VACCINE NEWS
CDC COCA Call on Coadministration of Flu and COVID Vax Recommendations
CDC will hold a Clinician Outreach and Communication Activity (COCA) Call on Thursday, September 9th, from 1:00 – 2:00 PM CT on the 2021-2022 Influenza Vaccination Recommendations and Guidance on Coadministration with COVID-19 Vaccines. Presenters include Captain Lisa Grohskopf, MD and Andrew Kroger, MD, both of CDC will present the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendations on flu for the coming season and on coadministration of flu and COVID vaccines. More details and link to register are here.
Q & A from Member Medical Director on Vaccine Hesitancy
There are many who continue to be hesitant about the COVID Vaccine amid various fields and industries requiring it – including some hospitals. Here is an excellent Q & A written by a medical director of on of our member homes, thoughtfully answering common questions/concerns about the vaccine. Special thanks for this excellent resource.
That’ll Never Work Here: Vaccine Mandates in Places with Low Rates of Vaccination
Making the decision to mandate the COVID vaccine for staff is already a multifaceted challenge, but how about when your state or region is resistant to mandates or vaccines altogether? On Thursday, September 9th from 2:00 – 3:00 PM CT, hear from members who operate in states or regions that are not friendly to the vaccine mandate, and how they have navigated the issue successfully. Our panel will feature Jon Riewer, President and CEO of Eventide Senior Living Communities, Terry Barcroft, President and CEO of Wesley Woods Senior Living, and Pam Sullivan, VP of Strategy and Communication, Christian Living Communities. Jon will discuss the decision to mandate in Eventide’s Minnesota and North Dakota locations, Terry for Wesley Woods’ residence in Georgia, and Pam will do the same for CLC’s owned and/or managed communities in Colorado, Indiana, Ohio, Oklahoma, Texas, and Utah. A lively discussion with the panelists will be followed by Q&A and updates on any news from CMS. To register, click here.
FEDERAL NEWS
Help with BinaxNOW Questions
There are some members who have questions or concerns related to BinaxNOW shipments from HHS. We understand it to still be the case that nursing homes in yellow and red positivity areas are receiving BinaxNOW test kits from HHS. CDC staff shared the text of an email that should have gone to all provider recipients of the tests on August 23. Recipients are asked to save and carry over unused tests; in the past the HHS BinaxNOW Team allocated tests in boxes of 40 and routinely sent extras. The email provides instructions on how to reinstate shipments if the provider asked that HHS stop sending them. It also offers two contact points. For questions related to shipment deliveries: ARDxUSGovernmentSupport@abbott.com. For questions related to the HHS BinaxNOW Distribution Program, the Binax Team Inbox: Binax.Team@HHS.GOV. Feel free to contact Jodi (JEyigor@leadingage.org), Janine (JFinck-Boyle@leadingage.org), or me (RKatz@leadingage.org) with questions or concerns we can help with.
STATE NEWS
Fire Marshal Update on Controlled Access Doors
The Kansas State Fire Marshal has released an update on the issue of citations for controlled access doors. We strongly encourage you to read the letter and start your assessment. In a nutshell, if you have controlled access doors in your facility (mag locks, key pads) you must have an assessment on file showing a clinical/security/special need of residents to justify the locks. We are currently seeking clarification on some questions around this issue as well as whether/how it is being applied outside of Kansas.
Kansas COVID-19 Cluster Summary
As of September 1st, there are 5 long-term care facilities with clusters and 1 is a LeadingAge Kansas Member.
Statewide Active COVID-19 Clusters
- Clusters: 172
- Cases: 1,311
- Hospitalizations: 61
Kansas COVID-19: Case Rates
- Cases: 373,171
- Total Case Rate Per 1,000: 128.09
- Daily Cases Diagnosed: 1,119
Long-Term Care Facilities with Active Cluster Case Information
- Clusters: 64
- Cases: 447
- Hospitalizations: 28
Source: https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas
Joint Webinar on September 17th: Dr. Kalendar-Rich on The Use of Monoclonal Antibody in Long-Term Care
Dr. Kalendar-Rich will review monoclonal antibody usage in the long-term care setting including data around the benefits, protocol information, and tips and tricks. Register here.
LEADINGAGE KANSAS NEWS
Here is the Recording from Today’s Webinar
Listen to the recording. Download the handouts. This week we welcomed Ann Yeakly, KDADS CARE Program Manager to provide a reminder 101 on the CARE and PASRR process. The handouts include the slides and would be helpful to keep handy as you train new employees on the importance of CARE.
Next week, Friday September 10th Karen Sturchio and Crystal Packard will talk about vaccination rates in their organizations. Register here.
RESOURCES
Webinar on Staff Burnout: “The PTSD of COVID: The Heart of the Matter.”
The Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine (AMDA) is hosting a webinar tomorrow, Thursday, September 2nd at 5:30 PM CT – “The PTSD of COVID: The Heart of the Matter.” The focus will be on moral injury and burnout, which contribute to attrition and staff loses. Sign up for the free session here. Additional resources that are part of the AMDA Healing Together program are also provided on that link.
