in North Dakota - Printable Version

in North Dakota - Printable Version

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in North Dakota - 82lsju - 11-10-2020

health care resources getting tight

Quote:Due to a major shortage of health care staffing, the state's hospitals have a severe lack of available beds. Rising COVID-19 hospitalizations and high noncoronavirus admissions, some resulting from residents who deferred health care earlier in the pandemic, have caused the crunch on medical centers.

Burgum said hospitals are implementing their "surge" plans, and some will be voluntarily stopping elective surgeries to free up staff. He added that the state will coordinate with hospitals to move nurses to medical centers in most dire need of staff.

In an attempt to alleviate some of the staffing concerns, Burgum announced that interim State Health Officer Dirk Wilke has amended an order that will allow health care workers with asymptomatic cases of COVID-19 to continue working in hospitals' COVID-19 units. The Republican governor said hospital administrators asked the state to take the extraordinary step.

https://www.grandforksherald.com/newsmd/coronavirus/6753876-With-North-Dakota-hospitals-at-100-capacity-Burgum-announces-COVID-positive-nurses-can-stay-at-work?fbclid=IwAR075bhzx4MJXaFqk3kMZDa9L6s-Wz2zk-8RvW_f9H8fuMvy-fBs8rfQSXg

RE: in North Dakota - M T - 11-10-2020

"an order that will allow health care workers with asymptomatic cases of COVID-19 to continue working in hospitals' COVID-19 units."

But wait, there's more:
"State Health Officer Dirk Wilke has amended an order that will allow health care workers with asymptomatic cases of COVID-19 to continue working in COVID-19 units at hospitals and nursing homes."

Seriously? I guess the idea is that WHEN AT WORK IN HOSPITAL COVID-19 UNITS, they aren't exposing any patients who aren't sick.

As for nursing homes, I guess ND would allow cigarette smoking at ammo depots.

But how about transportation to/from work, at gas stations or bus stops, meals & breaks at work, bathrooms at work, scrub rooms or changing rooms (that may also be used by uninfected individuals), in public areas (ingress/egress from the building, stairs, elevators).

For this, they're getting about 10 extra days of work out of these employee cases. It seems they'd likely lose that much from potential infections acquired by other staff that shared non-COVID areas with these employees.

If all they needed to do is to stop elective procedures (which it seems they are just now doing), it doesn't make sense. This feels like NY sending COVID patients to rehab centers.

From the order:

Quote:The State Health Officer reasonably believes the subject persons are infections[sic] as they have tested positive for2019-nCoV/COVID-19. Individuals who are positive for2019-nCoV/COVID-19 are capable of to transmitting the disease to other people,even with mild symptoms. As a result, the subject persons pose a substantial threat to the public health as they are capable of transmitting the disease to others

All subject persons, as defined by SECTION A, who have previously tested positive for 2019-nCoV/COVID-19, are subject to isolation immediately upon execution of this order and for at least ten (10) days after the onset of symptoms and twenty-four (24) hours after becoming fever free and with symptom improvement.
...
HEALTH CARE WORKERS ARE EXEMPT FROM THIS ORDER SOLEY FOR PURPOSES OF WORKING IN A COVID UNIT WITHIN A LICENSED HEALTH CARE FACILITY AND PROVIDING SERVICES TO INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE TESTED POSITIVE FOR 2019-nCoV/COVID-19, SO LONG AS THEY REMAIN ASYMPTOMATIC AND ADDITIONAL PRECAUTIONS, AS RECOMMENDED BY THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION AND THE NORTH DAKOTA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, ARE IMPLEMENTED TO PROTECT THE WORKER AND THE COMMUNITY.

The previous version of the order is here.

Anyone know of CDC suggesting precautions for COVID-19 cases, who would otherwise be required to isolate, for going to work? "If you are infectious but still go to work, ..." ???

A very bad message if you want the public to isolate!

RE: in North Dakota - dabigv13 - 11-10-2020

Our federal government seems more interested in flirting with a coup rather than the resurgent pandemic, so it will be states for themselves. California still in decent shape but we are on a steady rise without any clear measures to contain this, so I expect in several weeks we may reach a similar threshold where we are back to emergency staffing and delaying elective surgeries.

RE: in North Dakota - fullmetal - 11-10-2020

At least California is unlikely to try and kill its population. El Paso's medical system is in a minor crisis right now, and the local judge issued stay-at-home orders. The Texas state atty general tried to file for an injunction but was denied. The Texas AG is expected to appeal.

Blows my mind that this all happened about a week ago or within the last week, but the news cycle of everything since then swallowed it up.

https://kfoxtv.com/news/local/el-paso-county-judge-to-hold-press-conference-following-state-court-ruling-on-his-lockdown

RE: in North Dakota - M T - 11-10-2020

I, for one, am glad that the federal government isn't driving this bus.

RE: in North Dakota - Farm93 - 11-10-2020

(11-10-2020, 12:48 PM)M T Wrote: I, for one, am glad that the federal government isn't driving this bus.

That's true.

RE: in North Dakota - teejers1 - 11-10-2020

(11-10-2020, 01:32 PM)Farm93 Wrote:
(11-10-2020, 12:48 PM)M T Wrote: I, for one, am glad that the federal government isn't driving this bus.
That's true.

I agree with the basic point; however, the feds were never going to "drive the bus" on the pandemic. For better or worse - meaning there will be lots of variances in formal mandates (or even guidelines) - that is done at county/state level.

RE: in North Dakota - BostonCard - 11-10-2020

(11-10-2020, 12:10 PM)dabigv13 Wrote: Our federal government seems more interested in flirting with a coup rather than the resurgent pandemic, so it will be states for themselves. California still in decent shape but we are on a steady rise without any clear measures to contain this, so I expect in several weeks we may reach a similar threshold where we are back to emergency staffing and delaying elective surgeries.

[tweet]https://twitter.com/yashar/status/1326353284643221505?s=20[/tweet]

I know you practice in the Southland. Hang tight and stay safe.

BC

RE: in North Dakota - dabigv13 - 11-11-2020

[Tweet]https://twitter.com/jayberger/status/1326707135158210560?s=20[/tweet]

ICU and hospitalization rates continuing their steep increase. But I'm not getting the sense that people realize the state of play. Pretty hard to break through all the other things happening right now, but Newsom and Garcetti should be getting in front of cameras and telling people to stay home.

At least mask compliance seems pretty good, so I think that perhaps has been why our trajectory is not quite as steep as other places.

RE: in North Dakota - magnus - 11-11-2020

(11-11-2020, 09:46 PM)dabigv13 Wrote: But I'm not getting the sense that people realize the state of play. Pretty hard to break through all the other things happening right now, but Newsom and Garcetti should be getting in front of cameras and telling people to stay home.

At this point, I think more people are trying to ignore the virus as opposed to avoid it. Easy to do when you likely don't know anyone that got really sick.

I don't think talk alone will be enough. Talk doesn't change behavior as fast as actions. But we're unfortunately, very action averse and even action numb at this point. Even in the most aggressive of states (or maybe more so in the more aggressive states).

I hope I'm wrong.

RE: in North Dakota - teejers1 - 11-11-2020

(11-11-2020, 09:46 PM)dabigv13 Wrote: [Tweet]https://twitter.com/jayberger/status/1326707135158210560?s=20[/tweet]

ICU and hospitalization rates continuing their steep increase. But I'm not getting the sense that people realize the state of play. Pretty hard to break through all the other things happening right now, but Newsom and Garcetti should be getting in front of cameras and telling people to stay home.

At least mask compliance seems pretty good, so I think that perhaps has been why our trajectory is not quite as steep as other places.

1. It's a holiday, right? What did you expect? Isn't it good that people are getting tested?

2. [Alternative quip: Are you sure that's not just any Thursday afternoon?]

BTW, my older brother gets tested a lot, and he says the process is streamlined and easy (and he is in his car, too).

RE: in North Dakota - magnus - 11-11-2020

more importantly, how long does it take to get results?

RE: in North Dakota - M T - 11-11-2020

A friend took the test on a Thursday at Kaiser in either San Mateo or Santa Clara County Thursday (a week ago) and told me of the negative result on Sunday. SCC shows how long it takes from sample to the health department being told. It has been 2.0 +/- 0.2 days for the last 3 weeks.

California says "During the week of October 25 to October 31, the average time patients waited for test results was 1.3 days. During this same time period, 63 percent of patients received test results in 1 day and 88 percent received them within 2 days." Dashboard.

I don't know that this is typical in other parts of the country, or for all test organizations.

RE: in North Dakota - BostonCard - 11-11-2020

Co-worker in SF got his results quickly (a day oI think), but he may have been a priority as his wife is an OB/Gyn and needed to be cleared to get back to work.

BC

RE: in North Dakota - M T - 11-11-2020

(11-11-2020, 09:46 PM)dabigv13 Wrote: ... but Newsom and Garcetti should be getting in front of cameras and telling people to stay home.

SCC issued a press release on Monday "COUNTY OF SANTA CLARA OFFICIALS ARE CALLING ON THE PUBLIC FOR STRICT ADHERENCE TO SAFETY PROTOCOLS AFTER SEEING SHARP UPTICK IN COVID-19 CASES" (Yawn!). I'm somewhat disappointed they haven't publicly announced that things will likely be restricted next Monday, esp. after San Francisco already announced restrictions starting Friday.

[Much later edit: Boy, did my "Yawn!" not convey what I intended. To clarify: The message is important and urgent. But a press release, esp. with that title, seems destined to miss its mark. I agree with the sentiment that they should be doing fullcourt press on this.]

RE: in North Dakota - akiddoc - 11-13-2020

It's time for a full lockdown. Waiting until things are worse is a mistake.

RE: in North Dakota - fullmetal - 11-13-2020

What about "exponential growth" did the policymakers not understand? :(

RE: in North Dakota - 2006alum - 11-13-2020

ND nurses are quite upset about this, too, btw, and their union has objected to the order:

[tweet]https://twitter.com/edwardnh/status/1327247725663039489?s=20[/tweet]

I work in a high-importance setting where full-time WFH is not particularly feasible. We also have some at-risk higher ups that need to be protected at all costs. As a result, our workplace provides free at-home tests delivered to our doorstep whenever we like. Tests arrive a day after we request them, self-administering it takes 30 seconds, we can drop it in the Fed Ex box, and we get the results back by (usually) the end of the following business day. It's a very efficient process and one that, costs aside, should be rolled out as far and wide as possible.

RE: in North Dakota - Hurlburt88 - 11-13-2020

I would be very interested in who provides that service . . . and others here might as well. Can you post, or PM me that info?

I work in a high-importance setting where full-time WFH is not particularly feasible. We also have some at-risk higher ups that need to be protected at all costs. As a result, our workplace provides free at-home tests delivered to our doorstep whenever we like. Tests arrive a day after we request them, self-administering it takes 30 seconds, we can drop it in the Fed Ex box, and we get the results back by (usually) the end of the following business day. It's a very efficient process and one that, costs aside, should be rolled out as far and wide as possible.
[/quote]

RE: in North Dakota - 2006alum - 11-14-2020

(11-13-2020, 11:30 AM)Hurlburt88 Wrote: I would be very interested in who provides that service . . . and others here might as well. Can you post, or PM me that info?

Quote:I work in a high-importance setting where full-time WFH is not particularly feasible. We also have some at-risk higher ups that need to be protected at all costs. As a result, our workplace provides free at-home tests delivered to our doorstep whenever we like. Tests arrive a day after we request them, self-administering it takes 30 seconds, we can drop it in the Fed Ex box, and we get the results back by (usually) the end of the following business day. It's a very efficient process and one that, costs aside, should be rolled out as far and wide as possible.

WellConnectPlus is the gateway but best as I can tell, it's all operated by LabCorp. You log in, order a test, they ship it, you take it, you return it, they give you the rests. Notably, I'm still waiting on the lab result from the test I shipped on Thursday - typically I get an result by the end of the business day after I ship it. So it's possible LabCorp is starting to experience delays too. And it's too bad, because the longer the wait, the less useful the testing becomes. Still, I'm grateful: our system is about as easy and seamless as I've heard possible.