Becker's Hospital Review

143 FINANCE CMO / CARE DELIVERY Polio-like condition in kids likely to spike in coming months, CDC warns By Anuja Vaidya B ased on previous trends, cases of acute flaccid myelitis, a po- lio-like condition in children, may spike in the U.S. between Au- gust and November, a CDC report found. Acute flaccid myelitis is a serious neurologic syndrome that affects most- ly children and is characterized by the acute onset of limb weakness or paralysis. The report, published Aug. 4, includes an analysis of data from 238 patients with confirmed acute flaccid myelitis during 2018. A majority of the patients (86 percent) experienced the onset of the condition between August and November. Most (92 percent) had pro- dromal fever, respiratory illness, or both, beginning a median of 6 days before experiencing limb weakness. Overall, 98 percent of patients were hospitalized, 54 percent were ad- mitted to an intensive care unit, and 23 percent required endotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation. Another peak acute flaccid myelitis year is anticipated this year, but it is unclear "whether or how the COVID-19 pandemic and recommended social-distancing measures will affect" trends, the report states. As of July 31, there have been 16 confirmed cases of acute flaccid my- elitis in 2020. There have been 633 confirmed cases since CDC began tracking the condition in August 2014. n 4 potential reasons the pandemic is exacerbating the opioid crisis By Katie Adams M any counties nationwide have experienced a dangerous up- tick in opioid-related overdoses, a trend that is getting worse as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to disrupt daily pro- cesses, according to upstate New York radio station WRVO. Here are four potential causes for the significant increase in opioid overdoses: 1. The pandemic has disrupted supply chains for street drugs like co- caine and heroin, so many people who use these drugs have found al- ternatives. These alternatives are often mixed with more fentanyl, which makes them stronger and significantly more dangerous. 2. As many in-person medical appointments have transitioned to vir- tual visits to slow the spread of COVID-19, some patients affected by opioid use disorder cannot connect as well with their healthcare pro- viders. Telehealth visits make it easier for patients to hide relapses, and naloxone training may not come across as clearly. 3. Social distancing has made many Americans feel isolated, which is a common trigger that could lead to relapse or overdose. 4. Unemployment has been linked with higher levels of opioid abuse, a problem that persists as many Americans who lost jobs due to the pandemic are still out of work. n How the US is preparing for flu season: 6 things to know By Mackenzie Bean F ederal health officials and drugmakers are tak- ing several steps to boost flu vaccinations this fall and prevent hospitals from becoming over- whelmed with the double whammy of flu season and the COVID-19 pandemic, e Wall Street Journal re- ported Aug. 13. Many countries in the Southern Hemisphere are re- porting fewer flu cases this season, possibly an in- direct benefit of measures to control the spread of COVID-19. However, health officials and other indus- try leaders said they can't assume these precautions will have the same effect in the U.S. erefore, they are preparing for the 2020-21 flu season in the following ways: 1. Drugmakers are ramping up flu shot production. AstraZeneca, Sanofi and GlaxoSmithKline, among others, are manufacturing 200 million flu shots this year, a 13 percent increase from 2019. 2. e CDC is launching a nationwide flu shot cam- paign to encourage more Americans to get vaccinat- ed. During the 2018-19 season, only 45.3 percent of U.S. adults got the flu shot, according to the CDC. e campaign will use social media and radio messaging to highlight the benefits of vaccination to the general public, along with more targeted messaging for popu- lations at high risk of flu complications. 3. Sanofi will use TV commercials to target elderly populations about its flu shot designed for those 65 and up. e drugmaker is also helping physician of- fices roll out drive-thru or curbside flu shot services. 4. Hospitals are ordering more flu shots. While Cleveland-based University Hospitals returned un- used flu vaccines last year, the health system ordered 15 percent more this year to account for greater de- mand. 5. Officials are working to expand access to the vac- cine. Leaders said they want to ensure recently un- employed Americans or those who usually get the flu shot at their offices but are working remotely can get vaccinated at other locations. 6. Pharmacies are implementing social-distancing precautions to ensure Americans' safety when re- ceiving the flu vaccine. Many are setting up tents in parking lots, administering the vaccines curbside or requiring patients to make an appointment to manage volumes. n

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