COVID-19 (coronavirus) Preparedness

Update as of March 12, 2020: Thank you for your concern and patience regarding the Scientific Assembly scheduled for April 19-23 in Phoenix, AZ. The AAEM Board of Directors are right now looking at the options and will provide an update as soon as we are able.

 

The American Academy of Emergency Medicine’s 26^th Annual Scientific Assembly (AAEM20) will take place as planned April 19-23, 2020 in Phoenix, AZ. AAEM is taking all necessary precautions to ensure the health and safety of attendees in light of concerns about COVID-19, commonly known as the coronavirus.

We are closely monitoring developments and staying abreast of updates from health organizations responsible for tracking and responding to the virus, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO), and European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). We want to assure anyone planning to attend AAEM20 that their health, safety, and security is our top priority.

How we are preparing

While the CDC notes that immediate risk from COVID-19 is low, AAEM is prepared to rapidly respond to any issues that arise during the meeting and provide assistance to all attendees. We are taking the following to actions to prepare:

• Adhering to all guidance and recommended safety measures issued by the WHO, CDC, the Arizona Department of Health Services, and local health organizations, including:
  • CDC’s healthcare protocols for management of COVID-19 by state and local health departments updated as of January 2020.
  • WHO’s recently released Key Planning Recommendations for Mass Gatherings in the Context of the current COVID-19 Outbreak.
• Working with the Sheraton Phoenix Downtown, the Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport, and other area hotels to coordinate appropriate safety procedures.
• Following CDC recommendations and protocols for heightened cleanliness at event facilities, including increasing the number of hand sanitizing stations located throughout the facility.
• Actively encouraging attendees to take common-sense precautions and follow CDC guidelines to prevent the spread of illness.
• Ensuring that medical care is readily available to address immediate healthcare concerns of attendees.

AAEM is taking COVID-19 very seriously and is fully engaged and prepared to host a successful AAEM20 in Phoenix, AZ. The city of Phoenix and the Sheraton Phoenix Downtown host successful conferences and other large-scale events daily and are maintaining cleanliness and safety standards throughout public spaces, hotels, and meeting facilities.

We encourage attendees to monitor the CDC website for additional information and follow the WHO's Travel Advice as they consider their travel arrangements to AAEM20, as well as its recommendations for protecting themselves from an infection. In addition, we are closely monitoring all travel alerts issued by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

We will continue to update you via www.aaem.org/AAEM20 and email. We’re very grateful for the ongoing support of exhibitors and attendees who continue to register and plan for the conference. If you have any questions or need further information, please contact AAEM at (414) 276-7390 or via our website.

Additional resources

• World Health Organization
  • Twitter: @WHO
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  • Twitter: @CDCgov
• European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control
  • Twitter: @ECDC_EU
• AMA Resource Center for Physicians

 

Travel Infographic

 

 

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