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Questions for the Alliant Boost Team? Email Booster@allianthealth.org
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April 5, 2022
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In this Issue |
Check in: How are we doing? Are you finding the events and materials helpful?
Best Practice of the Week/ Center Highlight of the Week
- Weekly Vaccine Clinics in Florida
Latest Guidance/Updates
- CDC Recommends Additional Boosters for Certain Individuals
- CMS NEWS: New Way for Medicare Beneficiaries to Get Free Over-the-Counter COVID-19 Tests
- Statement from HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra on FDA and CDC Expanding Booster Eligibility for the Most Vulnerable
- COVID-19 vaccines continue to protect against hospitalization and death among adults
- CMS Makes Nursing Home COVID-19 Booster Vaccination Data Available Online, Increasing Transparency for Consumers
- CDC: Get Vaccinated Even If You Had COVID
- OSHA Announces COVID-19 Focused Inspection Initiative
New Materials & Resources
- Find Free Masks (N95 Respirators)
- LeadingAge Vaccine Resources
- Know Your COVID-19 Community Level
- New Quarantine and Isolation Calculator
- The Adult Vaccine Assessment Tool
- Flyer: Visitor Talking Points
- Poster: Attention Vistors
- Poster: Why I Got Vaccinated
- Click HERE or visit https://bit.ly/GiveTheBoostAShot to download helpful resources and materials.
Register for Upcoming Give the Boost a Shot Events *ANCC Contact Hours Awarded*
- Wednesday, April 6, 2022 from 2-2:30 p.m. ET/ 1-1:30 p.m. CT: Join Nimalie Stone, MD, MS, Medical Epidemiologist for Long-term Care in the Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for a special session to look at all we’ve accomplished as a spring board to positively transforming the experiences of residents and staff in nursing homes. REGISTER
- We want to hear from you on topics!
Give the Boost a Shot Event Recordings
About Give the Boost a Shot
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Best Practice/Center of the Week |
Ariel Alonso from Bayshore Point Nursing and Rehab Center in Tampa Florida hosts weekly vaccine clinics on the same day each week. Both Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are offered.
Share your best practices! Email Leighann: Leighann.Sauls@allianthealth.org
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Latest Guidance/Updates |
- CDC Recommends Additional Boosters for Certain Individuals
CDC is updating its recommendations to allow certain immunocompromised individuals and people over the age of 50 who received an initial booster dose at least 4 months ago to be eligible for another mRNA booster to increase their protection against severe disease from COVID-19. Separately and in addition, based on newly published data, adults who received a primary vaccine and booster dose of Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen COVID-19 vaccine at least 4 months ago may now receive a second booster dose using an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine. Read More
- CMS NEWS: New Way for Medicare Beneficiaries to Get Free Over-the-Counter COVID-19 Tests
The Biden-Harris Administration announced on April 4, 2022 that more than 59 million Americans with Medicare Part B, including those enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, now have access to Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved, authorized, or cleared over-the-counter COVID-19 tests at no cost. People with Medicare can get up to eight tests per calendar month from participating pharmacies and health care providers for the duration of the COVID-19 public health emergency. Read More
- Statement from HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra on FDA and CDC Expanding Booster Eligibility for the Most Vulnerable
Today, following action by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to expand eligibility for an additional booster shot to the most vulnerable, highest-risk Americans, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra issued the following statement: "With COVID-19, vaccines remain the best tool we have to prevent severe disease and save lives. More than 200 million Americans have gotten vaccinated, and nearly 100 million have received a booster shot. The American people are stepping up to protect themselves and others from this virus. Read More
- COVID-19 vaccines continue to protect against hospitalization and death among adults
COVID-19 vaccination continues to help protect adults against severe illness with COVID-19, including hospitalizations and death, according to two reports released in the March 18, 2022 MMWR. During Omicron, COVID-19-associated hospitalization rates increased for all adults, regardless of vaccination status, but rates were 12 times higher among adults who were unvaccinated compared to adults who received a booster or additional doses. Hospitalization rates were also highest among non-Hispanic Black adults and nearly 4 times as high among Black adults than White adults during the peak of Omicron. Additionally, mRNA vaccines continued to be highly effective at protecting against COVID-19-associated ventilation or death, including during the Omicron period. Protection was highest in adults who received a third vaccine dose, reducing the risk for COVID-19-associated ventilation or death during the Omicron period by 94%. Read More
- CDC: Get Vaccinated Even If You Had COVID-19
You should get a COVID-19 vaccine even if you already had COVID-19. No currently available test can reliably determine if you are protected after being infected with the virus that causes COVID-19. Getting a COVID-19 vaccine after you recover from infection with the virus that causes COVID-19 provides added protection to your immune system. People who already had COVID-19 and do not get vaccinated after their recovery are more likely to get COVID-19 again than those who get vaccinated after their recovery. Read More
- OSHA Announces COVID-19 Focused Inspection Initiative
The intent of this initiative is to magnify OSHA’s presence in high-hazard healthcare facilities over a three-month period (March 9, 2022 to June 9, 2022), to encourage employers in these industry sectors to take the necessary steps to protect their workers against the hazards of COVID-19. These focused, partial-scope inspections shall be conducted following the procedures below, at establishments within the four North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes listed in Attachment 1: two NAICS codes representing Hospital sectors and two NAICS codes representing Nursing and Residential Care sectors. Inspections opened under this initiative shall comprise 15% of all inspections per Region for the designated three-month period. However, this goal may be adjusted or terminated based on COVID-19 case rates, establishment density, or similar criteria present in a particular Region, or based on new information or developments regarding COVID-19. Read More
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New Materials & Resources |
- Find Free Masks (N95 Respirators)
This CDC tool shows a list of pharmacies that provide free masks (N95 respirators). Visit Website
- LeadingAge Vaccine Tools & Resources
LeadingAge experts continue to provide helpful information, answers to LeadingAge member questions, and the latest insights about vaccines and mandates. Check out our Vaccine Tools & Resources page for the latest including our new “Care Fully” creative campaign designed to reach Black and Hispanic direct care workers, which leverages the strategic groundwork laid by the Ad Council/COVID Collaborative’s “It’s Up to You” campaign:
- Know Your COVID-19 Community Level
CDC's COVID-19 Community Levels are a new tool to help communities decide what prevention steps to take based on the latest data. Levels can be low, medium, or high and are determined by looking at hospital beds being used, hospital admissions, and the total number of new COVID-19 cases in an area. COVID-19 County Check
- New CDC Quarantine and Isolation Calculator
CDC’s new COVID-19 Quarantine and Isolation calculator takes the stress out of deciding when, and for how long, people with COVID-19 and close contacts need to stay home, get tested, and wear a well-fitting mask.
- The Adult Vaccine Assessment Tool
- CDC’s Adult Vaccine Quiz helps you create a list of vaccines you may need based on your age, health conditions, and more. Click here to take the quiz now!
- Flyer: Visitor Talking Points
This one-page flyer outlines how to talk to visitors about ensuring the safety of nursing home residents and staff while visiting. Download
- Poster: Attention Visitors
This poster outlines practices to help visitors keep nursing homes residents and staff safe. Download
- Poster: COVID-19 Vaccine Booster: Why Should I Get Boosted? Download | In Spanish
- Click HERE or visit https://bit.ly/GiveTheBoostAShot to download helpful resources and materials.
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Upcoming Give the Boost a Shot Events *ANCC Contact Hours Awarded* |
| Date/ Time |
Event |
Faculty |
Registration Link |
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Wednesday, 4/6/22
2-2:30 p.m. ET/
1-1:30 p.m. CT
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BOOST Education Event:
Join Nimalie Stone, MD, MS, Medical Epidemiologist for Long-term Care in the Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for a special session to look at all we’ve accomplished as a spring board to positively transforming the experiences of residents and staff in nursing homes.
*ANCC Contact Hours Awarded*
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Register |
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Thursday, 4/14/22
2-2:30 p.m. ET/
1-1:30 p.m. CT
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BOOST Education & Office Hours Event:
Join us for a 15-minute educational presentation by Swati Gaur MD, MBA, CMD, AGSF, Medical Director, Post Acute Care, Northeast Georgia Health System followed by a panel discussion featuring:
- Jeremy Bischoff, LHNA, BA, Quality Improvement Initiative Advisor, Alliant Health Solutions
- Lisa Davies, CPHQ, LNHA, RD, LD, Quality Improvement Initiative Manager, Alliant Health Solutions
- Leighann Sauls, RN, CDN, Program Director (Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, and Tennessee), Alliant Health Solutions
*ANCC Contact Hours Awarded*
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Register |
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Thursday, 4/21/22
2-2:30 p.m. ET/
1-1:30 p.m. CT
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BOOST Education & Office Hours Event:
Join Marilee Johnson MBA, MT (ASCP), Alliant Technical Advisor, Infection Prevention & Amy Ward, MS, BSN, RN, CIC, Alliant Infection Prevention Specialist for NSHN Shop Talk.
*ANCC Contact Hours Awarded*
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Register |
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Thursday, 4/28/22
2-2:30 p.m. ET/
1-1:30 p.m. CT
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BOOST Education & Office Hours Event:
Join us for a 15-minute educational presentation by Swati Gaur MD, MBA, CMD, AGSF, Medical Director, Post Acute Care, Northeast Georgia Health System followed by a panel discussion featuring:
- Jeremy Bischoff, LHNA, BA, Quality Improvement Initiative Advisor, Alliant Health Solutions
- Lisa Davies, CPHQ, LNHA, RD, LD, Quality Improvement Initiative Manager, Alliant Health Solutions
- Leighann Sauls, RN, CDN, Program Director (Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, and Tennessee), Alliant Health Solutions
*ANCC Contact Hours Awarded*
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Register |
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Give the Boost a Shot Event Recordings |
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Recorded
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Event
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Recording Link
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Give the Boost a Shot Kick Off Event: Learn the why behind this 12-week program.
With Leighann Sauls, RN, CDN, Program Director (Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, and Tennessee), Alliant Health Solutions, JoVonn Givens, MPH, Program Director (Alabama, Florida, and Louisiana), Alliant Health Solutions, Jeremy Bischoff, LHNA, BA, Quality Advisor, Alliant Health Solutions, and Lisa Davies, CPHQ, LNHA, RD, LD, Quality Improvement Initiative Manager, Alliant Health Solutions
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Recording |
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Thursday, 1/20/22
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BOOST Office Hours: BOOST Office Hours & Shop Talk: Clinician Office Hours: NSHN Shop Talk (audience NSHN users)
With Marilee Johnson MBA, MT (ASCP), Alliant Technical Advisor, Infection Prevention
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Recording |
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BOOST Education Event: COVID-19 Vaccine Booster and Health Equity
With Rosa Abraha, MPH, Health Equity Lead, Alliant Health Solutions
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Recording |
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Thursday, 1/27/22
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BOOST Office Hours: Clinician Office Hours: Focus on Primary and Booster Uptake - (audience MD, PA, Advance Practice staff)
With Swati Gaur MD, MBA, CMD, AGSF, Medical Director, Post Acute Care, Northeast Georgia Health System
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Recording |
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BOOST Education Event:
Join Stacy Hull, LPC, MAC, CPCS, Aim Lead, Behavioral Health, Alliant Health Solutions for part 1 of a presentation on Using Motivational Interviewing to Increase COVID-19 Vaccinations
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Recording |
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Thursday, 2/3/22
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BOOST Office Hours:
Join Jeremy Bischoff, LHNA, BA, Quality Advisor, Alliant Health Solutions for Clinician Office Hours: Focus on Primary and Booster Uptake. This Office Hours session is geared toward NH Admins, DONs, and Direct Care Staff. The format will be a brief presentation followed by Q&A session (30-minute timeframe)
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Recording |
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BOOST Education Event:
Join Stacy Hull, LPC, MAC, CPCS, Aim Lead, Behavioral Health, Alliant Health Solutions for Using Motivational Interviewing to Increase COVID-19 Vaccinations Part 2: Practical Application. Participants will hear scenarios using the skills of Motivational Interviewing.
Objectives:
- Define Motivational Interviewing
- Understand the OARS in Motivational Interviewing
- Understand interviewing skills and strategies
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Recording |
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Thursday, 2/10/22
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BOOST Office Hours: Clinician Office Hours: Focus on Infection Prevention (Audience – Facility IPs)
Led by Amy Ward, MS, BSN, RN, CIC – Alliant Infection Prevention Specialist
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Recording |
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Wednesday, 2/16/22
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BOOST Education Event:
Join Darcy J. Watson, BSN, LNHA, Quality Consultant, Alliant Health Solutions for a session on Vaccine Clinics.
Objectives:
- To demonstrate the recent statistical evidence of booster efficacy
- To ascertain the current challenges with booster uptake (will have polling questions)
- To understand and mitigate the challenges with LTC providers obtaining the booster To assist facilities in conducting efficient and ongoing onsite clinics
*ANCC Contact Hours Awarded*
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Recording |
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Thursday, 2/17/22
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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*
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Recording |
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Wednesday, 2/23/22
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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*
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Recording |
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Thursday, 2/24/22
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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*
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Recording |
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BOOST Education Event:
Vaccines: A Glimmer of Hope? Morality or Mandate?
Since the pandemic began, the search for an effective vaccine was thought to be the best way for us to get back to normalcy. In this presentation, Deke Cateau, CEO of A.G. Rhodes, a group of three Atlanta non-profit nursing homes and author of BRUSH FIRE: Covid-19 and our Nursing Homes, reflects on his organization’s techniques and strategies in promoting the COVID-19 vaccine among its staff and residents. Hear lessons learned and practical realities encountered as the organization went from widespread vaccine hesitancy to over 90% staff and resident vaccination. Learning Objectives: At this session, participants will: Learn different strategies for effectively promoting the COVID-19 vaccine Be able to encourage hesitant staff, families, and other stakeholders through a variety of messages and communications Take away practical data to compare COVID-19 activity before and after the organization achieved such a high vaccination rate.
Objectives:
- To demonstrate the recent statistical evidence of booster efficacy
- To ascertain the current challenges with booster uptake (will have polling questions)
- To understand and mitigate the challenges with LTC providers obtaining the booster To assist facilities in conducting efficient and ongoing onsite clinics
*ANCC Contact Hours Awarded*
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Recording |
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Thursday, 3/3/22
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BOOST Office Hours:
Clinician Office Hours: Focus on Primary and Booster Uptake
Audience: NH Admins, DONs, Direct Care Staff - all are welcome!
Turn your cameras on and join in the conversation!
Led by Jeremy Bischoff, LHNA, BA – Alliant Quality Improvement Initiative Advisor
*ANCC Contact Hours Awarded*
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Recording |
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Wednesday, 3/9/22
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BOOST Education Event:
Join Darcy J. Watson, BSN, LNHA, Quality Consultant, Alliant Health Solutions for Give the BOOST a Shot - Don't Take "NO" for an Answer. Objectives:
- Review COVID-19 & variant(s) Booster Significance and Eligibility
- Discuss COVID-19 & variant(s) Booster Consent Challenges
- Spotlight COVID-19 & variant(s) Booster Clinic Best Practice Champions
- Provide COVID-19 & variant(s) Booster Clinic Resources
*ANCC Contact Hours Awarded*
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Recording |
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Thursday, 3/10/22
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BOOST Office Hours:
Clinician Office Hours: Focus on Infection Prevention
Audience: Facility IPs - all are welcome!
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*
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Recording |
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Wednesday, 3/16/22
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BOOST Education Event:
Join Carolyn Brill, Senior Improvement Advisor at Comagine Health for a session on COVID-19 Vaccine High level considerations. Carolyn will share her personal story about getting COVID after her booster and will discuss the related science. Topics covered include:
- Review a few points from March 1 webinar and booster schedule
- Share a personal story
- New England Journal of Medicine study (March 2, 2022) Covid-19 Vaccine Effectiveness against the Omicron (B.1.1.529) Variant
- What can we do to prioritize resident boosters
*ANCC Contact Hours Awarded*
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Recording |
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Thursday, 3/17/22
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BOOST Office Hours & Shop Talk:
Clinician Office Hours: NSHN Shop Talk
Audience: NSHN users
Led by Amy Ward, MS, BSN, RN, CIC – Alliant Infection Prevention Specialist
*ANCC Contact Hours Awarded*
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Recording |
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Wednesday, 3/23/22
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BOOST Education Event:
Join Carol O'Connell, Assistant Vice President of Long Term Care and Support Services at Wellstar Paulding Hospital & Nursing and Rehabilitation Center to learn how they managed the roll-out of the vaccines and what they are doing to encourage the booster.
*ANCC Contact Hours Awarded*
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Recording |
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Thursday, 3/24/22
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BOOST Office Hours:
Clinician Office Hours: Focus on Primary and Booster Uptake
Audience: Facility leadership, MD, PA, Advance Practice staff - all are welcome!
Turn your cameras on and join in the conversation!
Led by Swati Gaur, MD, MBA, CMD, AGSF
*ANCC Contact Hours Awarded*
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Recording |
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Wednesday, 3/30/22
2-2:30 p.m. ET/
1-1:30 p.m. CT
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BOOST Education Event:
Join Sherri Creel, Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Quality Advisor supporting Alliant's work within the National COVID-19 Resiliency Network (NCRN) and Shanika Jones, LMHC, MA and Quality Advisor for the National COVID-19 Resiliency Network (NCRN) for a session on Effective Ways to Manage the Traumatic Experience of COVID-19.
Objectives:
- Have a better understanding of trauma and trauma responses.
- Learn ways a person's culture may impact their response to trauma.
- Learn ways leadership can support staff who are experiencing trauma.
- Learn practical ways to manage personal trauma and distress.
*ANCC Contact Hours Awarded* |
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Recording |
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Thursday, 3/31/22
2-2:30 p.m. ET/
1-1:30 p.m. CT
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BOOST Office Hours:
Clinician Office Hours: Panel Discussion with the Alliant Boost Team
Audience: All are welcome!
Turn your cameras on and join in the conversation!
*ANCC Contact Hours Awarded*
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Recording |
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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.
- Weekly educational events and dedicated time to ask questions.
- A dedicated website page with resources and materials.
- Access to experts in epidemiology, quality improvement, and infection control.
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For more information about Alliant Health Solutions, visit the website: quality.allianthealth.org.
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