Updates on how cases of COVID, flu, and RSV are affecting the U.S. healthcare system.
By Paul Girouard
It has been a tough few months for friends, family, and business associates. I lost track of the number of times I had heard the following conversation, “I was knocked out last week, I think I had COVID …” We have all gotten a little complacent and view COVID as something in the rear-view mirror, an issue from 2020. We have all been in denial. But here are some facts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) you can find at CDC.gov:
COVID-19
There was an average of 31,823 new hospital admissions during January. During this same time period, 2.8% of emergency department visits were diagnosed with COVID-19.
Flu
The CDC estimates that from October 1, 2023, to January 20, 2024 there have been up to 35 million flu cases, up to 16 million medical visits related to flu, and up to 440,000 hospitalizations due to the flu.
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
In the 2023-2024 season the overall rate of RSV associated hospitalizations was 38.8 per 100,000 people. RSV is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms. However, it can be dangerous for babies, toddlers, and older adults and those with compromised immune systems. The vaccine is recommended for those over 60 years of age.
As dramatic as those numbers are, they are most likely under reported for the following reasons: the patient did not get tested, didn’t visit a healthcare facility, went undiagnosed, and went unreported.
The recommended guidelines for prevention of COVID-19, flu and RSV all very similar. Together, they all help break the chain of infection:
- Get vaccinated, and stay current with boosters
- Isolate from others when sick, avoid close contact
- If a healthcare professional is sick, or tested positive, they should stay home
- Use PPE (gloves, mask) when you are near those known to be sick
- Cover coughs and sneezes, use tissue to cover, not your hands
- Wash your hands thoroughly (for at least 20 seconds) with soap and water. If soap and water is not readily available, use a hand sanitizer
- Clean/disinfect high touch surfaces within healthcare settings
In previous articles, I’ve mentioned a few different ways to cover all product areas to help reinforce these guidelines. Build formularies, checklists, and reports that include all the key areas of the infection prevention category; including hand hygiene, surface disinfectants, gloves, masks/PPE, diagnostic tests, vaccines and all of the items necessary to administer vaccinations.
Your business tied to the infection prevention category should be strong and growing in the 2023/2024 season. It should be an important part of your overall business. In the 30 years that I have worked in and around healthcare distribution, there has been a flu season. COVID-19 and RSV will be similar. Unfortunately, these aren’t one-time events. We need to help plan and protect healthcare professionals and their patients for years to come.
Wash your hands!