Important COVID-19 Updates, Top Doctors Recognition, CI Program Updates
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Jan. 13, 2022
In this issue
Important COVID Updates
CI Program Updates
Top Doctors Recognition
Supporting your practice: Blood Supply Shortages, Paging System Upgrade
As we manage through this COVID-19 surge,
APP Key Messages will focus on urgent COVID-19 and critical updates for physicians until further notice.
No visitor policy extended to ambulatory clinics: In addition to the no visitor policy in Advocate Aurora’s hospitals and emergency departments, we're also not allowing visitors in ambulatory settings, with a few exceptions. APP offices located within Advocate Aurora facilities are asked to align with ourVisitor Guidelines. Those not located in our facilities may use the guidelines as a resource for developing your own.
Symptom monitoring support for all COVID-19 positive patients: Enterprise Population Health Integrated Care Management is now providing symptom monitoring support for all COVID-19 positive patients who are tested and/or seen in an Advocate Aurora medical group office, urgent/immediate/Walgreens clinic, ED or discharged from our hospitals. Learn more.
Oral antivirals for ambulatory COVID-19 treatment: There are two, oral antivirals that have been granted EUAs by the FDA for the treatment of COVID-19 in non-hospitalized patients with mild to moderate COVID-19 who are at high risk of progressing to severe disease: Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir co-packaged with ritonavir) and molnupiravir. These medications are NOT indicated for patients who are not at high risk of progressing to severe disease. These medications are stocked in retail pharmacies. The WI DHS Portal and HealthData.gov Portal show which pharmacies will be receiving stock of these medications, but real-time availability is not available on these web sites. It’s best to call the pharmacy to ensure the drug is in stock. Review a brief summary on these medications and prescribing guidance.
Monoclonal Antibody Infusions - Sotrovimab: Sotrovimab infusions have started at some Advocate Aurora infusion sites, though supply is still extremely limited. The Scarce Resource Allocation Team meets twice a week to review Sotrovimab supply and demand in order to re-distribute Sotrovimab supply across our infusion centers in an ethical manner. Review thisupdated SBAR for patient eligibility criteria and ordering guidelines. Given the significant patient interest in monoclonal antibody treatments, we developed this handout to support our teams in educating patients about eligibility and limited access. As a reminder, we are no longer providing Bamlanivimab/Etesevimab or Casirivimab/Imdevimab infusions, as they are not effective against the Omicron variant.
Outpatient Remdesivir: CMS has expanded reimbursement for Remdesivir to cover treatments administered in the outpatient setting; it was previously approved only for inpatient administration and reimbursement. Pharmacy, operations and medical staff leadership are looking to identify a primary outpatient remdesivir infusion site in both IL and WI by end of week and will communicate scheduling and referral process at that time.
Evusheld: This monoclonal antibody combination has an EUA for SARS-CoV-2 pre-exposure prophylaxis among immunocompromised patients unlikely to mount a sufficient SARS-CoV-2 vaccine response or those ineligible to receive a SARS-CoV-2 vaccine. We recognize there is substantial physician and patient demand for this product. Currently Evusheld supplies remain limited and we are working on an operational plan to administer. We will communicate when we have an ethical framework for Evusheld allocation within Advocate Aurora.
Updated vaccine booster guidelines: The CDC has made the following amendments to their vaccine guidance. Individuals can schedule booster appointments via LiveWell,aah.org/vaccine or 866-443-2584. Parents/guardians require proxy access to schedule for children via LiveWell.
Booster doses are now available 5 months after the completion of Moderna or Pfizer primary series.
Pfizer booster is available for all 12 to 17 age group.
Pfizer additional dose is available for immunocompromised 5 to 11 age group.
COVID-19 positive patient notifications: To help reduce disruptions and streamline processes, COVID-19 positive results for inpatients and emergency patients will only be reported in Epic. Physicians/APCs will no longer receive a phone call notification.
Virtual health reimbursement coverage: Refer to the payer overview and summaryoutlining the latest virtual health insurance coverage changes.
2022 program overview:Check out what you need to know.
Advocate Aurora Physicians Recognized as Top Doctors
The January issue of Chicago magazine recognizes physicians across Chicagoland who were nominated by their peers in its annual Top Doctors list. Congrats to the Advocate Aurora doctorswho were recognized.
We’re also running a multi-media campaign honoring all of our doctors across the system, highlighting their expertise and dedication to helping us live well. The campaign aims to help consumers easily find a doctor via our website, LiveWell and by phone.
Chicago magazine also featured medical group neurosurgeon Demetrius Lopes, MD, Surgical Director of the Comprehensive Stroke Program in Illinois, discussing how COVID-19 has affected stroke care and the advancements that have been made despite the pandemic. Check out the interview.
Supporting Your Practice
Cryoprecipitate severe shortage: Our blood supply partner, American Red Cross has notified us that we are currently experiencing a severe shortage of cryoprecipitate and for the foreseeable future. The Advocate Aurora Transfusion Safety Committee recommends prescribing fibrinogen concentrate as a substitute for cryoprecipitate in patients with or at risk for fibrinogen deficiency , i.e., cardiac surgery patients, cirrhotic patients, trauma victims, or obstetrics patients with maternal hemorrhage. For further details and ways to conserve cryoprecipitate view the SBAR.
Blood drives: During the month of January, we’re hosting blood drives across the system in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day and to ensure an adequate and continuous blood supply throughout our communities. Learn more and sign up to donate.
Pager status changes: If you use our paging system, be advised that the menu for updating your pager status will change effective Jan. 18 at 5:30 a.m. as part of an upgrade to the paging system. Status changes made using the dial-up system will not be available from 11 p.m. on Jan. 17 through 5:30 a.m. on Jan. 18. The upgrade supports the high reliability of critical communications through standardization and ensures HIPPA compliance. Read more.
Pharmacy and Therapeutics December updates: Review the Advocate Aurora Pharmacy and Therapeutics ambulatory and system committees decisions including expansion of Smoflipid when supply returns to normal and the addition of dostarlimab (Jemperli) for outpatient administration. Read summary.
