Government Leaders Update
from the Health Facilities Association of Maryland
Remember that time when not taking the vaccine cost you $1.6 million or the time that taking it won you $400k?
Professional golfer Jon Rahm was in the zone playing in the PGA Memorial Tournament last Saturday. He was hitting the ball long, straight, scrambling to get out of trouble, and making birdies. As he strove off the 18th green, he had a six-stroke lead and was well on his way to a win. As a non-vaccinated player, he was subject to contact tracing protocols as he had come in close contact with a person who was COVID positive. While Rahm was on the golf course Saturday, his latest test came back positive. Rahm was forced to withdraw from the tournament. Had he gotten the vaccine when it was available in his home state of Arizona in March, the outcome could have been much different. We will never know because he did not take the vaccine. We do know he did not win the trophy or the $1.6 million. Click here for the article.
It's also pretty cool that here in Maryland, the Governor announced that Maryland residents 18 and older who received a COVID-19 vaccination in Maryland are eligible to win $40k each day between May 25 and July 3 and that one winner will win a $400,000 grand prize on the Fourth of July. And, we don’t even have to hit a golf ball!
Pushing aside the lightheartedness, we know perhaps better than any other community that taking or not taking the COVID-19 vaccine has consequences. With the vaccines and our clinical learnings over the last year and a half, COVID-19 cases and deaths are down, outbreaks in long-term care settings are down, general public mask mandates are gone, sports, summer camps, travel, and indoor dining are all returning to normal. But until we increase vaccination rates, both generally and in our sector, COVID-19 will continue to have a foothold, outbreaks will continue, and some deaths will continue to occur. Taking the COVID-19 vaccine is still the most significant and tangible action any of us can take to save a life and return to normalcy.
A personal story: When my 12-year-old son knew he could get the vaccine, he was super excited. Here's what he said, "Daddy, the first thing I am going to do is to have you drive me to grandma's to hug her. It's been over a year, and that's too long."
Finally, I want to offer my highest commendation, appreciation, and respect to the healthcare heroes and leaders of SavaSeniorCare Administrative and Consulting LLC., who will require all team members to be vaccinated by July 31, 2021. I look for more leading organizations in healthcare, hospitals, skilled nursing and rehabilitation centers, and assisted living campuses to require team members to be vaccinated or to file for isolated religious or medical exemptions in advance and in writing.
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On June 15, we are offering these two important online events. Feel free to tune in and share.
1.) Strategies to Improve Vaccine Acceptance Among Long Term Care Workers of Color
Join HFAM, LifeSpan, and the Maryland Patient Safety Center on June 15 at 11:00 am ET for a free webinar: “Strategies to Improve Vaccine Acceptance Among Long Term Care Workers of Color.” The COVID-19 pandemic strained our healthcare institutions in unimaginable ways. Long term care communities, characteristically, are at an increased vulnerability and vaccination will play a key role in our ability to respond to surges, protect our residents and employees, and maintain a healthy workforce. In this webinar, Dr. Rochester will present data regarding vaccine acceptance among healthcare workers of color and explore the roots of vaccine hesitancy. Attendees will be introduced to strategies for increasing COVID-19 vaccine acceptance using a methodology centered around empathic communication and employee engagement. Click here to register.
2.) Use of Monoclonal Antibody Therapies for COVID-19
ImmuNet – LTC Providers Encouraged to Register Now
We expect a future Maryland Department of Health order that will REQUIRE skilled nursing and rehabilitation centers to register with ImmuNet and to have freezers onsite so that they can receive direct allocations of the vaccine. With ongoing vaccination efforts, it is more critical than ever that centers register ASAP with ImmuNet. Again, once centers are registered, they can receive vaccines directly. Click here for an ImmuNet registration guide and click here for a vaccine storage requirements FAQ.
Previous HFAM Updates
HFAM has sent 275 updates to members, non-members, partners, and colleagues over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. To see all of our previous update, visit: www.hfam.org/covid-19/
Here are a select few updates we are most proud of:
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Joe DeMattos
President & CEO
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The 2021 HFAM Conference “Together We Re-Imagine” will be held in person October 4 – 7, 2021 at the Maryland Live Hotel and Casino in Hanover, Maryland. Hundreds of long-term care leaders will connect, share best practices and discuss actionable insights on how we can reflect, reform, rebuild, and revolutionize quality care. You and your teams will not want to miss this opportunity as we come together again.
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Thank you to our current sponsors! |
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Want to see previous HFAM updates?
Visit our website to view all previous HFAM alerts, as well as guidance
from our federal and state partners.
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