Workplace

Hospital COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate Upheld by Federal Court Earlier this week, Houston (Texas) Methodist Hospital suspended without pay 178 healthcare workers for refusing COVID-19 vaccinations in violation of the hospital’s new mandate that all of their nearly 25,000 employees be Read More

Can an Indiana employer require Covid-19 vaccination as a condition of employment? As a general rule: Yes, a private employer can require an employee to get a vaccination, but most employers shouldn’t need to do this to ensure a safe Read More

Spring Break & COVID-19 Indianapolis was the city with the highest hotel occupancy rate in the nation this past week, thanks to hosting the NCAA men’s basketball tournament. However, it is not the only place seeing an increase in travel, Read More

Expanding Vaccine Administration Work Force Last week, the Department of Health and Human Services expanded the range of health professionals eligible for liability protection while prescribing, dispensing and administering Covid-19 countermeasures, including vaccines. According to Bloomberg, this liability shied expansion Read More

Vaccine Rollout – New Vaccine, Outreach Efforts Addressing Equity Johnson & Johnson submitted an Emergency Use Authorization application for its one-dose COVID-19 vaccine on Thursday. The application, which will be reviewed by the Food and Drug Administration at its February Read More

Worker Safety A lawsuit in an Oregon Federal Court highlights concerns about failing to adequately engage non-English speaking workers in workplace pandemic safety efforts. During the COVID-19 pandemic, food processing plants have been a frequent outbreak hot spots, and such Read More

COVID-19 & Workplace Violence The CDC has released guidance on how employers can help limit workplace violence associated with policies such as requiring that customers wear masks. Attorneys writing for Bloomberg Law also recommend that employers recognize and prepare for Read More

Nursing Home Quality & Safety Earlier this month, the Coronavirus Commission for Safety and Quality in Nursing Homes issued their final report for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). The task of the Commission was “to solicit lessons Read More

All Nursing Homes Must Test Facility Residents, Staff, others for Covid-19 A new rule was issued Tuesday by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) requiring long term care facilities to test their facility residents, staff, volunteers and individuals Read More

The Moral Determinants of Health – legendary health care researcher Donald Berwick authors a Viewpoint in the Journal of the American Medical Association arguing for health professionals and systems embracing the moral determinants of health, including a “strong sense of Read More