The ANSI Federation and standardization community are stepping up with guidance, resources, and initiatives to support public health, safety, and infrastructure during the COVID-19 outbreak. ANSI is monitoring, sharing, and promoting appropriate news to highlight these efforts. Suggestions for news items may be submitted to [email protected]. All submissions are published at ANSI's discretion.
Philips Announces Collaboration to Further Commitment to Telehealth
To drive telehealth strategies across hospital settings into the home during COVID-19, Philips reports its continued collaboration with the American Telemedicine Association.
According to the press release: "As the world begins to move from the first wave of reactive care, into a more proactive phase and beyond, virtual care solutions are supporting the recovery of COVID patients as they transition through their care journey, and non-COVID patients as they return to elective surgeries, diagnoses, prevention and treatments that have been put on hold since the onset of the pandemic."
"Our alignment with ATA will help promote strong growth and faster adoption of telehealth and policy changes escalated during the COVID crisis as we pivot to innovate ‘virtual first' strategies to support hospitals, payers, and patients across care settings, including digital health technologies to support healthy living in the home," said Roy Jakobs, chief business leader, connected care, member of the executive committee at Royal Philips.
Philips has helped expand virtual connected care efforts through partnership and innovation, and recently announced that it has received 510(k) clearance from the Food and Drug Administration for its wireless wearable biosensor (Philips Biosensor BX100) to help manage confirmed and suspected COVID-19 patients in the hospital. The wearable biosensor enhances clinical surveillance as part of the Philips patient deterioration detection solution to help clinicians detect risk so they can intervene earlier and help improve care for patients in lower acuity care areas.
See more about the collaboration via the recent press release.
NADCA Issues Building Reopening Preparation for Facility Managers
The National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) has issued guidance for facilities, in an effort to support HVAC system assessment, cleaning, and maintenance.
"Now more than ever, indoor air quality is a primary concern for building occupants. As facilities begin to reopen and buildings become reoccupied, consideration should be given to HVAC assessment, cleaning and maintenance to ensure the HVAC system is operating properly. HVAC systems that have not been properly maintained or are performing poorly can have a negative impact on indoor air quality," according to NADCA.
Preparation guidelines include HVAC system inspection, cleaning, and other considerations, including information on COVID-19 and its impact on HVAC systems.
Access the information on the NADCA website.
NAM Launches ‘Wear a Face Covering' Ad Campaign
The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) has launched a ‘Wear a Face Covering' advertising campaign targeting key manufacturing areas including Wisconsin, Michigan, and Ohio, which underscores how mask-wearing is linked to safeguarding jobs and economic recovery.
In a new video, NAM explains that COVID-19 has taken the lives of more people in the United States than a large sold out sporting stadium. The video continues, "Before American COVID-19 deaths exceed two sold-out stadiums, let's act."
"There are no excuses left. While we have learned more and more about this deadly virus, the guidance from our nation's healthcare experts has evolved," NAM president and CEO Jay Timmons said in a news release. "Today, we know that the best and most certain way to stop the spread is for everyone to wear a facial covering. It isn't fun. It isn't pleasant. But through shared responsibility, we can get this pandemic under control and save small businesses and jobs."
See the NAM press announcement with a link to the video.
See more ANSI member efforts in the ANSI COVID-19 Resource Webpage Highlighting Standardization Community Response Efforts.