In this Issue

Best Practice of the Week/ Center Highlight of the Week

• Celebrating Memphis Jewish Home's “My Why I Got Vaccinated” Campaign

• Summary of recent CDC changes (updated February 11, 2022)
• Timing of Booster After Acute Infection
• No 90-Day Deferment After Monoclonal Antibody Treatment
• CDC: Boosted nursing home residents 10 times less likely to be infected with COVID-19
• CMS Makes Nursing Home COVID-19 Booster Vaccination Data Available Online, Increasing Transparency for Consumers
• Updated CDC healthcare infection prevention and control (IPC) guidance documents
• CMS Issues Letter on Healthcare Worker Vaccine Rule

• **NEW** Reach the Alliant Boost Team through this new email address: Booster@allianthealth.org - please reach out with questions, comments, etc.
• Flyer: Why I Got Vaccinated
• Poster: COVID-19 Vaccine Booster: Why Should I Get Boosted?  
• Book Review: "Brush Fire: Covid-19 and Our Nursing Homes" by Deke Cateau, CEO of A.G. Rhodes
• Case vignettes using Motivational Interviewing to help individuals with concerns about the COVID-19 vaccines
• Click HERE or visit https://bit.ly/GiveTheBoostAShot to download helpful resources and materials.

• Education on Wednesdays *ANCC Contact Hours Awarded*
  • Wednesday, February 23, 2022 from 2-2:30 p.m. ET/ 1-1:30 p.m. CT: Join Diane Sanders-Cepeda, DO, CMD, Senior Medical Director, UnitedHealthcare Retiree Solutions to learn more about Long COVID and Boosters. REGISTER
• Clinician Office Hours on Thursdays *ANCC Contact Hours Awarded*
  • Thursday, February 24, 2022 from 2-2:30 p.m. ET/ 1-1:30 p.m. CT: Join Swati Gaur, MD, MBA, CMD, AGSF, Medical Director, Post Acute Care, Northeast Georgia Health System for BOOST Clinician Office Hours: Focus on Primary and Booster Uptake. Audience: MD, PA, Advance Practice staff. Turn your cameras on and join in the conversation! REGISTER 

Best Practice/Center of the Week

Celebrating Memphis Jewish Home's “My Why I Got Vaccinated” Campaign
Using a proactive approach to vaccinating staff and residents, Memphis Jewish Home utilized a process focused on gathering photos and testimonies of staff that were ready to get vaccinated early in the pandemic. Memphis Jewish Home then placed these My Why posters throughout their facility. Staff were observed having conversations with each other discussing questions they had about the vaccination process with their peers that had completed their vaccines. Utilizing peer experiences and this visual approach to identify why staff decided to receive the vaccine led to high vaccination rates early on and throughout the vaccine and booster process. Memphis Jewish home currently has a resident vaccinated rate of 97.5% and staff vaccine rate of 99.5%. Residents are 74.1% boosted.

Share your best practices! Email Leighann: Leighann.Sauls@allianthealth.org

Latest Guidance/Updates

• Summary of recent CDC changes (last updated February 11, 2022):
  • Updated guidance for moderately or severely immunocompromised people:
    • Clarification of existing recommendation to receive a 3-dose mRNA vaccine primary series followed by a booster dose for a total of 4 doses
    • New guidance to shorten the interval between completion of the mRNA vaccine primary series and the booster dose to at least 3 months (instead of 5 months)
    • New guidance for those who received the Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine primary series to receive an additional dose and a booster dose, for a total of 3 doses to be up to date
  • Updated guidance that it is no longer necessary to delay COVID-19 vaccination following receipt of monoclonal antibodies or convalescent plasma
  • Updated guidance on receiving a booster dose if vaccinated outside the United States
  • Updated contraindication and precaution section to include history of myocarditis or pericarditis after an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine as a precaution
  • Reorganized and condensed multiple sections. Read More.
• Timing of Booster After Acute Infection
  People with known current SARS-CoV-2 infection should defer any COVID-19 vaccination, including booster vaccination, at least until recovery from the acute illness (if symptoms were present) and criteria to discontinue isolation have been met. Read More.
• No 90-Day Deferment After Monoclonal Antibody Treatment
  People who previously received antibody products (anti-SARS-CoV-2 monoclonal antibodies or convalescent plasma) as part of COVID-19 treatment, post-exposure prophylaxis, or pre-exposure prophylaxis can be vaccinated at any time; COVID-19 vaccination does not need to be delayed following receipt of monoclonal antibodies or convalescent plasma. Although some reduction in vaccine-induced antibody titersexternal icon was observed in people who previously received antibody products, the clinical significance of this reduction is unknown, and the balance of benefits vs. risks favors proceeding with vaccination even considering the possibility of diminished vaccine effectiveness in this situation. However, in people who previously received a COVID-19 vaccine, administration of tixagevimab/cilgavimab (EVUSHELD™) for pre-exposure prophylaxis should be deferred for at least two weeks after vaccination, per the product fact sheet.
• CDC: Boosted nursing home residents 10 times less likely to be infected with COVID-19
  The news, delivered by CDC Director Rochelle Walensky, is a bit of cheer amidst other new evidence that COVID-19 cases are increasing among fully vaccinated long-term care residents. www.mcknights.com
• CMS Makes Nursing Home COVID-19 Booster Vaccination Data Available Online, Increasing Transparency for Consumers
  As part of its commitment to improve transparency and help families and caregivers find the best nursing home care for their loved ones, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is now posting data on COVID-19 vaccine booster shots administered to nursing home residents and staff on the Medicare.gov Care Compare website. The data will show resident and staff booster rates at the facility level and will include national and state averages. The current data indicate that the rate of booster shots administered to nursing home residents is comparable to the national average for adults over the age of 65. It also shows the rate of booster shots administered to nursing home staff lags behind the national average of those over the age of 18 (for staff). Read more.
• Updated CDC healthcare infection prevention and control (IPC) guidance documents
  • Infection Control: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) | CDC and Interim Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations to Prevent SARS-CoV-2 Spread in Nursing Homes | CDC. 
  • Updates were made in these guidance documents to align with prior updates made for healthcare personnel with higher-risk exposures in the Interim Guidance for Managing Healthcare Personnel with SARS-COV-2 Infection or Exposure to SARS-CoV-2, which was released on December 23, 2021.  
  • A review of the updates was given on a recent Clinician Outreach and Communication Activity (COCA) Call, which was recorded and is accessible here: Webinar January 13, 2022 - Updates to CDC’s COVID-19 Quarantine and Isolation Guidelines in Healthcare and Non-healthcare Settings. 
• CMS Issues Letter on Healthcare Worker Vaccine Rule
  On February 1, 2022, CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure issued the following letter to healthcare facility administrators on the importance of staff COVID-19 vaccinations and the current CMS requirements. To view or download the letter, please click on the document below, or visit the CMS current emergencies web page.

New Materials & Resources

• Flyer: Why I Got Vaccinated - Administrators and staff at Memphis Jewish Home in Tennessee shared their personal stories regarding their motivation to become vaccinated. The facility includes a large campus of around 300 staff who are nearly 80% vaccinated. Download
• Poster: COVID-19 Vaccine Booster: Why Should I Get Boosted? Download 
• Book Review: "Brush Fire: Covid-19 and Our Nursing Homes" by Deke Cateau, CEO of A.G. Rhodes
  "Brush Fire" chronicles the challenges that nursing home residents and staff experienced in their difficult and lengthy battle against COVID-19. In his authorial debut, Deke gives a sobering behind-the-scenes look into what his organization, and undoubtedly thousands of other senior care organizations, faced during the global pandemic. Perhaps most importantly, Brush Fire gives hope and direction on how a historically misunderstood industry can emerge out of the ashes stronger than ever. Alliant has purchased and will distribute copies of Deke's book to Nursing Homes enrolled in Alliant's quality improvement initiatives. Meet Deke at the March 2, 2022 Boost Education event!
• Case Vignettes Using Motivational Interviewing - During an earlier Boost Education event, Stacy Hull, LPC, MAC, CPCS presented on Motivational Interviewing and invited colleagues to role play how to have conversations with individuals who have concerns about the vaccines. Listen to the recording.
• Click HERE or visit https://bit.ly/GiveTheBoostAShot to download helpful resources and materials.

Upcoming Give the Boost a Shot Events *ANCC Contact Hours Awarded* ​​​​​​

Join us and invite clinical colleagues every Wednesdays for an educational event. On Thursdays, we'll take a deeper dive into your challenges and questions during Clinician Office Hours. Each week we will focus on the concerns and questions from different clinician groups. 

• First Thursday of the Month: Clinician Office Hours: Focus on Primary and Booster Uptake (Audience: NH Admins, DONs, Direct Care Staff) - Led by Jeremy Bischoff LHNA, BA – Alliant Quality Improvement Initiative Advisor
• Second Thursday of the Month: Clinician Office Hours: Focus on Infection Prevention (Audience: Facility IPs) – Led by Amy Ward MS, BSN, RN, CIC – Alliant Infection Prevention Specialist
• Third Thursday of the Month: Clinician Office Hours: NSHN Shop Talk (audience NSHN users) - Led by Marilee Johnson MBA, MT (ASCP) – Alliant Technical Advisor, Infection Prevention
• Fourth Thursday of the Month: Clinician Office Hours: Focus on Primary and Booster Uptake (audience MD, PA, Advance Practice staff) – Led by Swati Gaur MD, MBA, CMD, AGSF. Turn your cameras on and join in the conversation!

Date/Time	Event		Registration Link
Wednesday, 2/23/22 2-2:30 ​​​​p.m. ET/  1-1:30 p.m. CT	BOOST Education Event: Join Diane Sanders-Cepeda, DO, CMD, Senior Medical Director, UnitedHealthcare Retiree Solutions to learn more about Long COVID and Boosters. *ANCC Contact Hours Awarded*		Register
Thursday, 2/24/22 2-2:30 ​​​​p.m. ET/  1-1:30 p.m. CT	BOOST Office Hours: Clinician Office Hours: Focus on Primary and Booster Uptake Audience: MD, PA, Advance Practice staff Turn your cameras on and join in the conversation!   Led by Swati Gaur, MD, MBA, CMD, AGSF *ANCC Contact Hours Awarded*		Register Download Flyer
Wednesday, 3/2/22 2-2:30 ​​​​p.m. ET/  1-1:30 p.m. CT	BOOST Education Event: ​​​​​​ Join us for this special session featuring Deke Cateau, the Chief Executive Officer at A.G. Rhodes, a nonprofit organization operating three nursing homes in metro Atlanta, to hear how he is leading discussions with staff, residents, and families to increase the booster rates.  *ANCC Contact Hours Awarded*		Register
Thursday, 3/3/22 2-2:30 ​​​​p.m. ET/  1-1:30 p.m. CT	BOOST Office Hours:  Clinician Office Hours: Focus on Primary and Booster Uptake Audience: NH Admins, DONs, Direct Care Staff Turn your cameras on and join in the conversation! Led by Jeremy Bischoff, LHNA, BA – Alliant Quality Improvement Initiative Advisor *ANCC Contact Hours Awarded*		Register
Wednesday, 3/9/22 2-2:30 ​​​​p.m. ET/  1-1:30 p.m. CT	BOOST Education Event  *ANCC Contact Hours Awarded*		Register
Thursday, 3/10/22 2-2:30 ​​​​p.m. ET/  1-1:30 p.m. CT	BOOST Office Hours: Clinician Office Hours: Focus on Infection Prevention Audience: Facility IPs Turn your cameras on and join in the conversation! Led by Amy Ward, MS, BSN, RN, CIC – Alliant Infection Prevention Specialist *ANCC Contact Hours Awarded*		Register
Wednesday, 3/16/22 2-2:30 ​​​​p.m. ET/  1-1:30 p.m. CT	BOOST Education Event  *ANCC Contact Hours Awarded*		Register
Thursday, 3/17/22 2-2:30 ​​​​p.m. ET/  1-1:30 p.m. CT	BOOST Office Hours & Shop Talk: Clinician Office Hours: NSHN Shop Talk Audience: NSHN users Led by Marilee Johnson, MBA, MT (ASCP) – Alliant Technical Advisor, Infection Prevention *ANCC Contact Hours Awarded*		Register
Wednesday, 3/23/22 2-2:30 ​​​​p.m. ET/  1-1:30 p.m. CT	BOOST Education Event  *​​​​​ANCC Contact Hours Awarded*		Register
Thursday, 3/24/22 2-2:30 ​​​​p.m. ET/  1-1:30 p.m. CT	BOOST Office Hours: Clinician Office Hours: Focus on Primary and Booster Uptake Audience: MD, PA, Advance Practice staff Turn your cameras on and join in the conversation!   Led by Swati Gaur, MD, MBA, CMD, AGSF *ANCC Contact Hours Awarded*		Register Download Flyer
Wednesday, 3/30/22 2-2:30 ​​​​p.m. ET/  1-1:30 p.m. CT	BOOST Education Event  *ANCC Contact Hours Awarded*		Register
Thursday, 3/31/22 2-2:30 ​​​​p.m. ET/  1-1:30 p.m. CT	BOOST Office Hours *ANCC Contact Hours Awarded*		Register

About the Give the Shot a Boost Program

Alliant Health Solutions received a direct change order from CMS to provide support to nursing homes to help accelerate resident vaccination rates. This intensive 12-week program includes the following services and activities:

• Tuesdays: You will receive a weekly email bulletin dedicated to this program with the latest updates and tools you can use to help increase vaccination and booster rates.
• Wednesdays: Participate in a weekly educational event for all nursing homes to provide the latest information and tools to help accelerate rates.
• Thursdays: Take advantage of weekly office hours sessions for clinicians to share best practices, updates in clinical guidance, and science. 
• A dedicated website page with resources and materials.
• Access to experts in epidemiology, quality improvement, and infection control. 
  • Assistance Hotline: 1-888-519-4128
  • Email: Booster@allianthealth.org 

For more information about Alliant Health Solutions, visit the website: quality.allianthealth.org.