April 1, 2021
In today’s update, you will find important information, including:
- KPNW Taking Care of Our Community
- Accelerated Access to COVID-19 Vaccinations in Oregon
- Washington State COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution
- Next Live Audio Broadcast
- Temporary Paid Leave, Child Care Grants Extended Until June 5
- Update on Ambulatory Care Facility Planning
KPNW Taking Care of Our Community
We can all be proud of the work taking place in our community to ensure that everyone is informed about the COVID-19 vaccine and has an opportunity to receive it as soon as they are eligible. Check out these recent stories:
Boosting vaccine confidence for Pacific Islanders
On March 13, KPNW in partnership with the Oregon Pacific Islander Coalition and its partner organizations held a COVID-19 vaccine clinic at our North Lancaster clinic. The clinic was created to reach local Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders who live or work in Marion County.
Through the 1-day clinic, 160 people received their first dose of the vaccine. Read more here.
As pregnant women become eligible for COVID vaccine, doctors combat vaccine hesitancy | KATU. Dr. Stella Dantas, OBGYN and associate medical director for Ambulatory and Convenient Care, spoke to KATU News about the safety of the COVID-19 vaccines for women who are pregnant or breast-feeding.
Facebook Live Event:Learn more about the COVID-19 vaccines from Dr. Katie Sharff, one of our expert Infectious Disease physicians. Although the event is over, you can listen and share the link with your friends and family.
Accelerated Access to COVID-19 Vaccinations in Oregon
As of March 29, people in Phase 1B Group 6 are eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccine. This includes adults 45-64 with one or more underlying health conditions with increased risk*, pregnant people 16 and older, individuals experiencing houselessness, and others.
Starting April 5, Phase 1B Group 7 eligibility opens statewide. This includes adults 16-44 with one or more underlying health conditions with increased risk*.
Starting May 1, Phase 2 eligibility opens statewide. This includes all people who are 16 and older.
*Recently updated: Underlying health conditions with increased risk as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
- Cancer
- Chronic kidney disease
- COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
- Down Syndrome
- Heart conditions, such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, or cardiomyopathies
- Immunocompromised state (weakened immune system) from solid organ transplant or HIV
- Obesity (BMI greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2)
- Pregnancy
- Sickle cell disease
- Type 2 diabetes mellitus
For a full description of all phases and groups in Oregon, refer to the OHA Vaccine Sequencing Infographic.
Washington State COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution
Yesterday, Gov. Jay Inslee announced that effective April 15, all Washingtonians over the age of 16 will be eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccination. Currently, people in Phase 1B tiers 3 and 4 are eligible for the vaccine. This includes people 16 years or older with 2 or more co-morbidities or underlying conditions, all people 60 years and older, educators and school staff, all workers in health care settings, and many more. For a full description of all phases and tiers in Washington, refer to the Washington Department of Public Health COVID-19 Vaccine site.
Next Live Audio Broadcast
Plan on joining the next LIVE audio broadcast on Tuesday, April 13, starting at 12:10 p.m. Note: We plan to offer a live audio broadcast every other Tuesday through June.
What COVID-19 topics interest you most? What questions do you want answered? Submit your questions or suggestions to help shape our audio broadcast agendas!
Temporary Paid Leave, Child Care Grants Extended
Kaiser Permanente is extending both the COVID-19 paid leave and child care grant benefits through June 5, 2021.
COVID-19 paid leave: This benefit provides up to 80 hours of paid leave if you need time off from work due to COVID-19 symptoms, close contact with a person who is known to have laboratory-confirmed COVID-19, or orders to self-quarantine from a doctor or federal, state, or local authorities. You will need to complete an attestation and let your manager know to code these hours as COVID-19 paid leave.
COVID-19 child care grant: This benefit provides eligible employees up to $200 per week to help pay for child care for children age 14 and younger or dependent disabled adult children. You will need to complete a grant request form each week you need child care. For more information, sign in to HRconnect for details on the COVID-19 temporary benefits as well as other resources such as the employee assistance program. The benefits content on the HR portal will be updated soon to reflect the extension.
Update on Ambulatory Care Facility Planning
A year ago, when COVID-19 first appeared, we closed several medical office buildings and focused more urgently on safety and virtual care. This spring, we’re permanently closing care at 4 medical office buildings: Lake Road, Hillsboro, Murray Hill, and One Town Center. We made the decision to move services from these buildings to continue to embrace virtual care post-pandemic; consolidate services within primary and specialty care locations to better coordinate care; and maximize use of buildings that KP owns and operates. Members paneled to clinicians at those MOBs will be notified by mail.
The moves will happen as follows:
- Lake Road services will move to the Sunnybrook MOB effective in June/July. (Note: Patients who now receive hemodialysis services at our contracted provider DaVita Lake Road will continue to receive hemodialysis services there.)
- Hillsboro and Murray Hill services will move to other Westside MOBs, effective May/June.
- One Town Center services will move to the KSMC campus effective May/June.
While we know these relocations require our patients and staff to embrace change, our members enjoy improved ease and convenience with our continued growth in virtual care options.
KPNW Superhero Award Winners
Individual Award: Kamonrat (Oui) Borowsky, Dental Member Assistant, Cedar Hills Dental Office
Oui (pronounced ooey) always goes above and beyond not just for members but for her coworkers, as well. When redeployed, she always had a smile even in difficult situations, and is always determined to ensure our members always have the perfect experience. Read more.
Team Award: Home Health
During the February snowstorm Home Health registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, social workers, and home health aides were out seeing patients. The Home Health staff don’t get “snow days” and they often put their patients’ safety above their own. Read more.
he KPNW Superhero Award celebrates this excellence by recognizing the creative and collaborative ways your teammates support our company, our members, and community. Help spread the word! Post the KPNW Superhero Award flier in break rooms, and wherever teams gather for meetings / huddles and nominate your hero today!
Vaccination Quick Facts
Here is a snapshot of the most current vaccination data as of March 31. Visit the newly enhanced COVID-19 Quick Facts Dashboard for up-to-date, key data on the virus and vaccines.
NWP 365 Podcast Episodes
Episode 146 | Dr. Dantas speaks with Dr. Spindel about COVID-19 vaccines, PPE, monoclonal antibodies, and treatment.