Huddle Sheet

TODAY’S COVID-19 INFORMATION
NEW: Epidemiology Data and Notes

NEW: Denver Health Staff Vaccination Numbers

NEW: Vaccination Guidelines for Inpatients Who Meet State Guidelines

NEW: Updated Staff and Patient FAQs

REMINDER: Governor Polis Modifies COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Guidance Starting 2/4

REMINDER: Vaccine Interest Registration Now Open

REMINDER: Use of Face Shields Required for COVID-19 Patient Care Only

What You Need to Know

As of 6:30 a.m. today, Denver Health had 19 inpatient COVID-19 cases (-7 vs yesterday).

For more information, visit the Denver Public Health COVID-19 Data Summary (use Edge or Chrome). The website is updated daily and contains data on cases, hospitalization, deaths, testing and symptoms.

NEW: Denver Health Staff Vaccination Numbers

These vaccination numbers were updated at 3:00 p.m. today.

6,387 employees and residents have received their first dose of vaccine.
4,608 employees and residents have received their second dose of vaccine.
386 employees and residents have active MyChart accounts and scheduling tickets, but have not scheduled a first dose yet.

NEW: Vaccination Guidelines for Inpatients Who Meet State Guidelines Starting Feb. 4

Starting tomorrow, Thursday, February 4, 2021 we are pleased to start offering COVID-19 vaccination for select inpatients who meet the state’s vaccination criteria.

Inclusion criteria will include inpatients who fulfill at least one of the following criteria:

70 years and older (65+ will begin on Feb. 8)
discharging to a long-term care facility or skilled nursing facility
healthcare workers or first responders, as identified by history
long term care facility residents

Exclusion criteria:

previously received COVID-19 vaccine
received another vaccination in the past 2 weeks
ICU and/or PCU status
fever >=38.5 degrees in the past 48 hours
active COVID-19 infection
prisoners or incarcerated individuals, as there is currently no mechanism for them to receive a second vaccine
inability to provide informed consent
survival of <30 days expected

We will not waste vaccine doses. To this effort, the following practices will be strictly implemented. As the number of patients eligible for vaccine increases, we will likely change these practices in the future. For now:

Vaccine will be provided on Mondays and Thursdays to ensure that we have sufficient patients to complete a full vial of vaccine. Number of doses administered per vaccine day will be limited to 11 doses to start. This will likely ramp up over time.
Vaccine must be ordered prior to 1pm on Monday or Thursday for patients to be considered for vaccine.
Vaccine should not be promised to patients. We recommend providers use the following scripting: “We are offering COVID-19 vaccine to some inpatients. Are you interested in this vaccine? We will try our hardest to get your first vaccination while in the hospital. If the timing does not work out, then we will be sure to make an appointment for you for an outpatient vaccination.”
Order set appears when searching by “COVID.” This produces both an order for the first inpatient COVID vaccine dose and the second outpatient COVID vaccine dose.
Second dose expectations will be documented on the AVS by the person who administers the vaccine. We will pilot this process using a 4th year pharmacy student who will assist in making the second appointment.

NEW: Updated Staff and Patient FAQs

Please find updated FAQs for both staff and our patients about COVID-19, Vaccinations and other frequently asked questions regarding care at Denver Health. These FAQs have a ton of great information to help guide patients and staff to what current guidance is during the pandemic.

FAQ for Denver Health Staff on COVID-19 Vaccine

FAQ for Patients & General Public COVID-19 Vaccine

FAQ for Patients & General Public COVID-19 Vaccine, Spanish Version

What You Need to Share

REMINDER: Governor Polis Modifies COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Guidance

Beginning February 8, anyone 65 and over will be eligible for vaccination, including those that are 70 and over who have not yet received a vaccine. Denver Health patients will be contacted directly to schedule their vaccine appointment, and non-patients who sign up on the vaccine interest registration form will receive a notification to schedule an appointment as vaccine is available and appointment slots are opened.

Colorado’s PreK-12 educators will also be eligible to receive the vaccine on February 8. Educators should reach out to their employers to sign up for the vaccine. For more information on the updated guidance, please visit https://covid19.colorado.gov/vaccine.

REMINDER: Vaccine Interest Registration Now Open

Denver Health joined other area hospitals in opening up online and phone registration for the COVID-19 vaccine to anyone that meets priority guidelines from the State. The vaccination registration form and hotline are for individuals to indicate interest in receiving a vaccination. Once people are registered, we will contact them to schedule an appointment based on vaccine availability and current priority groups. The online form and hotline are on the Denver Health website.

NOTE: Denver Health patients should not sign up through the COVID-19 Vaccine Interest Registration Form. We continue to reach out to our patients through MyChart, email, phone and our normal processes to schedule appointments when their priority group becomes eligible. Once invitations are sent, patients can still schedule an appointment through MyChart or through the appointment center at 303-436-4949.

REMINDER: Use of Face Shields Required for COVID-19 Patient Care Only. Masks Remain Mandatory for All Staff at Work

As more Denver Health staff get vaccinated and COVID-19 prevalence has decreased in the Community, we are returning to optional use of face shields for staff outside of COVID-19 patient care. All staff working with patients on Special Respiratory Isolation for COVID-19 are required to continue to use face shields.

Staff members are also reminded that face masks remain required (as applicable to your job), whether or not you have gotten your second vaccine. Face masks and face shields continue to be another line of defense in protecting yourself, your colleagues and your patients. At this time, there is no timeline for when this directive will be lifted.

Helpful Links:

Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment – Vaccine for Coloradans

Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment Coronavirus Information

Denver Department of Public Health and Environment Coronavirus Information

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Coronavirus Information

Denver Public Health Website

Denver Health Visitor Policy

Please email COVID-19@dhha.org with any questions.

Denver Health COVID-19 Resources:

COVID-19 Staff Resources section on our website

Staff Screening and Testing FAQ

Coronavirus Share Point site