December 31, 2020
In today’s update, you will find important information, including:
- Save the Date | The Next Live Audio Broadcast is January 5
- Preparing for Your COVID-19 Vaccination
- COVID-19 Vaccines for Long-Term Care Facility Patients
- UPDATE On Members Traveling Within 90 Days of Positive Test
- PPE by Level of Isolation
Live Audio Broadcast | Latest COVID-19 Updates from the KPNW Command Center
Join our next LIVE audio broadcast Tuesday, January 5, starting at 12:10 p.m.
Get the latest COVID-19 updates from the KPNW Regional Command Center:
- COVID-19 Vaccine
- COVID-19 Variant
- Team Nursing
If you have a question you’d like leaders to address, submit it here.
Preparing for Your COVID-19 Vaccination
When preparing for your COVID-19 vaccine, please keep these guidelines in mind:
- Arrive no sooner than 5 minutes before your appointment time.
- Allow time to stay for a 15-minute post-vaccine observation period in the vaccination area.
- If you have a history of allergies, you will need to be monitored for 30 minutes at the vaccination site.
- It is essential we each follow this monitoring protocol for observation. If you don’t have time to wait, you will need to reschedule your appointment.
- Rare adverse reactions have been reported after vaccination, including anaphylaxis. Our protocol enables us to safely monitor, manage, and report vaccine reactions.
If you have questions, please contact Employee Health.
COVID-19 Vaccines for Long-Term Care Facility Patients
Walgreens and CVS are now offering on-site COVID-19 vaccination services for KP members who reside in long-term care facilities. As part of the Oregon Health Authority’s Phase 1a COVID-19 Vaccine Sequencing plan, those residents are currently eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine in Oregon — and soon will be in Washington.
If a KP member receives a notice from Walgreens or CVS to get their vaccine:
- They will be advised to contact their Northwest Permanente clinician, to confirm it’s the right choice for them.
- If approved, the patient will use the retail pharmacy link to book their appointment.
- The retail pharmacy will administer these vaccines directly.
- There is no cost to KP members.
UPDATE On Members Traveling Within 90 Days of Positive Test
CDC does not recommend testing again in the three months after a positive viral test, as long as the person does not have COVID-19 symptoms. If a person has had a positive viral test in the past 3 months, and has met the criteria to end isolation, that person should travel with a copy of their test results and a letter from their doctor or health department that states you have been cleared for travel.
PPE by Level of Isolation
Please see our updated infographic detailing the use of PPE based on the level of isolation. The document provides guidance for using the correct PPE when caring for COVID-19 positive patients based on the level of isolation (unit or room) and if AGPs are performed.
NWP 365 Podcast Episodes
Episode 121 | Guest host Dr. Mary Giswold speaks to Dr. Spindel about COVID-19, vaccines, anosmia, and herd immunity.
Flu Shots at Designated Pharmacies Extended to March 31
We’ve extended our partnership with retail pharmacies. Members can now get a flu shot at designated pharmacies through March 31. If you haven’t gotten your flu shot yet, or completed a declination form, now is the time to do so. Visit Kp.org to find a retail pharmacy location, and read more on insideKP.
Reminder: Please wait 14 days between getting a flu vaccine and getting a COVID-19 vaccine. It is not known if getting the COVID-19 vaccine within 14 days of another vaccine will affect how each vaccine works.
Situation Update
Note: The COVID-19 Quick Facts Dashboard has been updated to include vaccination data.
