EVALI (E-cigarette or Vaping product use-Associated Lung Injury)

Being a physician in the District in the 21st century means being on the front line of the most pressing public health issues in the world. In our small geographic boundaries, physicians help address issue found in every state all in one area. The issues are too lengthy to list on one webpage but physicians are on the front lines of addressing health issues for all District residents.

News, Statements, and Testimony on Health Equity Issues

25th Council session information coming soon.

EVALI (E-cigarette or Vaping product use-Associated Lung Injury)

Feb 1, 2020, 00:00 AM by MSDC staff

The latest information on E-cigarette or Vaping product use-Associated Lung Injury.

Numbers from the CDC

2,711: # of cases of hospitalized e-cigarette, or vaping, product use associated lung injury (EVALI)

60: # of confirmed deaths from vaping-related lung injury have been confirmed in 25 states and the District of Columbia

The CDC figures above are as of January 21, 2020.

Note: As of December 4, 2019, CDC figures only report hospitalized EVALI cases and EVALI deaths regardless of hospitalization status. CDC has removed nonhospitalized cases from previously reported cases counts. For more, see the CDC's "Outbreak of Lung Injury Associated with E-cigarette, or Vaping, Products"

Note as of November 21: CDC states it "has identified vitamin E acetate as a chemical of concern among people with EVALI. ... CDC laboratory testing of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid samples (fluid samples collected from the lungs) from 29 patients with EVALI submitted to CDC from 10 states found vitamin E acetate in all of the samples. Vitamin E acetate is used as an additive, most notably as a thickening agent in THC-containing e-cigarette, or vaping, products." See CDC's Key Facts about Vitamin E Acetate

How to Report Vaping Lung Disease

In September, the DC Department of Health issued a statement advising residents to stop using e-cigarettes. Healthcare providers are encouraged to promptly report any suspected cases of illness related to e-cigarette use you have seen since July to the District of Columbia Department of Health using the Notifiable Disease and Condition Case Report Form.

For information on reporting cases in Maryland, see this fact sheet from Montgomery County Medial Society.

Resources

AMA CME: e-Cigarette Use Among Youth in the United States (December 2019)

"Update: Interim Guidance for Health Care Providers regarding the Management Approach of Patients with Suspected EVALI" (Archived recording of a CDC Clinician Outreach Call Nov. 21, 2019)

"Interim Guidance for Health Care Providers Evaluating and Caring for Patients with Suspected E-cigarette or Vaping Product Use Associated Lung Injury" (Oct. 11, 2019)

Sample of Health Equity Legislation MSDC Tracked

Student Access to Treatment Amendment Act (B23-467)

What does it say? The bill allows for the administration of medicinal marijuana in schools as well as allows students to bring sunscreen to schools and apply it without a prescription.

MSDC position: MSDC supports the language permitting sunscreen application in schools

Current status: A win for DC physicians and public health! The legislation passed the Council in February and was signed by the Mayor. Previous temporary and emergency legislation permitted students to use sunscreen at schools this school year already.

Electronic Medical Order for Scope of Treatment Registry Amendment Act (B23-261)

What does it say? The bill requires DC Health to establish an electronic Medical Order for Scope of Treatment registry (eMOST).

MSDC position: MSDC supports this legislation to more easily allow patients to make their treatment orders known.

Current status: A win for the physician community and our patients! The Council passed the bill in December and the Mayor signed it into law on January 16, 2020.

Healthy Beverage Choices Amendment Act (B23-495)

What does it say? The bill would implement a 1.5 cent per ounce tax on the distribution of "sugary" beverages. The money collected from the tax would establish a Healthy People, Healthy Places Open Spaces Grant Program.

MSDC position: MSDC sent a letter to Council Chair Mendelson asking for a hearing to discuss all of the issues around a beverage tax.

Current status: The bill was introduced October 8, 2019 and referred to the Committee on Business and Economic Development and the Committee of the Whole.