UNP Awareness Campaign; Critical 8 For A Stronger State

PRESS RELEASE: For Immediate Release

Patients with COVID-19 Can Become Critical Within 24 Hours; Know The Critical 8 For A Stronger State

Utah Nurse Practitioners Association urging Utahns to “Give Us A Hand” as COVID-19 rapidly spreading

Salt Lake City, Utah, April 10, 2020: Utah Nurse Practitioners (UNP) are on the “front lines” of providing healthcare to some of the sickest patients in the state. Utah Nurse Practitioners are desperately urging people to recommit to follow CDC recommendations. Utah’s coronavirus numbers are only just beginning to rise and health care workers need everyone to help fight the COVID-19 war to decrease the devastation. 

“Nurse Practitioners know that patients who become ill from COVID-19 infections aren’t just sick, they quickly become critical,” said Melissa Hinton, a Doctorate Nurse Practitioner and the President of the state association for Utah Nurse Practitioners, Inc. “As Nurse Practitioners care for COVID-19 patients across Utah, they note that the patients are younger than expected and must rely on mechanical ventilation for longer in intensive care units than patients who were infected with the H1N1 and SARS viruses.”

The latest reports on COVID-19 show that although elderly patients are most likely to experience the most complications. “ People as young as 20 are part of the nearly 10% of Utahns hospitalized for COVID-19 infection and will likely see these numbers rise. Coronavirus is a traumatic illness that many reports are causing complete bed rest for 2+ weeks,” says Hinton. She reminds us that “Dr. Anthony Fauci stated that coronavirus (i.e. SARS-CoV-2) is 10 times more lethal than the flu which means that everyone has 10 times the risk of fatality, including the young. Even in healthy persons, there is a strong risk that younger people are spreading the disease unknowingly to people who cannot fight it.“ COVID-19 can be a traumatic illness even if a patient is not hospitalized.

The association of Utah Nurse Practitioners reminds Utah that the next few weeks are critical to Utah’s success in “crushing the curve.” We can save lives if everyone works to slow the spread. To help citizens remember CDC guidelines that have expanded, UNP asks Utahns to learn the Critical 8 For A Stronger State part of their awareness campaign to redouble safety precautions:

• Greet others without handshakes, hugging, or another physical touch.
• Clean high-touch surfaces frequently, like cell phones, doorknobs, toilet flush handles, countertops, etc.
• Practice frequent hand and wrist washing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds and use hand sanitizers when you can’t wash.
• Continue social distancing of at least 6 feet or more for the safety of others, even if you are wearing a mask. Socialize and work via technology.
• Wear cloth masks when in any public situation and at work. Save the medical-grade masks for health care workers.
• Be conscious about not touching your face and cough into your elbow or a Kleenex. Wash your hands after coughing or sneezing.
• Stay hydrated and make healthy food choices. Don’t share drinks, dishes, or utensils.
• Avoid any travel except for emergencies, limit shopping, and other errands, and stay safe at home

Nurse Practitioners (NPs or APRNs), master’s and doctorate degree healthcare providers, who are independent practice authority to provide high quality, cost-effective, and evidence-based care to patients in Utah. We are board-certified as health care providers and work in a variety of health care settings including hospitals, primary care, telehealth, midwifery, pediatrics, geriatrics, oncology, women’s health care, occupational health, research, psychiatry, and education.

Contact: Melissa J. Hinton, President, Utah Nurse Practitioners president@unp.org