December 15, 2020
In today’s update, you will find important information, including:
- Live Audio Broadcast Today
- KPNW Receives Its First Shipment of COVID-19 Vaccine Today
- NEW COVID-19 Vaccine FAQs
- Change to N95 Guidance
- Weekly KPNW COVID-19 Trends
- Situation Update
Live Audio Broadcast | Latest COVID-19 Updates from the KPNW Command Center
Join our next LIVE audio broadcast today from 12:10 p.m. to 1 p.m.
Get the latest COVID-19 updates from the KPNW Regional Command Center:
- Vaccine – Prepare for Distribution + Answers to Recent Questions
- Clinician/Employee Health – COVID-19 Exposure, Quarantine, Return to Work
- Hospital Team Nursing Approach – Model, Roles, Triggers, and Training
Submit your questions or suggestions for future topics. For more information, review the audio broadcast flyer
Oregon Health Authority Announces: First Doses of COVID-19 Vaccine Arrive in Oregon; First KPNW Shipment Arrives at Airport Way Lab this Morning
State kicks off massive immunization campaign as health facilities begin receiving new Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine
The shipments follow a U.S. Food and Drug Administration decision on Friday to issue an emergency use authorization for the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, which was found in Phase 3 clinical trials to be 95% effective and, in most people, cause only mild to moderate, short-lived side effects.
The OHA’s announcement notes that Legacy received the vaccine yesterday, with our KP Airport Way Lab and OHSU to follow today.
Governor Kate Brown says “In recent weeks, as COVID-19 vaccines reached the final stages of approval, I have said time and again that hope is on the way. Today, I can tell you that help is here.”
NEW COVID-19 Vaccine FAQs
As noted above, KPNW is receiving our first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine this week. Appointing has already begun for some employees and clinicians who work in the hospital with COVID-19+ or suspected COVID-19+ patients. Vaccination is expected to begin this Friday, December 18. More employees and clinicians will receive the vaccine as more supplies become available. you will receive a scheduling ticket when it is your turn. For the latest updates, please review the new FAQs.
Change to N95 Guidance
For patients who are asymptomatic, undergoing AGPs and have tested negative, N-95s are recommended/highly suggested, rather than optional as previously noted. (This change comes following updates from OHA).
There is no change for required N-95 use for AGPs in:
- COVID positive patients
- PUIs
- Patients whose test status is unknown or pending
Weekly KPNW COVID-19 Trends
This week’s COVID-19 trends from KPNW researchers, scientists, and physicians, presented on Friday, December 11:
- Anticipated Surge Timing: Based on observed data patterns, we expect multiple surges through late January (with higher hospitalization census possibly into mid-Feb. 2021).
- Hospital Census for both KPNW and for the Oregon has been stable for the last week. Taken together with falling case rates, lower R effective, and flatter forecasts may indicate that we have passed the Thanksgiving surge.
- Recent OR & WA state restrictions have been working, but we are anticipating another increase around the December holidays, with gatherings, travel, and college student returning.
- Internal hospital census (ADC) weekly average was down 3% from last week to this week (46.4 to 45.0). ADC forecast for this week is 48 by Dec 17 (w. error). Forecast is still increasing trend from early Nov but may be at a temporary plateau.
- ICU use is up in December compared with October and November. Though December 10th ICU census is 23% of hospital census, compared with 17% in October and 9% in November.
- KPNW COVID+ cases weekly average was down 13% from last week to this week (204 to 177). Forecast for this week is 214 cases by Dec 17 (w. error).
New QR Code Provides Easy Access to COVID-19 Updates
In response to an employee suggestion a QR code was created, making it convenient for KPNW employees to access COVID-19 updates using a mobile phone. Tip: Scan the code now (or save a copy) and bookmark the web page for convenient access to the huddle card and emails from our senior leaders concerning COVID-19.
Help get the word out by printing and posting this flyer (attached) in employee break areas, and especially in areas where employees do not have access to computers.
The QR code is for internal use only. Guide members to kp.org/coronavirus for the latest COVID-19 care and testing information.
Situation Update
Note: we are working to revise the situation table to ensure it captures the most relevant, timely information. Look for a refreshed format in the near future.
Words from Our Members
“I was pleasantly surprised by how well the video visit experience was. I also appreciate that Kaiser staff can work remotely for this type of work. It reduces their exposure while still allowing people like me to get needed treatment. This technology needs to stay in place after COVID-19 has been controlled.”