

Questions about this communication should be sent electronically.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health (PA DOH) is seeking feedback from organizations operating mobile clinics. They encourage participation in a brief survey, which will take on average 5–7 minutes to complete, to gather insights into how these clinics currently contribute to accessible healthcare statewide. The survey aims to assess the scope of mobile services provided, identify opportunities for collaboration among providers, and explore ways to enhance and expand mobile clinic services. Responses will help shape policies, programs, and partnerships aimed at improving community health care access across Pennsylvania. Access the Mobile Clinic Program Survey here.

The PA Department of Health and Penn State University have created a survey to better understand PPE knowledge amongst healthcare workers in Pennsylvania, including dental providers and office teams. In addition to PPE knowledge, they would like to better understand healthcare worker feelings about vaccinations and mental health. All responses are anonymous.

This survey should take you no more than 10–20 minutes, and people who complete the entire survey will be able to register for two chances to win a $250 gift card. Participants can access the survey here.

If you have any questions regarding the survey, please reference the contact information within the flyer.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health, in partnership with the Northwestern Pennsylvania Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome Coalition and the Ohio Perinatal Quality Collaborative, have created the NAS Family Guide Toolkit to help educate families and individuals about NAS, treatment options, and other supports. Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) is a group of withdrawal symptoms in newborns that show up after being exposed to medications or substances, most often opioids, benzodiazepines, and/or barbiturates, during pregnancy.

Guidance - wooden signpost, roadsign with one arrow

Alison V. Beam, JD, Acting Secretary of Health
Public Health Recommendations for People Fully Vaccinated Against COVID-19 DISTRIBUTION

Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) provides this guidance based on available information about COVID-19 and is subject to change. On July 28, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated their recommendations for individuals who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 given new evidence on the B.1.617.2. (Delta) variant currently circulating in the United States.

Based on these updated recommendations, the Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) is updating guidance for individuals exposed to COVID-19. This guidance, which replaces PA-HAN-566, provides clarification on quarantine guidance and public health mitigation strategies (e.g., masking, social distancing) based on vaccination status.

  • This guidance replaces PA-HAN-566 and provides clarification on quarantine recommendations for persons exposed to SARS-CoV-2.
  • In counties with substantial or high transmission, CDC and DOH recommend all persons, regardless of vaccination status, to wear a mask in public indoor settings.
  • Fully vaccinated people who have had a known exposure to someone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 are to be tested 2–5 days after exposure and should wear a mask in public indoor settings for 14 days or until they receive a negative test.
  • Regardless of vaccination status, any person with new or unexplained symptoms of COVID-19 still needs to isolate and be evaluated for SARS-CoV-2 testing.
  • If you have questions about this guidance, please call your local health department or 877-PA-HEALTH (877-724-3258).