March 30, 2021
In today’s update, you will find important information, including:
- Keizer Station Team Boosts Access through Video Visits
- KPNW COVID-19 Trends
- Weekly Testing Turnaround Times
- Vaccination Quick Facts
- Words from Our Members
Keizer Station Team Boosts Access through Video Visits
A Keizer Station team – led by Ruthie Berrell, Dr. Caroline King-Widdall, and Molly Maddox – worked together to improve access for patients through video visits before COVID-19 began. When the pandemic hit, they were ahead of the curve, meeting patients’ care needs. Their efforts have not gone unnoticed: The team received the region’s UBT Excellence Recognition Award for improving service and access. Read more in the latest issue of the Labor Management Partnership digital publication Hank.
KPNW COVID-19 Trends
From KPNW researchers, scientists, and physicians, effective March 25. Based on review of internal trends and external considerations our findings are:
- Anticipated Surge: OR/WA outbreak is now stable (R=0.99), a change from decreasing.
- We may be approaching a true trend change in the short term and will watch this closely moving forward.
- Longer-term forecasts have much uncertainty due to new variants, slow rollout of vaccines, and potential re-opening of society, schools, economy.
- Current modeling forecasts of future surges beginning later this Spring continue to show low/moderate impact on hospitalizations overall, due to rapidly increasing vaccination of high-risk age groups, but with increasing hospitalizations among younger age groups.
- Internal hospital census (ADC) weekly average was down 23% from last week to this week (11.1 to 8.6). Census was 5 on Mar 24. ADC forecast for this week is 6 by Apr 7 (w. error).
- For internal hospitals the age distribution for admits and census shows a slightly lower average age in March compared to Jan and Feb. When we remove outliers, LOS is reasonably steady across Jan to March. We will continue to monitor.
- Internal ICU has dropped to zero since March 18.
Weekly Testing Turnaround Times
The average routine COVID-19 testing turnaround time (TAT) for the week of March 22 to 28 is 17.9 hours. Member communications, including kp.org and call center scripts, have been updated to inform members that TAT is usually within 24-48 hours so they can plan accordingly for travel.
What’s New in HealthConnect
The latest newsletter from Michael McNamara, MD, and the Department of Medical Informatics is now available. Some of the many important topics covered:
- How Can I Tell if a Patient Has Received COVID Vaccine(s)?
- COVID Vaccine Care Gap Now on the Patient Storyboard!
- 21st Century Cures Act: Sharing of All Clinical Notes in Real Time
Vaccination Quick Facts
Here is a snapshot of the most current vaccination data as of March 29. Visit the newly enhanced COVID-19 Quick Facts Dashboard for up-to-date, key data on the virus and vaccines.
Words from Our Members
“My husband and I are in our 80s and in pretty good health. Our adult children, some of whom live out of state, have wanted us to get the vaccine. We said OK when it is time because there are so many others who need it more than we do. Plus, we did not want to be on the phone for three or more hours trying to get an appointment (we have no internet), or to drive out to the fairgrounds and wait in our car.
We called Kaiser, our provider, and I got an appointment within three days at Cascade Park. There was a big line, but the staff was overwhelmingly patient, caring and kind. Standing in line waiting was fun because others were there talking about how exciting it would be to hug our grandchildren again. I was also impressed that there was a room for people with wheelchairs and walkers to get their shots and not have to stand.
A week later my husband got his shot and no lines, and he was in and out in less than an hour. We also had no side effects as well. We get our second shot at the end of the month.”