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Washington has a confirmed a case of 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in a Snohomish County resident (a traveler who recently returned from Wuhan, China). You likely have received related communications and updated precautions for patients who are at risk. WA-ACEP thought it important to provide additional communication. For review, links are provided to current information and recommendations.

Please see your local health jurisdiction for additional information. As the situation evolves, WA-ACEP will continue to monitor and collaborate with local, regional and state public health agencies where needed.

Among the recent recommendations:

• A travel and exposure history should be obtained for patients being evaluated for fever and acute respiratory illness.
• Patients in the US  who have fever and symptoms of lower respiratory illness and who have a history of travel from Wuhan City or close contact with a patient under investigation for the novel coronavirus, as well as those with fever or lower respiratory symptoms and close contact with a laboratory-confirmed case of the novel coronavirus should be evaluated as a patient under investigation in association with the outbreak.
• Patients under investigation should be asked to wear a surgical mask and evaluated in a private, closed room. Eye protection and standard contact precautions should be utilized by health care providers.
• Criteria for a person under investigation (PUI) per CDC is noted below
• Infection control personnel and local/state health departments should be notified immediately of any patients under investigation for the novel coronavirus.
• Public health agencies in collaboration with the CDC will assist with proper patient testing.  Patients positive for other respiratory pathogens at this time are no longer considered possible Wuhan Coronavirus patients (may change)

Links regarding 2019-nCoV:

Washington State DOH

CDC

King County Public Health

ACEP

Click Here to see the latest Newsletter from WA-ACEP

January 2020 Newsletter email admin@washingtonacep.org to subscribe to future mailings

WA-ACEP Represents at the 2019 ACEP Scientific Assembly

ACEP 2019 Scientific Assembly in Denver From left to right: Herbie Duber, MD; Ryan Keay, MD, FACEP, Gregg Miller, MD, Liam Yore, MD, FACEP, Chris Kang, MD, FACEP, Cameron Buck, MD, FACEP, Nancy Auer, MD, FACEP, Carl Heine, MD, FACEP,K Kay Moody, MD, FACEP, Jennifer L’Hommedieu Stankus, JD, MD, FACEP, Cailey Nickerson, Hon. Nathan Schlicher, MD, JD, FACEP, Callan Fockele, Steve Anderson, MD, FACEP

Washington state was represented by 8 councilors and 4 alternates at the 2019 ACEP Scientific Assembly in Denver, CO this last October. WA-ACEP contributed in the discussion surrounding resolutions regarding Universal Healthcare, Balanced Billing, Mental Health Care for Vulnerable Populations, Allowing Emergency Physicians to prescribe buprenorphine and more. Click the following link for a full Summary of Resolution Outcomes.

Click Here to see our latest newsletter from WA-ACEP

ACEP Workplace Violence Resources, includes Best Practice Checklist, Legislative Worksheet, and other resources.

Workplace Violence Toolkit (produced by the American Society for Healthcare Risk Management)

What’s the Law: State by State

Dr. Stephen Anderson, WA-ACEP Past President and ACEP Chairman of the Board of Directors, auctioned off the honor of cutting his “tail” to the highest bidder at the Emergency Medicine Foundation (EMF) reception Oct. 1 on the USS Midway in San Diego. WA-ACEP members pooled their resources and won the privilege. See a video of Steve’s haircut and make a donation to EMF to help the chapter pay for the trim.