**Visit Inova’s COVID-19 Team Member Resource website at inova.org/tmCOVID19 for system-wide guidance on COVID-19. Check back often and visit the “What’s New” section for the latest updates.**
COVID-19 Patient Status
As of Nov. 5, 2020:
4,344 COVID-19+ total inpatient admissions to date
72
COVID-19+ currently hospitalized (down from 76 on Oct. 29)
424 total deaths to date
296 inpatient/ED
128 hospice inpatient
3,996 discharged patients to date
COVID-19 Inpatient/ED Testing Orders
The COVID-19 Testing Panel has been changed to reflect new screening indications including:
Removed reference for testing patients admitted to long-term care facilities.
Testing asymptomatic patients placed in a semi-private room.
Removed rapid testing option for emergent procedures/surgeries in which the result would not influence the decision to move forward or the timing of the procedure/surgery (e.g., appendectomy or
emergent cardiac catheterization for STEMI). Appropriate PPE should be used as if patient is COVID-19+.
Rapid test will be available under “Other” for elective procedures with missed test on day of surgery.
In the updated order panel, providers can select “Symptomatic” or “Asymptomatic” and then choose the appropriate clinical scenario which will display the correct lab.
Gloves are not a substitute for hand hygiene - hand hygiene should be performed on every entry and exit from a patient room, as well as before putting on and after removing gloves.
Gloves should be used when caring for patients on Contact Isolation or interaction with a Contact Isolation patient’s environment.
Take care of your hands – use alcohol-based handrub when appropriate and use approved lotion to
keep skin moisturized and intact.
Final flu vaccination compliance for the system was 99 percent, and an impressive 100 percent of our independent medical staff have been vaccinated. Congratulations to Inova Fair Oaks and Inova Mount Vernon for achieving 100 percent of team member vaccinations.
Check out the final leaderboard standings:
MyChart Teen and Child Proxy Changes
Effective this week, teenage children ages 14 -17 can access their MyChart account with parent/guardian permission. Once established, the teen may grant proxy access to their parent. MyChart Child Proxy, which previously ended at age 11, has been extended through age 13.
Teens will have full access to their record, except for appointment scheduling and completion of questionnaires.
Teens cannot use eCheck-in, request medication refills or complete E-visit questionnaires.
Proxies will not be able to view test results and certain prescribed medications.
All patients must complete the proxy authorization form on paper or via their MyChart account.
New Respiratory Pathogen Panel Option Includes COVID-19 Test
Effective Wednesday, Nov. 11, the Inova Central Laboratory will offer an additional Respiratory Pathogen Panel. Two versions of the Respiratory Pathogen Panel will exist, one with and one without SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19). Both panels are only intended for immunocompromised, critically ill or pediatric patients where identification of pathogens other than influenza would alter management.
The new Respiratory Pathogen Panel includes all targets in the current panel and adds the detection of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) and Bordetella parapertussis.
If Bordetella species are suspected, please order Bordetella specific testing, which has increased sensitivity.
The only acceptable specimen for the new panel is a Nasopharyngeal Swab submitted in Viral Transport Media. BAL
specimens must remain on the current assay, which does not include SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19).
Due to limited supplies and to avoid duplicate testing, the new panel should not be requested if standalone SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) testing has been ordered or previously performed.
Both Respiratory Pathogen Panels are accessed from the “Influenza/Respiratory Specialized Testing Orders” panel, pictured below:
Inova Announces Land Acquisition for Franconia/Springfield Medical Campus Expansion
In preparation for development of a new medical campus in the eastern region, Inova has purchased an additional 12 acres of land adjacent to the Inova HealthPlex – Franconia/Springfield, for a combined total of 21 acres. This campus will enable Inova to more fully meet the growing healthcare needs of this area of Northern Virginia.
Wellness Tip of the Day – Keeping up with the demands of the holidays while maintaining a healthy weight and eating habits can be challenging this time of year, especially when we feel isolated by the pandemic.
Join members of the Inova Medical Weight Loss team for a webinar on how to navigate weight management through the holiday season. Experts will offer guidance on topics including emotional eating, physical activity and a comprehensive approach to weight
management in the current challenging environment.
