May 11, 2021
In today’s update, you will find important information, including:
- A Note from Jeff: Thank You, Nurses, for the Crucial Role You Play
- Join Today’s Live Audio Broadcast
- All4Oregon Update: OCC Mass Vaccination Site to Wrap Up June 19
- Instructions for Testing and Quarantine After Travel
- Celebrating the 1-Year Anniversary of Chase Gardens in Eugene
- Management of Anaphylaxis After COVID-19 Vaccination
- KPNW COVID-19 Trends
A Note from Jeff: Thank You, Nurses, for the Crucial Role You Play
The past year and a half has been extraordinary for our nurses. In addition to all they do for our members, they have played a central role during the ongoing pandemic. This year alone, they have cared for more than 1,395 COVID-positive patients in our Northwest hospitals and medical offices.
Their tireless efforts, working alongside physicians and other health care colleagues, have made it possible for our patients — like Hector Calderon, Oregon’s first COVID-positive patient — to return home to families, friends, and jobs. And their flexibility in accommodating our patients no matter where they were needed, be it through redeployment or working with new teams in new environments, has been essential during this ever-changing time.
They truly make a difference … see more for yourself here.
Join Today’s Live Audio Broadcast
Tune in today for our LIVE audio broadcast, starting at 12:10 p.m. Topics on the agenda include:
- Welcome and Community Update | Wendy Watson
- Clinical Vaccine Update | Katie Sharff, MD
- KP Vaccination Update | Michelle Teeples
- Q&A | All
- Close | Mary Giswold, MD
https://sparkstreetdigital.zoom.us/j/91660184663 (Audio only)
Dial In: +1 669 900 9128 Webinar ID: 916 6018 4663
Or iPhone one-tap: +16699009128,,91660184663#
All4Oregon Update: OCC Mass Vaccination Site to Wrap Up June 19
Since opening the All4Oregon Mass Vaccination Site at the Oregon Convention Center on January 20, we’ve had the honor of playing an instrumental role in vaccinating our community. As of Friday, nearly 465,000 vaccinations have been administered at the OCC.
From the start, All4Oregon has been committed to staying open as long as needed by the community. Last week, the vaccination process was made even easier by moving to self-scheduling and inviting walk-ins. It’s clear demand is waning as the vaccine becomes more readily available, more Oregonians become vaccinated, and health systems and partners refocus on taking the vaccine into smaller, neighborhood- and community-based settings.
Therefore, the All4Oregon Mass Vaccination Site schedule has been updated:
- First (prime) doses will be offered until May 27.
- In June, only 2nd doses will be offered.
- The All4Oregon site is expected to close on Saturday, June 19.
- All4Oregon administers the Pfizer vaccine.
If you haven’t received your COVID-19 vaccination yet, take advantage of the convenient, efficient OCC experience.
Instructions for Testing and Quarantine After Travel
The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) recently updated quarantine recommendations after exposure to COVID-19 in most settings to 14 days to provide the safest way to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Recommendations for quarantine and testing after travel when no known exposure has occurred, can depend upon whether travel was for essential vs non-essential purposes (recreational) and whether someone is “fully vaccinated.” Decisions about work restrictions for healthcare providers are left to healthcare facilities so staffing can be maintained to provide healthcare to our members.
With universal masking and by following our infection prevention and employee health policies, KPNW healthcare providers may continue to work after travel as long as they remain asymptomatic. Public health may also grant exceptions from quarantine for non-healthcare essential workers to return to work if (OHA April 24 Statewide Isolation and Quarantine Guidance).
| Vaccination Status | Non-essential Travel (domestic and international) |
| Fully Vaccinated | No test. No quarantine. |
| Not Fully Vaccinated | Test 3-5 days after return Should but are not required to quarantine 14 days* (If someone is unwilling to quarantine for 14 days, CDC offers additional options, such as quarantine for 7 days if the post-travel test is negative; or quarantine for 10 days if no test is done.) Avoid being around people at increased risk for severe illness for 14 days. |
Celebrating the 1-Year Anniversary of Chase Gardens in Eugene
On May 5, 2020, Kaiser Permanente Chase Gardens Medical Office in Eugene, Oregon, opened its doors to its first patients. Staff marked the 1-year anniversary last week with a local celebration and lunch. They were joined by Stella Dantas, MD, associate medical director, Ambulatory & Convenient Care; and Shannon Surber, Mid Valley senior administrator.
“I am extremely proud of the collaboration and commitment of the Chase Gardens team,” said Shannon Surber. “As we prepared for our grand opening last year, we found ourselves urgently needing to shift our work to respond to the growing pandemic. Our amazing facility offered new virtual and onsite services that allowed the team to pivot, yet still provide personal and convenient care for our members.”
“The small but mighty team in Eugene has done a tremendous job in the last year, nurturing Kaiser Permanente’s growing presence in Lane County and providing excellent care to our patients in that community,” said Dr. Dantas.
Kudos to the team for your commitment to our Eugene and Springfield area patients. To learn more about Chase Gardens, visit their website and check out the special anniversary story on MyKP.
Management of Anaphylaxis After COVID-19 Vaccination
Anaphylaxis, an acute and potentially life-threatening allergic reaction, has been reported rarely following COVID-19 vaccination. Health care personnel who are trained and qualified to recognize the signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis as well as administer intramuscular epinephrine should be available at the vaccination location at all times.
If a patient is treated for anaphylaxis at a COVID-19 vaccination clinic or receives a dose of epinephrine, they should be transferred to an Emergency Room for appropriate management and observation. Because anaphylaxis may recur after patients begin to recover, monitoring in a medical facility for at least four hours is advised, even after complete resolution of symptoms and signs.
Guidance to address questions/concerns regarding allergies and COVID-19 vaccination
CDC guidance for anaphylaxis and COVID-19 vaccines
KPNW COVID-19 Trends
From KPNW researchers, scientists, and physicians, effective May 10. Based on review of internal trends and external considerations our findings are:
- OR/WA surge is continuing; infection rate is now below the 1.0 threshold (R0=0.99).
- The surge is stabilizing. While new cases may be starting to stabilize/drop, there is the potential for increases in hospitalizations from individuals diagnosed 1-2 weeks ago.
- We are seeing significant improvement in the two-week forecast, compared to last week. Current modeling forecasts still suggest maximal impact on hospital census in the mid-May to mid-June time frame, with OHSU statewide forecasts show range of roughly 400 (most likely) – 575 (less likely) at peak. (click on link on Slide 6)
- Improvement in model forecasts has directly followed improved changes in public behavior indicators (i.e. lower mobility) by roughly two weeks
- Internal hospital census (ADC) weekly average was down 15% from last week to this week (31.1 to 26.3). Census was 20 on May 9. ADC forecast for this week is 21 by May 17 (w. error).
- Internal ICU census weekly average was down 11% from last week to this week (5.3 to 4.7). Internal ICU had 3 patients on May 9. ICU patients were 15% of COVID+ internal hospital census on May 9.
- KPNW COVID+ weekly average of daily cases down 21% from last week to this week (108 to 85).Case count forecast is 79 by May 17 (w. error).
Weekly Testing Turnaround Times
The average routine COVID-19 testing turnaround time (TAT) for the week of May 3 to May 9 is 19.5 hours. Member communications, including kp.org and call center scripts, inform members that TAT is usually within 24-48 hours so they can plan accordingly for travel.
Vaccination Quick Facts
Here is a snapshot of the most current vaccination data as of May 10. Visit the newly enhanced COVID-19 Quick Facts Dashboard for up-to-date, key data on the virus and vaccines.
Words from Our Members
“I loooooove video appointment options. With two kids, COVID-19 or not, it saves us a lot of time and stress for many of our appointment.”
“Very quick drive through COVID-19 test. On time, prompt service, quick results.”