SCC HEALTH ADVISORY: Xylazine Presence in Illicit Drug Supply (P2) DATE: April 3, 2023 TO: All Healthcare Providers FROM: Michelle Jorden, MD, F-ABMDI Chief Medical Examiner - Coroner Akanksha Vaidya, MD, MPH Assistant Public Health Officer HEALTH ADVISORY: XYLAZINE PRESENCE IN ILLICIT DRUG SUPPLY Xylazine, a non-opioid agent developed as a veterinary tranquilizer, has been increasingly detected in the nation’s illicit opioid supply. Xylazine has been associated with fatal overdoses and chronic wounds, with areas in the Northeast USA being heavily impacted. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Laboratory System reported that in 2022, approximately 23% of fentanyl powder and 7% of fentanyl pills seized by the DEA contained xylazine. In Santa ... April 3, 2023 General, Healthcare, Public Health 0 0 Comment Read More »
Health Order Requiring Use of Face Masks in Patient Care Areas of Health Care Delivery Facilities During Designated Winter Respiratory Virus Period; Rescission of Prior Health Orders DATE OF ORDER: March 24, 2023 EFFECTIVE DATE: April 4, 2023 UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF CALIFORNIA HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE SECTION 120175, THE HEALTH OFFICER OF THE COUNTY OF SANTA CLARA (“HEALTH OFFICER”) ORDERS: Background and Purpose. The Health Officer makes this Order in light of historical data showing higher rates of COVID-19, influenza, respiratory syncytial virus, and other viral infections that can cause severe respiratory disease among people living in Santa Clara County annually between late fall and spring. This seasonal increase in circulation of multiple respiratory viruses causes a particular risk ... March 28, 2023 Public Health Health Order 0 0 Comment Read More »
California Senate’s New Health Chair to Prioritize Mental Health and Homelessness Article by Rachel Bluth of California Healthline California state Sen. Susan Talamantes Eggman, a Stockton Democrat who was instrumental in passing Gov. Gavin Newsom’s signature mental health care legislation last year, has been appointed to lead the Senate’s influential health committee, a change that promises a more urgent focus on expanding mental health services and moving homeless people into housing and treatment. Eggman, a licensed social worker, co-authored the novel law that allows families, clinicians, first responders, and others to petition a judge to mandate government-funded treatment and services for people ... January 9, 2023 General, legislation, Medi-Cal, Mental Health, Patient Care, Public Health Health Care Reform, Homelessness 0 0 Comment Read More »
CDPH HEALTH ADVISORY: Reminder to Lower Barriers to Prescribing COVID-19 Therapeutics to Mitigate Impact of COVID-19 December 2, 2022 California Department of Public Health Link California Medical Association Link Background Currently, COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are increasing in California. Importantly, other viruses such as influenza and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) are also circulating, affecting vulnerable populations including children and the elderly, and straining the state's healthcare systems. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and California Department of Public Health (CDPH) recommend that everyone 6 months of age or older has an annual influenza vaccine and stays up to date with COVID-19 vaccines, including the bivalent booster that is ... December 12, 2022 COVID19, Patient Care, Public Health 0 0 Comment Read More »
CMA partners with UC Davis on free online CME course on preventing firearm violence The California Medical Association (CMA) has partnered with the University of California, Davis (UC Davis) BulletPoints Project on a free online course to help physicians and other health care providers reduce gun violence. The hour-long on-demand training teaches clinicians how to identify at-risk patients and how to intervene according to the type and level of risk of firearm violence. Each year, nearly 50,000 people in the United States die from firearm-related injuries, and twice as many are treated in emergency departments for nonfatal firearm injuries. In recent years, during the COVID-19 pandemic, ... November 14, 2022 CMA, General, Physician Workforce, Public Health, Trauma Informed Care CME, Firearm Prevention 0 0 Comment Read More »
