COVID-19 UPDATE #159
May 21, 2021
DOH HOSTING VACCINATION SURVEY FOR ASSISTED LIVING AND ADULT FAMILY HOMES
Washington Department of Health (DOH) released a COVID-19 vaccination survey for assisted living facilities and adult family homes and requests your participation. This will only take a few minutes of your time. The information you provide will be used to understand how vaccination rates fluctuate with staffing and resident movement, and to improve support for COVID-19 vaccination when barriers are identified.

If your facility is in King County, you may have already been sent a unique survey link. Skilled nursing facilities do not have to complete this survey and should report COVID-19 vaccination data to the National Healthcare Safety Network as per CMS requirement.

If you have questions, please email LTC-COVID-Vaccination-Survey@doh.wa.gov using subject line: LTC COVID-19 Vaccination Survey.
COVID-19 WEBINARS AVAILABLE FOR PROVIDERS
The following webinars are available to providers:

NHSN Vaccine Module Training | Hosted by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Tuesday, May 25, at 12:30 PM PST | Register

Monoclonal Antibodies Facebook Live | Hosted by National Institute of Health
Wednesday, May 26, at 7 AM PST | Access the Live Event

NHSN Vaccine Module Training | Hosted by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Thursday, May 27, at 12:30 PM PST | Register
DEAR ADMINISTRATOR LETTER SHARES INFORMATION ON BYD RESPIRATORS WITH ALL PROVIDERS
In a Dear Administrator letter dated May 14, 2021, all providers are notified the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) has learned that NIOSH is investigating a report of loose straps on some BYD DE2322 N95 respirators. NIOSH has not disqualified this mask for use at this time. 

The letter advises providers the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) recommends workers not use the BYD DE2322 respirators that do not include the NIOSH stamp. The NIOSH stamp is located on the outer front of the respirator in block letters, and the letter provides a photo example of the stamp.

The letter instructs providers to take the following required action:
  • Look at your PPE supply.
  • If you find BYD DE2322 respirators, look for the NIOSH stamp.
  • If the NIOSH stamp is not printed on the respirator, do not use while caring for residents/clients with COVID-19.
  • Inspect your respirator before every donning. This includes inspecting the filtering fabric, head straps, staples, and metal nose clip.
  • Before donning, check the elastic straps to ensure they do not slide under the staple. If they do slide, do not adjust these straps and do not use this respirator. Head straps are not adjustable on the BYD, 3M, and other N95 respirators.
  • If the head straps on any N95 respirator are not secured well to the respirator, it is defective. Do not use the respirator and discard it immediately. Use a different respirator with well secured straps.
  • Do not use any PPE that appears defective upon inspection or is not functioning as intended.
  • Report all concerns about PPE/respirator function or fit to your supervisor or field manager.

If providers have questions, they are encouraged to email Katherine Ander, Interim RCS Infection Preventionist, or call her at (360) 742-6037.
THE EMOTIONAL PPE PROJECT
The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) is excited to share information about a free resource for long term care providers, the Emotional PPE Project. This is a volunteer-run organization that provides a public online directory of volunteer licensed mental health clinicians. Any U.S. worker in a health care-related field, including long term care, that is impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic is welcome to directly contact the therapists listed in the directory for teletherapy. There is no cost, no insurance required, and is completely confidential. Resources to promote this program to staff are available on the AHCA/NCAL website at the bottom of the page under “Workforce.” 

Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, symptoms of psychological unwellness have increased three-fold for the U.S. population at large. This increase in symptoms is even more pronounced in health care professionals, including those working in skilled nursing facilities and assisted living centers. Multiple barriers exist for health care workers to get mental health assistance, including financial resources, lack of time, and concerns for professional and personal consequences. The Emotional PPE Project lifts these barriers by facilitating no cost, no insurance, and confidential therapy sessions with licensed therapists for health care workers impacted by COVID-19. 

Frequently asked questions and accompanying answers are available on the Emotional PPE Project website​.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
WHCA continues to post resources and information as it becomes available on our website. If you have questions or need additional information, please call the WHCA office at (800) 562-6170.