WA State DOH Lacks Transparency In Covid-19 Training and Awareness
WA State citizens and media should look at what actions (if any) the WA State Department of Health took to educate healthcare providers and hospitals concerning Covid-19. What training and publications were provided since the Wuhan virus came into the news? The WA State website is lacking in conveying any information or training. FAQ’s are minor edits of prior novel virus strains and CDC publications. Most are basic common sense of items for flu season and hygiene. The only significant update was a Covid-19 reporting form added March 2020. WA DOH is the principal point of contact for local providers during emergencies and training, not the national CDC (media conveniently glosses over that fact).
Was extra training on identifying potential carriers and patient care relevant to Covid-19 provided by WA State DOH? If so, it is not reflected in the information provided to the public. Review of the various WA State Department of Health website pages is provided.
WA DOH appears more about bureaucrats collecting a paycheck than ensuring the state’s healthcare providers offer quality care to the public.
The Washington State Dept of Health Influenza (Flu) page provides general brochures and resources for common flu strains and some novel flu. The flu alert bulletins sent to various types of facilities are a general seasonal alert to flu season and basic hygiene guidelines most are Sept 2019. Most resources are from the CDC.
https://www.doh.wa.gov/ForPublicHealthandHealthcareProviders/PublicHealthSystemResourcesandServices/Immunization/InfluenzaFluInformation
Washington State Healthcare Reporting Forms
Novel Corona Virus and Covid-19 Reporting forms were not prepared until March 2020. The webpage states:
“Reporting Notifiable Conditions
In Washington State, health care providers, health care facilities, laboratories, veterinarians, food service establishments, child day care facilities, and schools are legally required to notify public health authorities at their local health jurisdiction of suspected or confirmed cases of selected diseases or conditions. These are referred to as notifiable conditions.”
(pic shows current novel virus reporting forms, no prior Novel virus forms listed)
https://www.doh.wa.gov/ForPublicHealthandHealthcareProviders/NotifiableConditions/ListofNotifiableConditions
Rule Making webpage
No recent information on Covid-19 was found. Rule Making meetings cover all aspects of public health monitored by the DOH, not just health care. Covid-19 is slated for the March 11, 2020 meeting.
Tumwater Nov 18, 2020 meeting - no discussion or material on the flu or Covid-19
Tumwater Jan 8 2020 meeting – no discussion or material on Covid-19, including Item 9 Notifiable Conditions revisions.
Tumwater EHS Feb 14, 2020 meeting – water quality meeting so no Covid-19 details.
Olympia March 11, 2020 agenda – Item 8 notates update on Covid-19 (30 minutes allotted)
https://www.doh.wa.gov/ForPublicHealthandHealthcareProviders/NotifiableConditions/RuleMaking
Training for Public Health Professionals webpage
No specific training for influenza, novel virus or Covid-19 noted. Appears mostly management training.
https://www.doh.wa.gov/ForPublicHealthandHealthcareProviders/PublicHealthSystemResourcesandServices/TrainingforPublicHealthProfessionals
Emergencies / Current Issues / Covid-19 webpage
The Covid-19 webpage states confirmation by WA DOH and CDC was Jan 21 2020 and a call line has been established. The page provides states and general flu and hygiene faqs (but the add the term Covid-19 so it is specific). Most material links are for CDC prepared resources. No specific training for healthcare providers is noted on the Covid-19 page.
https://www.doh.wa.gov/Emergencies/Coronavirus
WA Dept of Health Newsroom webpage
Covid-19 press releases include:
Feb 7 2020 “Area Near Shoreline Public Health Lab Identified as Possible Quarantine Location For Healthy Travelers”
Feb 28 2020 “Additional Cases of COVID-19 in Washington State”
WA Dept of Health Publications webpage
Flu publications are general Influenza season items updated for the 2019-2020 season and ’18-’19 season webseminars.
What training and education did the WA Dept of Health provide for Covid-19? … crickets
(follow-up diggs to post >>8336750 Bread #10673)