Testing Update, Closed Chart Request, #MaskUpNova

Inova has partnered with Mayo Clinic Laboratories to perform COVID-19 testing for the following patient populations:

Emergency Department discharges
Ambulatory non pre-procedural patients at Inova Respiratory Illness Clinics, Inova Urgent Care Centers and Inova Primary Care.

The Mayo test is also being performed for Inova Loudoun Nursing and Rehabilitation Center patients and staff.
Expected turnaround time (TAT) from Mayo is 72 hours.
There is no associated workflow change required by ordering providers because the COVID-19 order panel and preferences now default to the Mayo test (LAB15129) for the populations listed above.
Inova Central Labs will continue to conduct COVID-19 testing for pre-procedural patients, Inova team members and first responders (in Epic, Lab ICL LAB14700) with an expected TAT of up to 48 hours.

Repeat COVID-19 Tests

To ensure the safety of our team members, patients and community, Inova follows guidance from the CDC and WHO on appropriate COVID-19 testing. As good stewards of our testing capacity, we’re reminding all ordering providers of the following guidelines around repeat tests:

Previous COVID-19 positive patients:

90 days – In general, repeat tests are not warranted within 90 days of positive result in patients without new symptom onset.

The data demonstrate that positive retest results within 90 days in patients without new symptom onset likely reflects noninfectious viral remnants.
These “left-over” viral particles have not been found to transmit infection after 10 days from symptom onset.

Exclusions – Repeat tests for positive patients within 90 days are appropriate in the following scenarios:

Extended Care Facility (ECF) placement
Select immunocompromised patients

Previous COVID-19 negative patients:

Inpatients – Only repeat testing if there is new symptom onset in previously asymptomatic patients, or if there is ongoing clinical suspicion.
Outpatient serial procedures – Repeat testing sooner than every 14 days is not warranted unless new symptom onset.

For further guidance, refer to the COVID-19 Testing FAQ under Resources for Patient Care at www.inova.org/tmcovid19.

Region’s Health Systems Launch “Mask Up” Campaign

Inova has teamed up with area health systems HCA Virginia, Novant Health, UVA and Virginia Hospital Center to promote #MaskUpNOVA.
The public service campaign, featuring print, digital and social media messages in English and Spanish, encourages the public to wear face masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and support the health of our communities.
As part of this special collaboration, Inova encourages team members to share the “Mask Up for Safety” message on social media and in our communities.

Tell Us: What Matters Most to Our Patients to Improve Their Care Experience?

To deliver world-class care, it's important that all care team members know and honor what matters most to our patients. What are their wishes, their expectations and the goals for their healthcare?

Inova is embarking on a project to improve how we do this as a system. Our first step is to query care team members to determine your current knowledge and comfort in discussing with patients their primary healthcare goals and expectations, including what's most important. Your answers will help us determine how to best support you as we work to improve the patient experience in all care settings.

Please complete this brief survey based on your care team role. The survey will remain open through Sept. 4.

Inova in the News

ABC Nightline checked in with one of Inova’s first COVID-19 patients, Titou Phommachanh, to find out how his recovery is going. Read more »

Inova is partnering with the Virginia Department of Health to conduct a pediatric serology study. Read more »

Dr. Jones talks to ABC 7 News about the importance (and safety) of giving blood during the pandemic. Read more »

Fairfax Fire & Rescue Superheroes surprised kids at ICH by rappelling down the side of the building. Read more »

‘Close Chart Request’ Promotes Safety – Effective Monday, Aug. 24, you may begin receiving Close Chart Requests in Epic when Inova Registration needs to arrive a patient whose chart you have open. This new feature promotes patient safety by allowing timelier access for registration, which will ensure a timelier start to treatment. Please note:

If you receive a Close Chart Request message, please save your work and select Close Chart within one minute. Selecting Do Not Close or Snooze will delay registration and affect your patient’s access to timely care.
A countdown timer will display and automatically close the chart if you do not make a selection.

Close Chart Requests cannot be sent for chart access on patients who have already been admitted.

Modeling Safe@Inova: Seeing It and Feeling It

Safety has taken on a new meaning since the COVID-19 pandemic. To be safe today, we must see it and, most importantly, feel it. Thanks to your commitment to Inova’s culture of safety and our comprehensive Safe@Inova care program, our patients are definitely seeing it and feeling it:

“Dear Inova Radiology Hotline,

Today, I am writing to share my amazing experience. I need to congratulate you because the person who is cleaning and opening the main door is doing a great job. Keeping everything so clean including the chairs made feel very safe. What a great protocol you have in place.”

Kudos to the radiology team at Inova Alexandria Hospital for being models of Safe@Inova. You’re making a difference.

Learn more about Inova’s commitment to Safe Locations, Safe Practices, Safe Supplies and Safe Cleaning at inova.org/safety.

COVID-19 Research

Two members of the Infectious Disease section at Inova Fairfax Medical Campus are involved in the development of two anticipated interventions to address the COVID-19 pandemic:

Monoclonal Antibody Study – David Wheeler, MD, is the site principal investigator for a study evaluating the use of Lilly Pharmaceutical’s monoclonal antibody, targeting the spike protein of the virus. Symptomatic, infected outpatients who do not require supplemental oxygen are offered a one-hour infusion of the antibody within three days of their first positive test. Enrollment is ongoing and clinicians are encouraged to make the referrals at the time of diagnosis.

Modified mRNA Vaccine – Don Poretz, MD, is the site principal investigator for the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, a modified mRNA vaccine, which is administered to healthy volunteers, including those with an increased risk for becoming infected, such as health workers and first responders. Study start-up is anticipated to begin in early September.

Both studies are being conducted at the CARE-ID research office in 3289 Woodburn, across from the Fairfax Campus. Interested clinicians may contact the site staff at 703-560-4821, at info@careidresearch.com or at www.careidresearch.com.

Team Member Well-Being

Wellness Tip of the Day

Problem Solving: What’s the end goal? Keep the objective in mind to drive you forward. Write it down. Put it somewhere that you look regularly, in your constant line of vision. It’ll help you find solutions and appreciate each baby-step toward your goal.– Behavioral Health

Team Member Well-Being Resources

Inova cares about the well-being of all our team members. As a reminder, the Team Member Well-Being resource is frequently updated with videos, articles and activities to help you and yours manage stress, anxiety and communication. Just added – the virtual workshop “Nurses Week | Pressing Pause: A Bold Approach to Building Resilience, Endurance and Energy.” Check out all the resources available at https://www.inova.org/tmcovid19/tmwellness.