Weekly Progress Notes April 29 - Johns Hopkins Greater Washington Area

April 28, 2020

April 29, 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

PPE Update: Expanded Use of Face Shields and Reusable Isolation Gowns

As our knowledge of COVID-19 and understanding of community transmission evolves, JHM continues to respond accordingly. To this end, all JHM staff are now required to wear a face shield, in addition to a mask or respirator, when in close contact with or caring for allpatients, not just those who are under investigation or known to have COVID-19. This precaution, which was implemented on Apr. 23, is designed to reduce the likelihood of viral transmission from asymptomatic and minimally symptomatic patients. To learn more, download this memo and printable chart outlining when to use various types of PPE.

As of Apr. 27, Security is replacing worn or damaged PPE—including face shields, hand sanitizer, industrial masks and cloth sewn masks—in the North Building main lobby. If you don’t have a face shield, Security will be able to provide you with one. Please write your name on your face shield to keep for cleaning and reuse.

To improve the sustainability of our isolation gown supply, the Johns Hopkins Corporate Supply Chain and Johns Hopkins Medicine Healthcare Epidemiology and Infection Control have collaborated with manufacturers to produce and secure several types of reusable (washable) isolation gowns to augment the current supply of disposable isolation gowns. Read this memo for more information.

Protocol for Asymptomatic Patients Undergoing a Surgery or Procedures

JHM has outlined the asymptomatic screening protocol for COVID-19 nucleic acid testing (NAT) by nasopharyngeal swab (NP) for asymptomatic patients undergoing a surgery or procedure in an OR or procedure suite. Please note this process is different than testing a patient with symptoms of COVID-19. Click here to download the guidelines.

Open Employee Forums

Suburban President Jacky Schultz and the Executive Team are hosting open forums in the auditorium this week. The upcoming dates are as follows:

Wednesday, Apr. 29 at 1 p.m.
Thursday, Apr. 30 at 3:30 p.m.
Friday, May 1 at noon

Safety Officers for COVID-19 Units

Safety Officers have been deployed to COVID-19 units as additional support to ensure staff continue to practice using the most up-to-date Infection Prevention guidelines. This includes PPE donning and doffing, the flow of COVID-19 unit anterooms and more.

COVID-19 Research at Suburban

Suburban is currently enrolling participants in a donor study to determine qualification for convalescent plasma collection. The goal of the study is to qualify individuals for donation of convalescent plasma for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19. At Suburban, the qualification visit involves a participant blood draw. If the participant qualifies, he or she will be notified by the JH team to schedule a visit at an approved center to donate plasma. Download this handout to learn more.

Self-Monitoring Reminder

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. On Friday, Apr. 24, JHM Occupational Health launched the emocha Health self-monitoring remote app for all employees. You should have received a text message with instructions on the launch date. Read this JHM memo to learn more. You also can download and use this self-monitoring log.

If you are experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19, please call the JHM COVID-19 Employee Call Center (ECCC) from 7. a.m. to 11 p.m. at 443-287-8500 or 833-546-7546. The ECCC can schedule testing at Suburban’s drive-through site.

Virtual Resuscitation Rounds Recording Available

To support staff members with guidance for COVID-19 cardiorespiratory arrest response, the CPR Advisory Committee conducted a virtual resuscitation rounds presentation with Q&A on Apr. 17. You can view the recorded presentation, which focused on an update of adult and pediatric arrest statements post-COVID-19. You can also download the updated Guidance for COVID-19 Cardiorespiratory Arrest Response.

COVID-19 Update from MedChi

Click here to download the latest COVID-19 update from MedChi.

Emotional Support Services

Members of the RISE: Resilience in Stressful Events program at Johns Hopkins Hospital will be at Suburban on Thursday, Apr. 30 from 5 a.m. to noon. The RISE program offers an emotional peer support structure for second victims who are emotionally impacted by stressful patient-related events or unanticipated adverse event such as the current extended disaster response. This RISE team, which is composed of multidisciplinary peer responders, will be rounding on clinical units and in support departments as well as offering private time to meet with a peer supporter in the Resiliency Center.

In addition, Suburban’s EAP vendor mySupport is now offering Talkspace, a free and secure resource to help providers:

Adapt to changes around COVID-19
Manage stress and other issues
Make time for self-care
Process emotions your job may trigger

After completing a short questionnaire, you can choose a licensed counselor to work with. Click here to learn more. For additional resources, call mySupport at 1-888-482-2733 / TTY 711 or visit www.resourcesforliving.com (Username: JHHS; Password: JHHS).

Virtual Summit on Diagnosing Diseases During the Pandemic

The Armstrong Institute Center for Diagnostic Excellence is holding a free, virtual summit on Wednesday, Apr. 29, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The summit will cover diagnosing COVID-19 and the virus that causes it, SARS-CoV-2, as well as other conditions. Learn more and register.

6300 Unit Open

The 6300 Unit opened on Monday, Apr. 27 as a non-COVID M/S unit.

PPE Resources and Videos

Suburban Hospital Daily COVID-19 Critical Updates

Additional Updates and resources

Welcome Lisa Levin

Lisa Levin, CPCS, recently joined Suburban Hospital as the Director of Medical Staff Administration. Lisa has 24 years of experience as a medical staff services professional, most recently as an employed contractor for The Hardenbergh Group in Michigan. Lisa has relocated from New York and looks forward to getting to know the area and collaborating with the medical staff at Suburban.

Lisa can be contacted at 301-896-2600 and llevin14@jhmi.edu.

Community Continues to Donate Critical Supplies

Members of community continue to donate much-needed supplies—including PPE—that will be used for staff, patients and any permitted visitors.

Mr. Fang Bin and his colleagues from the Capital Area Chinese American Volunteer Group have delivered thousands of PPE to area hospitals and nursing facilities. His group recently donated face masks, Tyvek suits and other PPE to Suburban. Local college student Tom Yu (pictured above) accompanied Mr. Bin and the group for the donation drop-off.

Students from the German International School of Washington (GISW) donated more than 100 hand-sewn masks to Suburban. Pictured below (left to right): a student with GISW board chair, Dagmar Tawil, and the school mascot "Griffn." Their story was featured in The Patch–Bethesda.

**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 2:00 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
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.

Healthy at Hopkins is also here to support your well-being during these unconventional times with a variety of offerings. These include 15-minute breathing sessions held via Zoom every Tuesday and Thursday with Harpreet Gujral, director, integrative medicine. She will guide you through breathing techniques that will help you feel relaxed and centered.

Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7:30 a.m.

Meeting ID: 928 8283 0544

Password: 545329

Tuesdays at 11:30 a.m.

Meeting ID: 964 7199 4372

Password: 933308

You can also download this Healthy at Hopkins flyer for tips and tools on reducing stress. Visit the Healthy at Hopkins portal (go to my.jh.edu and select the Healthy at Hopkins logo) and the Johns Hopkins Medicine Office of Well-Being's website for more information and resources.

Celebrating Ramadan

The blessed month of Ramadan takes place from Apr. 23 through Saturday, May 23. Ramadan marks the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and is observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting, prayer, reflection and community.

Suburban’s Office of Spiritual Care wishes you and your families many joys and blessings during this Holy month.

Toilet Paper for Sale at the Café

Suburban’s Café is now selling toilet paper for $.49/roll! You can also stock up on pantry staples at the Café, including milk, eggs, orange juice and bread. This service is open to all staff and available during the Café’s regular operating hours, daily from 6:30 a.m.—8:30 p.m.

(Pictured: Garfield Bowrin finalizes a display of toilet paper at the entrance to the Café.)

No Smoking Reminder

As a reminder, Suburban Hospital is a tobacco-free institution. The use of tobacco is not permitted on Suburban property, including inside buildings, on the grounds, in the surrounding residential neighborhood, parking lot or vehicles on hospital property. Please review the Suburban Hospital Tobacco-Free Policy. Thank you for showing your respect to our neighbors and neighborhood.

Notice on Upcoming CME Activities

In response to COVID-19, JHM has adjusted its approach to CME. All enduring (on demand) activities remain open and available to you through the CME website. For live activities scheduled between now and early May, please check our CME website for updated information on an activity. Click here to subscribe to the CME email list.

MEDICAL STAFF CALENDAR

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

CONTINUING MEDICAL EDUCATION

Johns Hopkins Medicine Continuing Medical Education Series

Apr. 29: Oncology Translational Research Conference “Age Against the Machine – How Aging Disrupts the Homeostasis of Cancer”—to be streamed online via Zoom (Meeting ID: 410 955 9702; Password: 04292020). Text CME Code 22757 to 443-541-5052 up to eight hours after the event.
May 1: Oncology Grand Rounds "New Therapeutic Options for Select Gastrointestinal Malignancies”—to be streamed online via Zoom (Meeting ID: 984 2063 7961; Password: 013529).
May 1: Informatics Grand Rounds “ Autonomous AI: ethical principles and safety, efficacy and equity" and "Efficacy, Convenience, and Cost-Savings of POC retinopathy screening using AI in pediatric diabetes care: the Hopkins experience”—click here for a direct link to the Zoom webcast.
May 26 – June 10: Summer Institute in Mental Health Research. To register and learn more, click here.

EPIC TIPS OF THE WEEK

Associating Encounters to a Research Study

COVID-19 Resources