Gov. Ralph Northam on Friday signed Executive Order 57 which increases the use of nurse practitioners, out-of-state physicians, medical students and telehealth.
The governor’s office said the move would implement several new policies “to bolster Virginia’s health care workforce to assist with the Commonwealth’s COVID-19 response.”
The order came days after Northam called for additional medical and non-medical volunteers as part of a statewide effort to combat novel coronavirus. It is estimated that up to 30,000 additional workers are needed in Virginia’s hospitals, long-term care facilities, and public health departments, should a surge occur, according to the governor’s office.
“While we are seeing promising signs in our ongoing fight against COVID-19, we must continue to prepare for all scenarios, and that includes making sure we have to the necessary staff to confront a potential medical surge,” Northam said. “This pandemic is placing extraordinary demands on our doctors, nurses, and nurse practitioners, and these policies will enable us to expand our health care workforce so more trained medical professionals can step in and help.”
The order adds physician offices and other health care facilities to the section in Executive Order 52, allowing hospitals, nursing facilities, and dialysis facilities to have out-of-state licensees provide in-state care. It also allows Virginia-licensed nurse practitioners with two or more years of clinical experience to practice without a collaborative agreement.
It provides additional flexibility to hospitals in the supervision of interns, residents, and fellows, and allows hospitals to use fourth year medical students in the provision of care.
Executive Order 57 also allows for expanded use of telehealth.
Physicians with licenses from another state who have current Virginia patients may continue to treat their patients via telehealth, which will help ensure Virginians who live in border communities do not have to travel out-of-state for care.
The order is in effect through June 10, 2020, unless amended or rescinded by a further executive order.
As of Friday, James City County has 138 positive cases of the coronavirus, Newport News has 100, Hampton has 78, York County has 38, Williamsburg has 19 and Poquoson has 6, according to the Virginia Department of Health’s website.
Statewide, Friday’s report from the VDH showed 7,491 positive cases of the coronavirus. The death toll was 231.
At least 11 people from the Peninsula Health District and one person from the Hampton Heath District have died from the coronavirus.
The Peninsula Health District covers Newport News, Poquoson, Williamsburg, James City County and York County. The Hampton Health District covers Hampton.
