Weekly Progress Notes April 22

April 22, 2020

 

Coronavirus Resources:

COVID-19 Resources for Suburban Staff

JHM Hospital Epidemiology and Infection Control website

JHM Internal Resource Portal 

 

NEWS & REMINDERS

COVID-19 Updates

 

 

 

Extraordinary People, Extraordinary Moments Campaign

As noted in this memo from Jacky Schultz, JHM has launched the Extraordinary People, Extraordinary Moments appreciation campaign. This campaign was created to honor the providers, faculty and staff working on the front lines and behind the scenes of the COVID-19 pandemic response. Like the employees featured in the above video, we invite you to share your stories of extraordinary people and extraordinary moments across Johns Hopkins and at Suburban. We look forward to your photos, videos and reflections that highlight important work. Please submit them here. You also can say thank you to a colleague or team for their important work and sacrifice by using the new JHM Appreciation Board. Finally, take the time to read some uplifting stories of our colleagues here and across Johns Hopkins Medicine at hopkinsmedicine.org/coronavirus.

Download this memo from Dr. Rothman and Kevin Sowers to learn more.

 

E2400 Unit Now Open

2400 has opened as a Med/Surg COVID unit. All staff entering the unit must wear an N95 mask. The 6300 unit is now closed.

 

PPE in ED

Everyone in the ED should wear an N95 masks at ALL TIMES, including support staff. Please speak with your supervisor if you need an N95 and remember that conservation is key. You should write your name on your N95 and store it in a brown paper bag issued in your P3 pack when not in use. If you have been issued a Draeger mask, you do NOT need an N95 as well. Also, please ensure that all peripheral doors in the ED remain closed at all times.

 

Universal Masking

As of Apr. 18, face coverings that cover the nose and mouth must be worn in all retail establishments and on public transportation in the state of Maryland per a directive from Governor Hogan. Inside the hospital, everyone—including patients—must wear a mask. There are a variety of masks in use depending on the area where they are being worn. If you use a cloth mask, please wash it every day. Cloth and industrial masks continue to be distributed to various departments. These masks cannot be worn by staff for patient care and are for use only in hallways, the lobby and other public areas. Industrial masks can also be worn by patients.

 

Self-Monitoring

Due to the widespread prevalence of COVID-19 in the community and risk of community exposure, everyone should assume they have been exposed and self-monitor their symptoms. Please download and use this self-monitoring log. On Thursday, Apr. 23, JHM Occupational Health will be launching the emocha Health self-monitoring remote app for all employees. A text message with instructions will be sent between noon and 1 p.m. on the launch date. Participation is voluntary.

If you are experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19, please call the JHM COVID-19 Employee Call Center (ECCC) at 443-287-8500 or 833-546-7546. The ECCC can schedule testing at Suburban’s drive-through site. Read this memo for how JHM recommends employees and patients stay safe and protected from COVID.

 

Important Update to the Visitation Policy

As of Monday, Apr. 20, all visitors coming to see patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 at Suburban for end-of-life or other circumstances must be approved by the Nursing Supervisor. Approved visitors must check in at the Security desk in the North Lobby, where they will receive a packet of PPE with an N95, gloves and a face shield from our donated stock. Download this handout to review the full policy.

 

Resiliency and Support Resources

Resilience is key for health care workers In the midst of a pandemic. Listen to this podcast by Albert Wu, co-director of the Resilience In Stressful Events (RISE) program, as he discusses the importance of supporting staff members and shares tips to mitigate anxiety and stress. Our response to disasters follow predictable psychological patterns.

Please see this graph from JHM with the main stages of pscyhcological response to disasters and download this list of support services for additional resources available across JHM. You can also check out these tips for staying socially connected during this time of social and physical distancing.

Tune in to one of two upcoming webinars with clinicians from the mySupport onsite clinical team, who will give an overview of mySupport services available and share simple and effective strategies to reduce anxiety and increase resiliency during the COVID-19 pandemic. Register for a webinar scheduled for April 22 or 29, both from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.

 

PPE Resources and Videos

• COVID-19 Inpatient PPE Guidance
• Outpatient Office Guidelines for COVID-19
• All staff memo on universal masking from Jacky Schultz
• JHM universal masking memo, FAQs and video
• Conserving and cleaning PPE video
• PPE donning and doffing videos for health care professionals
• Guidance on cloth face masks

 

Suburban Hospital Daily COVID-19 Critical Updates

• Tuesday, Apr. 21
• Monday, Apr. 20
• Sunday, Apr. 19
• Saturday, Apr. 18
• Friday, Apr. 17
• Thursday, Apr. 16
• Wednesday, Apr. 15

 

Additional Updates and Resources

• Returning Home After Caring for Patients wit COVID-19
• Employee Housing Requests During the COVID-19 Response Memo and Hotel Request Form
• JHHS Benefits Guidance During COVID-19
• Ensuring Safety and Security During COVID-19
• Extension of Three COVID-19 Practices
• Updated Guidance for COVID-19 Cardiorespiratory Arrest Response
• COVID-ED Portal
• COVID-19 Resources for JHHS Staff
• JHM Event Cancellations and Postponements 

 

Thank You to Our Community!

The outpouring of support from our community continues as individuals and organizations donate much-needed supplies. Donors have been dropping off supplies at the hospital and staff have been out in the community collecting hand-sewn masks, wipes and more.

Last week, Sara Levitch from Suburban’s Infection Prevention team reached out to the Palisades Eye Surgery Center in Bethesda about our short supply of disinfectant and they generously donated a large supply of hospital-grade disinfectant wipes. After talking to them, she was able to go pick them up only 10 minutes later.

**Please note that we are still in need of medical grade disinfectant wipes for our clinical areas. If your practice or ASC has containers you can spare, please consider donating them to Suburban. We are accepting donations at the McKinley Street side of the hospital on Tuesday and Fridays from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.**

Additionally, food donation offers should be directed to the Office of Patient & Family Experience at 301-896-6034. Please contact Kris Hakanson at Khakans1@jhmi.edu with questions.

Thank you to everyone for helping us spread the word through your community listservs and more. We are extremely grateful for this amazing support of Suburban’s COVID-19 response!

Resiliency Center

Suburban’s Resiliency Center, open 7 days a week from 11 a.m. – 10 p.m., is located on the 4th floor of the South Building down the hall from HR. The center is open to all staff and is a place to take 15-minute breaks from your duties to de-stress and recharge. Healthy refreshments are on hand to nourish the body and sessions are offered throughout the day to nourish the mind and spirit:

• Talk Circles (stress management)
• Open Art Studio
• Music Relaxation Therapy
• Chair Yoga
• Spirituality Mindfulness Meditation Sessions (Monday – Friday at noon, 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.)
• Brief Individual Sessions Relaxation Lounge

After hours, there will be a relaxation lounge open outside of the suite in interview room #3.

You are also invited to join a 30-minute session with the Healthy at Hopkins team every Wednesday at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. to ask questions about stress relief techniques, eating healthy and more. Enter access code 705-093-597 or dial in at 312-757-3121 to join.

Finally, visit the JHM Office of Well-being website to access support resources and to learn about upcoming events to keep you healthy and well through these unconventional times. Harpreet Gujral, director of integrative medicine, will host an Ask the Expert session on Thursday, April 23, from noon to 12:30 p.m., to explore the importance of breath and discuss tools and techniques to help you stay grounded and centered. To join online, click here. Participate via phone by dialing 1-872-240-3212 and using access code 239-753-045.

MEDICAL STAFF CALENDAR

Click here for the April 2020 calendar on HopkinsGreaterWashingtonMD.org.

 

CONTINUING MEDICAL EDUCATION

Johns Hopkins Medicine Continuing Medical Education Series

Apr. 22: Oncology Translational Research Conference “Targeting CD38, from adenosine homeostasis to NK cell fratricide”—to be streamed online via Zoom. Text CME Code 22756 to 443-541-5052 up to eight hours after the event.

Apr. 24: Oncology Grand Rounds “Pushing for New Therapies in Sarcoma”—to be streamed online via Zoom.

May 26 – June 10: Summer Institute in Mental Health Research. To register and learn more, click here.

  

EPIC TIPS OF THE WEEK

Clinical Communication and Mobile Devices

COVID-19 Resources