health care

New York's Temporary Overflow Hospitals Remain Underused Despite COVID-19 Crisis

4:12pm April 07, 2020

by Rebecca Hersher

Two temporary hospital facilities are open in New York City inside a major convention center and aboard a Navy hospital ship. But so far, both have far fewer patients than they can handle.

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Health & Safety

Health Care Workers Confront Equipment Shortages, Infection Threat, Emotional Stress

4:12pm April 07, 2020

Nurses and residents are confronting shortages of personal protective equipment and are being told to return to work soon after falling ill themselves. They worry they could make their patients sick.

An inspector general's survey of U.S. hospitals finds them scrambling for supplies — even food and toilet paper. They've had to get masks from nontraditional places like autobody shops and nail salons, and also ask for handmade donations.

Health & Safety

U.S. Hospitals Surveyed Plea For More Federal Coordination Of Testing And Supplies

8:29pm April 06, 2020

by Selena Simmons-Duffin

An office of the Department of Health and Human Services surveyed 323 U.S. hospitals and found shortages of "intravenous therapy poles, medical gas, linens and food." Many are still scrambling.

A health care worker staffs a drive-through coronavirus testing site in Jericho, N.Y., the state that remains the hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. The disease has killed more than 10,000 people in the U.S., including 4,758 in New York.

More Than 10,000 People Have Now Died From COVID-19 In The U.S.

6:27pm April 06, 2020

by Bill Chappell

The U.S. trails only Italy (16,523 dead) and Spain (13,055 dead) in the number of people lost to the pandemic.

Health & Safety

Surgical Mask Manufacturer In Texas Is Inundated With Requests

4:59pm April 06, 2020

NPR's Mary Louise Kelly speaks with Mike Bowen, whose company Prestige Ameritech makes surgical masks in Texas, about why he's unhappy about the flood of orders coming in for his product.

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"While none of this is good news, the ... possible flattening of the curve is better than the increases that we have seen," New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Monday. He is seen last month following the arrival of the U.S. Naval hospital ship Comfort to New

With Coronavirus Deaths 'Essentially Flat' Last Two Days, NY Gov. Sees 'Good Signs'

4:57pm April 06, 2020

by Brakkton Booker

Gov. Andrew Cuomo said there were 599 coronavirus deaths statewide since Sunday. He said it may suggest a "possible flattening of the curve" but also warned numbers were inconclusive.

Acting Prime Minister Leo Varadkar worked as a doctor for seven years before going into politics.

Irish Leader Returns To Medicine To Help Battle COVID-19 Pandemic

4:03pm April 06, 2020

by Vanessa Romo

Acting Prime Minister Leo Varadkar reregistered as a medical practitioner with the country's Health Service Executive in March and will begin to work one shift a week.

The USNS Comfort hospital ship, which is docked at a Manhattan pier, is adjusting its procedures to accept patients more quickly. The ship is intended to accept non-coronavirus referrals from New York hospitals.

In New York, Overflow Hospitals At Javits And On Navy Ship Have Been Largely Empty

1:34pm April 06, 2020

More than 14,000 people have now been hospitalized in New York City for COVID-19. But two large overflow facilities have been operating far below their capacity.

How The U.S. Can Prepare For The Next Pandemic

5:25pm April 05, 2020

NPR's Michel Martin speaks with Dr. David Skorton, president and CEO of the Association of American Medical Colleges, about ways the U.S. should prepare for the next pandemic.

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Vizient, a group purchasing organization that negotiates lower prices with drug manufacturers, sent recommendations that the Food and Drug Administration expand access to drugs heavily used with ventilator patients.

U.S. May Get More Ventilators But Run Out Of Medicine For COVID-19 Patients

5:16pm April 04, 2020

by Melissa Block

There have been dramatic spikes in demand for sedatives, pain medications, paralytics and other drugs that are crucial for patients who are on ventilators.