Updates: Characteristics of Patients Experiencing Rehospitalization or Death after Hospital Discharge in a National Outbreak of E-cigarette, or Vaping, Product Use–Associated Lung Injury (EVALI); and Interim Guidance for Health Care Professionals Caring for Patients with Suspected EVALI and Reducing the Risk for Rehospitalization and Death Following Hospital Discharge — United States, 2019
Summary Dear COCA Partners and Subscribers, we would like to notify you of two newly released Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Reports (MMWRs) on the topic of EVALI. A complementary report, Interim Guidance for Health Care Professionals Caring for Patients with Suspected EVALI and Reducing the Risk for Rehospitalization and Death Following Hospital Discharge — United States, 2019, released simultaneously, provides updated clinical guidance for patient management, discharge planning, and follow-up care for hospitalized patients to minimize the risk of readmission or death. Background The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Food and Drug Administration, state and local health departments, and public health and clinical stakeholders continue to investigate a nationwide outbreak of e-cigarette, or vaping, product use–associated lung injury. EVALI remains a diagnosis of exclusion because, at present, no specific test or marker exists for its diagnosis, and evaluation should be guided by clinical judgment. |
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Recommendations for Clinicians and Public Health These reports contain updated guidance to clinicians and offer new recommendations and tools to support health care providers before and during hospital discharge to minimize the risk of rehospitalization or death. Incorporating these updated recommendations into the management of patients with EVALI may minimize risk of rehospitalization and avert further mortality among patients hospitalized for EVALI.
CDC has created several Resources for Health Care Providers who treat EVALI patients, including an updated algorithm for management of patients with suspected EVALI and an EVALI Discharge Readiness Checklist. As this investigation continues, CDC encourages clinicians to continue to report possible cases of EVALI to their local or state health department for further investigation. For further information, please read the complete MMWR reports: In addition, updates, when available, can be found on the CDC Outbreak of Lung Injury Associated with E-Cigarette Use, or Vaping page. The Emergency Risk Communication Branch in the Division of Emergency Operations, Center for Preparedness and Response is responsible for the management of all COCA products. CDC and HHS logos are the exclusive property of the Department of Health and Human Services and may not be used for any purpose without prior express written permission. Use of trade names and commercial sources is for identification only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
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