Worker News and Research

RSS

Widely used surgical masks are putting health care workers at serious risk

With medical supplies in high demand, federal authorities say health workers can wear surgical masks for protection while treating COVID-19 patients — but growing evidence suggests the practice is putting workers in jeopardy.

28 Apr 2020

New study can help track the impact of climate change on honey bees

New research from the University of British Columbia and North Carolina State University could help scientists track how climate change is impacting the birds and the bees... of honey bees.

28 Apr 2020

Biden says OSHA isn’t doing enough to protect workers’ from COVID-19

During an April 15 virtual town hall meeting with front-line workers, former Vice President Joe Biden, the Democrats' presumptive nominee for the White House, was asked by a meat processing worker what he would do to protect workers like her from COVID-19.

23 Apr 2020

OSHA probing health worker deaths but urges inspectors to spare the penalties

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has in recent weeks launched investigations into deaths of workers at 34 health care employers across the U.S., federal records show, but former agency officials warn that the agency has already signaled it will only cite and fine the most flagrant violators.

22 Apr 2020

New consensus on managing AMI patients during COVID-19 released

The Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions, along with the American College of Cardiology and American College of Emergency Physicians have released a consensus statement that provides recommendations for a systematic approach for the care of patients with an acute myocardial infarction during the coronavirus disease-2019 pandemic.

21 Apr 2020

‘It hurts our soul’: Nursing home workers struggle with thankless position

In the months before county health officials ordered the evacuation of COVID-19-plagued Magnolia Rehabilitation & Nursing Center, the facility's employees complained of bounced checks.

21 Apr 2020

Cost-effective plastic canopy system protects health workers at risk of airborne coronavirus infection

Researchers have designed a cost-effective, constant flow plastic canopy system that can help to protect healthcare workers who are at risk of airborne coronavirus infection while delivering non-invasive ventilation or oxygen via high flow nasal canula, according to a research letter published in the European Respiratory Journal.

20 Apr 2020

Research examines impact of coronavirus pandemic on young carers

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on young carers is being examined in a new research project involving the University of East Anglia.

17 Apr 2020

Interactive tool helps identify potential shortages of COVID-19 workforce

As the U.S. healthcare workforce struggles to care for a rise in COVID-19 cases, there are growing reports that there are not enough workers to meet the surge in demand.

16 Apr 2020

‘I wasn’t eating’: Senior twin sisters battle pandemic anxiety together

Ethel Sylvester dialed 911, trembling with fear. The 92-year-old felt hot. She thought turning off her thermostat could fix the problem. That didn't help.

16 Apr 2020

Coronavirus nurses ask an Ebola veteran: Is it OK to be afraid?

Martha Phillips knows exactly how it feels to suddenly find oneself up close to — and unprotected from — a deadly virus.

16 Apr 2020

A desperate scramble as COVID-19 families vie for access to plasma therapy

Stephen Garcia's family is frantic. The auto body worker, just 32 years old, has been on a ventilator in a Los Angeles-area hospital for nearly two weeks, gravely ill with COVID-19, unresponsive — and unaware of the battle they're waging on his behalf.

15 Apr 2020

True toll of COVID-19 on U.S. health care workers unknown

The number of health care workers who have tested positive for the coronavirus is likely far higher than the reported tally of 9,200, and U.S. officials say they have no comprehensive way to count those who lose their lives trying to save others.

15 Apr 2020

Should infants be separated from coronavirus infected mothers?

Since the novel coronavirus infection emerged a couple of months ago, guidelines about its treatment and precautionary measures are still evolving based on evidence and research. For mothers and infants, there is contradicting information on whether they should be kept together or separated for fear of transmission.

13 Apr 2020

Sanders: In coronavirus relief effort, Congress fell short on paid sick leave

The pressure is building for Congress to pass a fourth coronavirus relief bill, beyond the roughly $2.2 trillion already approved to keep people and businesses viable during an unprecedented viral attack.

13 Apr 2020

‘It’s like walking into Chernobyl,’ one doctor says of her emergency room

At one New York City hospital, a doctor’s used mask tore as she performed CPR on her infected patient.

11 Apr 2020

Recommendations for keeping cancer patients, providers safe during COVID-19 pandemic

The National Comprehensive Cancer Network--an alliance of leading cancer centers--is continuing to share new resources for optimal cancer management amid new and changing challenges related to the Coronavirus Disease 2019.

10 Apr 2020

Novel ventilator bed hoods keep coronavirus contained within ICU

Researchers from the University of Melbourne have come up with devices called ventilation hoods that could help decrease the spread of COVID-19 from ICU patients to health workers who treat them, and to other patients.

9 Apr 2020

‘Baby, I can’t breathe’: America’s first ER doctor to die in heat of COVID-19 battle

At about 5 a.m. on March 19, a New York City ER physician named Frank Gabrin texted a friend about his concerns over the lack of medical supplies at hospitals.

9 Apr 2020

Emergency 'Skuba' mask validated for healthcare use

Multidisciplinary project from Alicante University (UA) Artefactos recently validated the emergency "Skuba" mask for healthcare use. In light of the infection speed of the COVID-19 virus and the lack of certified protective equipment, at Artefactos they have developed and manufactured an emergency breathing mask by adapting a commercial snorkel mask.

8 Apr 2020