Below are excerpts of an internal memo from one of the large healthcare systems in New Jersey that was distributed yesterday. I removed references to the system, but thought some of the information might be helpful
We have known that a second surge of COVID-19 was expected this fall, and as the case numbers have been increasing for weeks, we can soundly say we are in it. So far, we are not facing the same level of patient volume we experienced in the spring, and care options have improved significantly since then. Our resurgence planning has ensured we are in a good place with PPE supply, staffing, medication and clinical protocols. We are a strong organization of strong people. We will continue to get through this, together.
Health and safety recommendations
This week, the New Jersey Department of Health issued COVID-19 health and safety recommendations for gatherings during the winter holiday season. The guidelines urge residents to prioritize outdoor gatherings and travel outside their homes as infrequently as possible for upcoming holiday celebrations. They advise: Indoor gatherings should be limited to immediate household members only. If hosting an indoor holiday celebration with people not from one’s household, attendance should be kept as small as possible.
New Jersey COVID cases
Yesterday, New Jersey reported 4,913 new cases of COVID-19. There were 3,315 people being treated throughout the state’s 71 hospitals as of last night, the most since May 20, but still below the state’s peak of more than 8,000 inpatients in April. On Wednesday morning, five hospitals in the state were on divert status citing patient volume. A sixth hospital was on divert for critical care, also citing patient volume.
COVID-19 vaccine
The Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines have been submitted to the FDA for Emergency Use Authorization (EUA). In anticipation, last week, we conducted a second poll of our team members, and 58.4% of the 9,569 respondents are interested in getting vaccinated. We expect vaccine in house by the second week in December. At that time, staff will begin to receive notification by email and/or text with a link to register and schedule an appointment to receive the first dose of the 2-dose vaccine series.
WE STRONGLY ENCOURAGE ALL TO REGISTER AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AFTER RECIEPT OF THE LINK. We will be accommodating all shifts and days of the week. We anticipate with both doses to give 50,000 vaccine injections over a six-week period! An army of people have been doing spectacular work to bring the vaccine to our workforce as quickly as possible.
Bamlanivimab - Monoclonal antibody
We have launched a process for the administration of Eli Lilly’s Bamlanivimab, the neutralizing monoclonal antibody against SARS-COV2 virus. All 11 of our adult acute care facilities have started to provide this treatment, which is administered through an infusion. We have already treated more than 200 patients.
Important facts related to Bamlanivimab:
On November 21, Regeneron announced that it was granted EUA for its combination drug cocktail for COVID-19 patients. The two components of the mixture are Casirivimab and Imdevimab. The process, when we receive the products, will be similar to the process created for Eli Lilly’s Bamlanivimab. This will be for outpatients with a positive COVID-19 test who meet strict criteria. The infusion will take place in the Emergency Department/RDU/observation unit.
CCP – COVID-19 convalescent plasma
The federal government’s Operation Warp Speed is working with select medical centers throughout the country to increase availability of convalescent plasma for patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 virus. This will involve creating programs to foster the therapy by collecting plasma from former COVID-19 patients.
Visitation/patient family communication
During the spring COVID-19 surge, we managed visiting restrictions as a system, with every facility doing the same thing. Now, with the fall resurgence, we will approach that differently. Each facility will make its own decision regarding visitation, ensuring patient/family communications programs are fully functional prior to curtailing visiting hours.
Food and flower delivery restrictions
We have re-issued previous restrictions on food and flower delivery to limit the number of people entering our facilities.
We are spreading COVID-19 to each other within our facilities when we do not follow our COVID-19 rules and precautions. We continue to see a relaxing of safety measures during employee meal times and breaks. This is an area of concern and vulnerability. As a reminder, the following meal- and break-time rules must be followed in all of our facilities by everyone.
We have known that a second surge of COVID-19 was expected this fall, and as the case numbers have been increasing for weeks, we can soundly say we are in it. So far, we are not facing the same level of patient volume we experienced in the spring, and care options have improved significantly since then. Our resurgence planning has ensured we are in a good place with PPE supply, staffing, medication and clinical protocols. We are a strong organization of strong people. We will continue to get through this, together.
Health and safety recommendations
This week, the New Jersey Department of Health issued COVID-19 health and safety recommendations for gatherings during the winter holiday season. The guidelines urge residents to prioritize outdoor gatherings and travel outside their homes as infrequently as possible for upcoming holiday celebrations. They advise: Indoor gatherings should be limited to immediate household members only. If hosting an indoor holiday celebration with people not from one’s household, attendance should be kept as small as possible.
Visitation/patient family communication
During the spring COVID-19 surge, we managed visiting restrictions as a system, with every facility doing the same thing. Now, with the fall resurgence, we will approach that differently. Each facility will make its own decision regarding visitation, ensuring patient/family communications programs are fully functional prior to curtailing visiting hours.
Food and flower delivery restrictions
We have re-issued previous restrictions on food and flower delivery to limit the number of people entering our facilities.
We are spreading COVID-19 to each other within our facilities when we do not follow our COVID-19 rules and precautions. We continue to see a relaxing of safety measures during employee meal times and breaks. This is an area of concern and vulnerability. As a reminder, the following meal- and break-time rules must be followed in all of our facilities by everyone.
Meetings – limit on in-person numbers
NJ Gov. Murphy signed an executive order limiting indoor and outdoor gathering limits. The indoor gathering limit was lowered from 25 to 10 people. In accordance, we have amended our meetings policy to reflect that change. Indoor in-person meetings with up to 10 people only may occur when there are no other options, given safety guidelines are met.
We have known that a second surge of COVID-19 was expected this fall, and as the case numbers have been increasing for weeks, we can soundly say we are in it. So far, we are not facing the same level of patient volume we experienced in the spring, and care options have improved significantly since then. Our resurgence planning has ensured we are in a good place with PPE supply, staffing, medication and clinical protocols. We are a strong organization of strong people. We will continue to get through this, together.
Health and safety recommendations
This week, the New Jersey Department of Health issued COVID-19 health and safety recommendations for gatherings during the winter holiday season. The guidelines urge residents to prioritize outdoor gatherings and travel outside their homes as infrequently as possible for upcoming holiday celebrations. They advise: Indoor gatherings should be limited to immediate household members only. If hosting an indoor holiday celebration with people not from one’s household, attendance should be kept as small as possible.
New Jersey COVID cases
Yesterday, New Jersey reported 4,913 new cases of COVID-19. There were 3,315 people being treated throughout the state’s 71 hospitals as of last night, the most since May 20, but still below the state’s peak of more than 8,000 inpatients in April. On Wednesday morning, five hospitals in the state were on divert status citing patient volume. A sixth hospital was on divert for critical care, also citing patient volume.
COVID-19 vaccine
The Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines have been submitted to the FDA for Emergency Use Authorization (EUA). In anticipation, last week, we conducted a second poll of our team members, and 58.4% of the 9,569 respondents are interested in getting vaccinated. We expect vaccine in house by the second week in December. At that time, staff will begin to receive notification by email and/or text with a link to register and schedule an appointment to receive the first dose of the 2-dose vaccine series.
WE STRONGLY ENCOURAGE ALL TO REGISTER AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AFTER RECIEPT OF THE LINK. We will be accommodating all shifts and days of the week. We anticipate with both doses to give 50,000 vaccine injections over a six-week period! An army of people have been doing spectacular work to bring the vaccine to our workforce as quickly as possible.
Bamlanivimab - Monoclonal antibody
We have launched a process for the administration of Eli Lilly’s Bamlanivimab, the neutralizing monoclonal antibody against SARS-COV2 virus. All 11 of our adult acute care facilities have started to provide this treatment, which is administered through an infusion. We have already treated more than 200 patients.
Important facts related to Bamlanivimab:
- We have a VERY limited supply, which will be refreshed bi-weekly per state allotments dependent on hospital COVID-19 volume.
- It is for outpatients ONLY who meet strict, specific criteria.
- It is administered in the Emergency Department/RDU/observation unit by our ED physicians.
- Required follow-up is by the Medical Group at 24 and 72 hours post-infusion.
- If a patient is referred from a private attending the individual will be returned to that doctor’s care after 72 hours post-infusion for follow up.
On November 21, Regeneron announced that it was granted EUA for its combination drug cocktail for COVID-19 patients. The two components of the mixture are Casirivimab and Imdevimab. The process, when we receive the products, will be similar to the process created for Eli Lilly’s Bamlanivimab. This will be for outpatients with a positive COVID-19 test who meet strict criteria. The infusion will take place in the Emergency Department/RDU/observation unit.
CCP – COVID-19 convalescent plasma
The federal government’s Operation Warp Speed is working with select medical centers throughout the country to increase availability of convalescent plasma for patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 virus. This will involve creating programs to foster the therapy by collecting plasma from former COVID-19 patients.
Visitation/patient family communication
During the spring COVID-19 surge, we managed visiting restrictions as a system, with every facility doing the same thing. Now, with the fall resurgence, we will approach that differently. Each facility will make its own decision regarding visitation, ensuring patient/family communications programs are fully functional prior to curtailing visiting hours.
Food and flower delivery restrictions
We have re-issued previous restrictions on food and flower delivery to limit the number of people entering our facilities.
- Food delivery for staff: When food is delivered for staff, the delivery person is not be permitted beyond the front desk; food will have to be picked up there.
- Flower deliveries: We have enacted a temporary ban on flower deliver to patients.
We are spreading COVID-19 to each other within our facilities when we do not follow our COVID-19 rules and precautions. We continue to see a relaxing of safety measures during employee meal times and breaks. This is an area of concern and vulnerability. As a reminder, the following meal- and break-time rules must be followed in all of our facilities by everyone.
- Wear a mask at all times in the presence of other people, including in break rooms.
- Maintain social distancing of 6 feet in all break rooms, cafeterias and/or gathering areas where employees remove their facemasks for meals and/or other breaks.
- Do not join tables together, and keep chairs in place as they have been strategically placed 6 feet apart to maintain social distancing.
We have known that a second surge of COVID-19 was expected this fall, and as the case numbers have been increasing for weeks, we can soundly say we are in it. So far, we are not facing the same level of patient volume we experienced in the spring, and care options have improved significantly since then. Our resurgence planning has ensured we are in a good place with PPE supply, staffing, medication and clinical protocols. We are a strong organization of strong people. We will continue to get through this, together.
Health and safety recommendations
This week, the New Jersey Department of Health issued COVID-19 health and safety recommendations for gatherings during the winter holiday season. The guidelines urge residents to prioritize outdoor gatherings and travel outside their homes as infrequently as possible for upcoming holiday celebrations. They advise: Indoor gatherings should be limited to immediate household members only. If hosting an indoor holiday celebration with people not from one’s household, attendance should be kept as small as possible.
Visitation/patient family communication
During the spring COVID-19 surge, we managed visiting restrictions as a system, with every facility doing the same thing. Now, with the fall resurgence, we will approach that differently. Each facility will make its own decision regarding visitation, ensuring patient/family communications programs are fully functional prior to curtailing visiting hours.
Food and flower delivery restrictions
We have re-issued previous restrictions on food and flower delivery to limit the number of people entering our facilities.
- Food delivery for staff: When food is delivered for staff, the delivery person is not be permitted beyond the front desk; food will have to be picked up there.
- Flower deliveries: We have enacted a temporary ban on flower deliver to patients.
We are spreading COVID-19 to each other within our facilities when we do not follow our COVID-19 rules and precautions. We continue to see a relaxing of safety measures during employee meal times and breaks. This is an area of concern and vulnerability. As a reminder, the following meal- and break-time rules must be followed in all of our facilities by everyone.
- Wear a mask at all times in the presence of other people, including in break rooms.
- Maintain social distancing of 6 feet in all break rooms, cafeterias and/or gathering areas where employees remove their facemasks for meals and/or other breaks.
- Do not join tables together, and keep chairs in place as they have been strategically placed 6 feet apart to maintain social distancing.
Meetings – limit on in-person numbers
NJ Gov. Murphy signed an executive order limiting indoor and outdoor gathering limits. The indoor gathering limit was lowered from 25 to 10 people. In accordance, we have amended our meetings policy to reflect that change. Indoor in-person meetings with up to 10 people only may occur when there are no other options, given safety guidelines are met.
