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Questions for the Alliant Boost Team? Email Booster@allianthealth.org
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April 12, 2022
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In this Issue |
Register for Upcoming Give the Boost a Shot Events *ANCC Contact Hours Awarded*
- Thursday, April 14, 2022 from 2-2:30 p.m. ET/ 1-1:30 p.m. CT: BOOST Education & Office Hours Event: Join us for a 15-minute educational presentation titled, Changing Behaviors by Tommy Barnett of North Highland followed by a 30-minute interactive discussion led by Swati Gaur MD, MBA, CMD, AGSF, Medical Director, Post Acute Care, Northeast Georgia Health System. REGISTER
- We want to hear from you on topics!
Best Practice of the Week/ Center Highlight of the Week
- Celebrating Rockmart in Georgia - 100% Boosted!
Latest Guidance/Updates
- COVID-19 Over-the-Counter (OTC) tests for Medicare Recipients
- CDC Test to Treat
- Eligible Individuals Can Receive Second COVID-19 Booster Shot at No Cost
- Revised (on 4/5/22) Guidance for the Interim Final Rule - Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Omnibus COVID-19 Health Care Staff Vaccination
- CDC Study: Most reinfection cases in those not up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations
- CMS Returning to Certain Pre-COVID-19 Policies in Long-term Care and Other Facilities
- CMS Funding Available for Air Quality Upgrades
- CDC Study: Risk of dying from COVID-19 for people ages 60 years and older was 20 times higher among those who were unvaccinated compared with those who were fully vaccinated
New Materials & Resources
- New NHSN Tracking Sheets & Guidance
- 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.
Check in: How are we doing? Are you finding the events and materials helpful?
Give the Boost a Shot Event Recordings
About Give the Boost a Shot
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Best Practice/Center of the Week |
Rockmart Health Post-acute Nursing and Rehab, a 73-bed skilled nursing facility in Rockmart, Georgia, started with a baseline of 5.88% and is now 100% boosted. Help us celebrate them boosting their last 12 patients on March 24th! Here are just a couple of tactics they used to achieve 100% boosted:
- A mobile van booster provider that drives two hours to this facility to hold regular clinics
- A nurse manager champion who helped increase staff confidence and rates
Share your best practices! Email Leighann: Leighann.Sauls@allianthealth.org
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Latest Guidance/Updates |
- COVID-19 Over-the-Counter (OTC) tests for Medicare Recipients
As of April 4, 2022, Medicare covers up to 8 over-the-counter COVID-19 tests each calendar month, at no cost to you. This coverage continues until the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) ends. Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) will cover these tests if you have Part B. If you are in a Medicare Advantage Plan, you won’t get this benefit through your plan, but will get it like you would if you weren’t enrolled in the plan. You might need to show your red, white, and blue Medicare card to get your free over-the-counter COVID-19 tests (even if you have another card for a Medicare Advantage Plan or Medicare Part D plan). Read More
- CDC Test to Treat
The new nationwide Test to Treat initiative provides quick access to free treatment for COVID-19. Through this program, people can get tested and – if they are positive and treatments are appropriate for them – receive a prescription from a health care provider, and have their prescription filled all at one location. These "One-Stop Test to Treat" sites are available at hundreds of locations nationwide, including pharmacy-based clinics, federally qualified health centers, and long-term care facilities. People can continue to be tested and treated by their own health care providers who can appropriately prescribe these oral antivirals at locations where the medicines are distributed. A call center 1-800-232-0233 is available every day from 8:00 am to midnight ET to get help in more than 150 other languages. Read More
- Eligible Individuals Can Receive Second COVID-19 Booster Shot at No Cost
On April 6, 2022, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced it will pay for a second COVID-19 booster shot of either the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccines without cost sharing as it continues to provide coverage for this critical protection from the virus. People with Medicare pay nothing to receive a COVID-19 vaccine and there is no applicable copayment, coinsurance or deductible. People with Medicaid coverage can also get COVID-19 vaccines, including boosters, at no cost. Read More
- Revised (on 4/5/22) Guidance for the Interim Final Rule - Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Omnibus COVID-19 Health Care Staff Vaccination Download the memo
- CDC Study: Most reinfection cases in those not up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations
Vaccination protects against infection with SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) and related hospitalizations (1,2), and surviving a previous infection protects against B.1.1.7 (Alpha) and B.1.617.2 (Delta) variant reinfections. Since the SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.529 (Omicron) variant became predominant in the United States in late December 2021, reported reinfections have increased. Early reinfections (those occurring within 90 days of previous infection) are not well understood. Because some persons have prolonged detection of viral RNA after infection, repeat positive nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) results within 90 days could reflect prolonged shedding from earlier infection, presenting technical challenges to documenting and characterizing early reinfections. This report describes 10 patients from four states, with whole genome sequencing (WGS)–confirmed Omicron variant infections within 90 days of a previous Delta infection. Read More
- CMS Returning to Certain Pre-COVID-19 Policies in Long-term Care and Other Facilities
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is taking steps to continue to protect nursing home residents’ health and safety by announcing guidance that restores certain minimum standards for compliance with CMS requirements. Restoring these standards will be accomplished by phasing out some temporary emergency declaration waivers that have been in effect throughout the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE). These temporary emergency waivers were designed to provide facilities with the flexibilities needed to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. Read More
- CMS Funding Available for Air Quality Upgrades
Facilities can apply for civil monetary penalty (CMP) reinvestment funds to purchase portable fans and air room cleaners with high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters to increase or improve air quality. Read More
- Contact your state Department of Health to apply for funding. FAQ | Application
- Important note from the Alliant Infection Prevention experts: Ensure you add air purifiers and fans to routine cleaning and maintenance schedules.
- CDC Study: Risk of dying from COVID-19 for people ages 60 years and older was 20 times higher among those who were unvaccinated compared with those who were fully vaccinated
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New Materials & Resources |
- *NEW* NHSN Tracking Sheets & Guidance | Training Slides
- Level 1 Users:
- Level 3 Users:
- These changes will be reviewed during Shop Talk on 4/21 Register Here
- 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* |
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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 titled, Changing Behaviors by Tommy Barnett of North Highland followed by a 30-minute interactive discussion led by Swati Gaur MD, MBA, CMD, AGSF, Medical Director, Post Acute Care, Northeast Georgia Health System.
*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 30-minute educational presentation by the Florida Department of Health followed by a 15-minute interactive discussion led by Swati Gaur MD, MBA, CMD, AGSF, Medical Director, Post Acute Care, Northeast Georgia Health System.
*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
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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
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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.
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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
Led by Swati Gaur, MD, MBA, CMD, AGSF
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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
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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!
Led by Jeremy Bischoff, LHNA, BA – Alliant Quality Improvement Initiative Advisor
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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
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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!
Led by Amy Ward, MS, BSN, RN, CIC – Alliant Infection Prevention Specialist
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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
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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
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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.
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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!
Led by Swati Gaur, MD, MBA, CMD, AGSF
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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.
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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!
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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.
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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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