November 8, 2021
Incident Command 206: Capacity Management Update
Plus, Re-testing After Positive and Antibody Testing
Update on Capacity Management
Capacity Management is a multidisciplinary team established within the Incident Command structure to optimize staffing and resources to care for our patients and residents. Over the past few weeks, the team has implemented a number of strategies to pair available resources with needs across our organization. Through coordination and collaboration, the Capacity Management team is effectively flexing staffing resources and expertise to address patient and resident needs.This coordination is possible because of the dedication, willingness, adaptability and courage our CentraCare employees display day after day by raising their hand to jump in where we need them most.
- This week, the Capacity Management team asked leaders to designate clinical employees who will pause what they are doing and work for a few weeks in a new capacity within our long-term care facilities. In one morning, we had enough employees volunteer for these short-term reassignments that we are able to provide the stability and consistency needed to address our immediate long-term care staffing needs. This short-term reallocation demonstrates the power of teamwork, your dedication to our purpose, and our ability to care for patients and residents as One CentraCare.
- In addition, more than 1,700 employees have registered to pick up shifts in the Labor Pool and through Leadership in Action. We continue to prioritize staffing in our long-term and acute care settings. Please consider filling out a Labor Pool Intake Form; we are especially in need of individuals with clinical licenses who can assist with patient and resident care. Employees placed through the Labor Pool may be eligible for scheduling incentives and will receive training and support to help ensure they feel comfortable, welcome, and appreciated in their new assignments.
- Our primary care clinics have expanded same-day appointments to help provide access to appropriate level care for patients who need to be seen quickly. Same-day appointments provide patients with timely care options and can help alleviate some of the pressure our Emergency Departments experience with high patient numbers.
- We continue to monitor and prioritize outpatient surgical admit schedules to ensure we have the right staff to care for patients in our surgical and inpatient units. We are experiencing relief thanks to these efforts and will reevaluate weekly.
- To help decompress inpatient units, Home Health and Care Management are reviewing patients who are ready to be discharged from St. Cloud Hospital and may be waiting for skilled nursing facility placement. With support from our Home Health team, some of these patients may be able to return to their homes and loved ones to recover. Patients appropriate for discharge with Home Health support are identified to the attending provider, and Home Health helps prepare patients and their families for what to expect during their recovery journey at home.
Thank you for being curious and open to change, for working together as One CentraCare and for your commitment to the health of our patients and residents.
Re-Testing Following Positive Test Results
People who have tested positive for COVID-19 in the last three months and have been in close contact with someone with COVID-19 do not need to get tested as long as they do not develop symptoms again. If they develop symptoms, they should get tested.
Tests can remain positive for several weeks after an initial infection and after patients are no longer considered contagious. People who develop symptoms again within three months of their first bout of COVID-19 may need to be tested again if there is no other cause identified for their symptoms.
If you have questions concerning the need for repeat COVID-19 testing, consult with your health care provider.
Antibody Testing
Question: Is the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID) IgG antibody test available at CentraCare affected by the COVID-19 vaccine?
Answer: No. The COVID-19 antibody test available at CentraCare and Carris Health assesses an antibody response to the nucleocapsid protein. The COVID-19 vaccine induces a response to the spike protein and therefore, will not affect the results of the antibody test. The COVID-19 antibody test available will only assess an antibody response to a COVID-19 infection.
Question: Can antibody tests be used to assess the immune system response to the COVID-19 vaccination?
Answer: At this time, the assessment of immunity status following vaccination by antibody testing is not recommended. Although some antibody tests are able to detect antibodies to the spike protein, there is currently no published data to guide antibody test interpretation or to guide further clinical action/follow up. There may be variables outside of antibody development that also factor into immunity. We will continue to review clinical research data as it becomes available and will update recommendations as appropriate.