09.16.2019

DPH Mandates Reporting on Vaping Illnesses

Nearly 500 cases of severe lung disease associated with vaping – that is, the use of electronic smoking products – have been reported to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And there have been at least six deaths across the U.S. related to such products. The American Medical Association has recommended that people stop using e-cigarette products. In response, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health last Wednesday mandated that all healthcare providers report all diagnosed or suspected cases of unexplained vaping-associated pulmonary disease to DPH. Providers are asked to use this specific document to make the reports.
 
Specifically, DPH wants reports on “Persons experiencing otherwise unexplained progressive symptoms of shortness of breath, fatigue, chest pain, cough, and weight loss, of any severity, and an abnormal chest imaging study, associated with vaping in the past 90 days.”
 
In the cases reported across the U.S., some patients reported the use of vaping products containing THC (found in marijuana), but others used only products with nicotine.