January 12, 2021
In today’s update, you will find important information, including:
- Join Us Today for a Live Audio Broadcast
- IMPORTANT UPDATE! Employee Vaccine Appointment Availability
- Will Employees Receive Additional Paid Time Off to be Vaccinated?
- Resource for Answering Patient Questions About Allergies and the Vaccine
- Weekly KPNW COVID-19 Trends
Live Audio Broadcast | Latest COVID-19 Updates from the KPNW Command Center
Join us today, Tuesday, January 12, starting at 12:10 p.m., for a LIVE audio broadcast.
Get the latest COVID-19 updates from the KPNW Regional Command Center:
- Vaccine Command Center Update
- Vaccine – Latest Updates
If you have a question you’d like leaders to address, submit it here.
IMPORTANT UPDATE! Employee Vaccine Appointment Availability
Yesterday afternoon, vaccine appointments were opened to all KPNW employees. If you are registered on kp.org, you received an email message from Kaiser Permanente NW with the subject line, “A new secure appointment ticket is now available.” By late evening, all appointment times in the Portland metro area were filled. Please do not call the contact center to schedule an appointment.
What to expect?
- Find additional vaccine appointment times on kp.org later this afternoon; and, check back throughout the week.
- Learn about plans for a mass vaccination site(s) on today’s live audio broadcast. A pilot is planned this weekend at the Tualatin Medical Office Building to test and adjust staffing and logistical workflows. We’ll keep you informed as details are finalized.
Do the vaccines have side effects?
- Like most recommended vaccines, the COVID-19 vaccines, which will be administered in 2 doses weeks apart, can produce side effects.
- Some people who have participated in clinical trials report fevers, headaches, fatigue, muscle aches, and/or soreness around injection sites.
- These symptoms are an expected sign that the body is building immunity.
Will Employees Receive Additional Paid Time Off to be Vaccinated?
No. We follow our usual pay practices for a voluntary vaccination, such as the flu shot.
Your health and safety are our top priority, and we are working to make getting vaccinated onsite at Kaiser Permanente easy and convenient. You can be vaccinated before or after work or while on break. Employees can also get vaccinated by any COVID-19 vaccine provider approved by their state.
Provided it works operationally and other options are not available, employees may be vaccinated during scheduled paid time. For example, like the flu shot, employees are not required to clock out for a vaccination opportunity available during a shift outside of a break/meal period if the department can accommodate. Due to the observation period and vaccination sites for this vaccine, it may be less likely than for flu vaccine to be able to be accommodated during a shift, but it is not precluded.
Resource for Answering Patient Questions About Allergies and the Vaccine
With the expansion of COVID-19 vaccination efforts, our providers are getting more questions around allergies and vaccination. Please see this document created to assist clinicians in answering these questions.
Weekly KPNW COVID-19 Trends
From KPNW researchers, scientists, and physicians, presented January 7:
- Anticipated Surge Timing: OR/WA were in a good position heading into the holidays, with a decreasing outbreak. Additional surges have been anticipated throughout the winter and are still likely, especially with the introduction and spread of the B.1.1.7 variant.
- At the present time, we are seeing early warning signs post-holiday that could result in an increase in hospital census in the next few weeks.
- Internal hospital census (ADC) weekly average was up 2% from last week to this week (47.3 to 48.1). ADC forecast for this week is 49 by Jan 13 (w. error). Forecast is trending up slightly, but still below Thanksgiving peak.
- ICU use rate is dropping. November average was 9%. December average was 22%, and currently, January is averaging 15%. There were 7 patients in the ICU internally as of Jan 6.
- KPNW COVID+ average weekly cases up after 4 weeks of decline (peak of 371 on Nov 23); up 8% from last week (139) to this week (150). Forecast for this week is 166 cases by Jan 13 (w. error).
Situation Update
Note: The COVID-19 Quick Facts Dashboard has been updated to include vaccination data.
Words from Our Members
“I am still in awe of how quickly all the emergency staff were able to help me. This was an amazing experience, especially with the concerns of COVID right now!”
Help Name the New Employee Recognition Program
Due to the success of last year’s COVID Hero Award program, we will be expanding the scope of the award this year to include work not related to the pandemic. And you can help! We invite you to get creative and submit a name for the new program to KPNW-Recognition@kp.org by Friday, January 22. Learn more.