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One letter and two numbers have never meant so much to so many, in so short a time. That’s because the letter and numbers are N95. Why is this item of personal protection equipment (PPE) so essential? What is the story behind PPE supplies? Learn about the complexities of the supply chain; how Kaiser Permanente is sourcing and managing PPE during this critical time; and what KPSC is doing to ensure that our future PPE needs are met. This interesting article take a deep dive into this important topic ^[2].

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The sounds of blaring sirens and spinning helicopter rotors, and the sights of flashing lights and multiple emergency vehicles would surely garner attention. And that’s the point. “Hero-to-Hero” appreciation events, in which first responders and front-line health care providers show their mutual support, have rolled to every Kaiser Permanente Southern California medical center and flown over many.

These first responder caravans roll through city streets as neighbors wave in gratitude, and on to KPSC hospitals,  where hey are greeted by crowds of KPSC employees and physicians, awed by the inspiring expressions of gratitude and recognition – and sending it right back. The resulting ripple effect of support raises all our spirits, and further roots us in our united dedication to care for the people of our communities. Read the rest of the story here ^[4].

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Julie Miller-Phipps, president, Kaiser Permanente Southern California, Health Plan and Hospitals, presents her view of KP’s effective response to the COVID-19 crisis in an extensive Q & A article appearing in the Los Angeles Business Journal. The article, entitled “A View From The Pandemic’s Front Lines,” ran in the journal’s special healthcare issue. In it, Miller-Phipps addresses other topics related to the pandemic as well as issues affecting the healthcare industry as a whole. Miller-Phipps co-leads Kaiser Permanente’s expansive response to the coronavirus crisis in Southern California along with Ed Ellison, MD, executive medical director and chairman of the board, Southern California Permanente Medical Group. She takes a look back and a look forward in this interesting read. View it here ^[6].

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“Things won are done, joy’s soul lies in the doing.”
– William Shakespeare, Troilus and Cressida

“Joy is in the doing” is not an uncommon philosophy among those who choose a career in health care. It is certainly the belief of a Kaiser Permanente Southern California physician and nurse who did what so many KP people have done during the COVID-19 crisis: go to where the need is greatest.

For Diego Covarrubias, MD, and Michael Krider, RN, the need was not just great – it was Shakespearean in scope: when it was clear that the worst of COVID-19 was descending on New York City, Covarrubias, a lieutenant commander in the US Navy Reserve, and Krider a captain in the US Air Force Reserve, did not hesitate. Both volunteered and were in the city within days. Their stories are here. ^[9]

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Johaira Michelle didn’t ask to be a “hero”, but she’s been one to her patients and fellow nurses.

Caring for new families during this pandemic has been a meaningful experience for Johaira Michelle Dilauro, RN, BSN CLE, who works in labor and delivery, post-partum, and the NICU at West Los Angeles Medical Center. She has used her warmth and empathy to create a compassionate care experience for her patients, including a COVID-19 positive mother. She has worked tirelessly to care for new families, and in the process, championed efforts to secure more masks and face shields for her hospital, to ensure her team and others helping patients with COVID-19 received the proper protection they need to continue fighting this global pandemic. We are proud to call Johaira Michelle Dilauro a “hero” for all she does to support her team while providing extraordinary care for mothers, newborns and new families at a most unprecedented time.  Even LAFC ^[14] star Adama “Dio” Diomande agrees, as his photo shows. See his special thank you tweet to Johaira  here. ^[15]

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For almost 20 years, nursing has been named one of the most trusted professions in an annual Gallup poll and these examples explain why. Our nurses understand their job choice is more than a career – it’s a calling, and this global pandemic has made that crystal clear. Because there are so many nurses to recognize, we urge everyone to view the collection of stories that will be posted on Inside KP Southern California throughout the month of May.

During this historic year, we invite the people of Kaiser Permanente to join us in appreciating and thanking our nurses all year long. In the coming days you’ll learn more about your facility’s or area’s activities to recognize these heroes. Our nurses are part of the brain trust and the heart powering the care we deliver every day.

We thank you – our treasured nurses – our leaders, clinicians, researchers, innovators, scientists, and care givers, who are also courageous heroes with the ability to perform under pressure and provide the ultimate calling: true, selfless, compassionate care.

Please join us in thanking our nurses this and every month. Julie and Ed

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A look at where we’re at, and where we’re going

In the United States, as in many parts of the world, the novel coronavirus pandemic continues to evolve. As cases of COVID-19 rise in some areas, the rate of new infections is starting to flatten. “While we believe that, in many places, the stay-at-home orders and social distancing requirements have helped to flatten the curve of this pandemic, we are not yet out of the woods,” said David Witt, MD, national infectious disease leader at Kaiser Permanente. Dr. Witt continues to recommend a cautious and calm approach as national, state, and local agencies begin to plan for reopening. Learn about Kaiser Permanente’s response here.  ^[18]

Newly updated national mask guidelines were released on 5/1/20, based on the expert consensus of the Kaiser Permanente Inter-Regional Infectious Disease leaders. The guidelines continue to be based on droplet precautions. The coronavirus is generally transmitted when someone touches surfaces onto which infected people have dispersed their droplets through their touch, coughs, or sneezes. The guidelines contain 5 mask categories: N95 Masks or PAPR/CAPR; Surgical Masks; Isolation/Procedure Masks; KP-issued “Cover Your Cough Masks; and Personal Masks from home (for patients and visitors).  For more details, see the attached chart ^[19].

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On most days, Beong Kim mans a busy workload, juggling non-stop calls and meetings, reviewing complex documents, and advising on intricate legal matters in his capacity as vice president, assistant general counsel at Kaiser Permanente. It’s not what anyone would describe as soothing, and there’s certainly no time for escapism. But every so often, that’s just what he and his wife Bonnie Wongtrakool bring to their Pasadena neighborhood, through their increasingly-popular “porch concerts.” Read how they are bringing a bit of harmony to these dissonant times. ^[21]

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25 Kaiser Permanente hospitals – including 11 in Southern California – are among the nation’s safest at which to receive care, according to the Leapfrog Group’s latest Hospital Safety Grades report.

While nearly two-thirds of Kaiser Permanente’s hospitals are rated A, less than one-third of the nation’s 2,600 hospitals that participated in the study received an A rating. The report utilizes hospital performance data collected by organizations like the CDC and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Scores are based on more than 2 dozen measures related to patient care, medication errors, and infection prevention and released to help people make informed health care decisions. More at Leapfrog ^[23].

Access to reliable antibody tests regarding immune status and making these tests available to a large number of Americans is a high priority for Kaiser Permanente and the nation. Many companies are working to develop and provide antibody tests and are moving through the Federal Drug Administrative (FDA) review process.  Several have already been approved by the FDA through its expedited emergency review process.

Production of approved tests is increasing rapidly and availability should improve over the coming weeks.  However, there are still questions about the accuracy and validity of the antibody tests, how they should be used and how results should be interpreted. Because these tests are in the early stages of review, there is a reasonable concern regarding false positive test results and misinterpretation of information by the general public. Inaccurate diagnoses during a pandemic can impair prevention efforts and delay appropriate treatment for sick patients.

We will continue to follow the guidance of Federal and State medical and public health experts, in addition to our own infectious disease medical experts. We are making every effort to develop the capacity to provide the tests to members, where appropriate, as soon as fully vetted and approved tests are available. (Updated 4/27/20)

Based on limited information, the CDC says the coronavirus can spread from people to animals in some situations, but it’s unlikely. They are aware of a small number of pets, including cats and dogs, reported to be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19, mostly after close contact with people with COVID-19. As for the other direction (animals spreading COVID-19 to people), the risk is considered to be low. What to do?  Treat pets as you would other human family members – no interaction with people or animals outside the household. If a household member becomes sick, isolate them from everyone else, including pets. Source: CDC ^[24].

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One recent story has broken through the persistent coronavirus news: the NFL draft. During the much-lauded, three-day event, 32 teams chose 255 players, with live-streaming and primetime network coverage. Some welcomed the diversion; others took no notice. After all, it ostensibly bears little relationship to our lives, at home or at KP.

Or does it? Some parallels are as clear as the uprights from 10 yards out. Consider these NFL:KP comparisons… ^[26]

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It’s your constitutional right to be counted! Every year, billions of dollars in federal funding go to hospitals, fire departments, schools, roads, libraries, school lunches, services for and older adults, and other resources. The 2020 Census data will help inform how those dollars are distributed in your community for the next 10 years, and how many congressional representatives California gets. The U.S. Census Bureau is bound by law to keep your answers strictly confidential. It’s not too late to respond to the 2020 Census while being safe at home. Shape your future. Visit my2020census.gov ^[28].