Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Avera eCARE^® is here to be a resource for our partners as news of the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) continues.

Telehealth is poised as a solution to assist with early identification, isolation protocols and support during outbreaks.

Stay Informed

These resources provide information on using our technology and guidelines for treating COVID-19.

• Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) tools
• AveraNow Platform Training Session
• CARES Act Information
• Communicating on camera best practices
• COVID19 Drill–Mock Scenario
• COVID-19 Update 3/27/2020
• Oxygen Cannulas
• Panel Q & A with Katie DeJong, DO, Emily Hurst, DO and Kelly Rhone, MD 4/7/2020
• Provider Telehealth Training
• Society of Critical Care Medicine guidelines regarding COVID 19 and Sepsis
• State Department of Health Link Resources
• Telehealth Benefits in Medicare
• What People with Asthma Need to Know

New Normal Toolkits Provide Guidance for Business Leaders, Patients

Avera developed a pair of toolkits – one for patients and one for business leaders – to provide guidance on how to navigate our new normal while at work and in our communities.

Both toolkits include PDFs you can print or share electronically.

We also developed a sample email to share these toolkits with your connections.

Coping Skills

• Burnout Basics and Power Tools
• Coping Skills During COVID-19
• Coping with a Disaster or Emotional Event
• Dr. Matthew Stanley - Coping with Stress and Anxiety During COVID-19
• Managing Employee Stress: Avera Medical Minute
• Resilience and Critical Response by Mary Wolf
• Staying Resilient and Flexible During Days of Isolation

Cleaning Instructions

Follow these guidelines to ensure your equipment is properly sterilized.

• Polycom Equipment
• Polycom Equipment on Mobile Cart
• TytoCare Platform

PPE Conservation

Due to worldwide shortage of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) during the COVID-19 pandemic, the allocation of PPE continues to be reduced. As good stewards of resources, all staff are being called upon to conserve PPE to protect the supply as long as possible.

Please review these documents for additional helpful information.

• Recommended PPE
• PPE conservation
• Airborne Respirator and Contact Precautions
• How to Put on Personal Protective Equipment
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Donning and Doffing Procedures

Service-line specific guidelines

ICU

• Preparing for COVID-19 in ICU
• Dr. Ashwin Gopalan, eCARE Intensivist - Q&A - Download

Long-term Care

• CMS Guidelines: COVID-19 Long-Term Care Facility Guidance
• COVID-19 Senior Care Update
• Operators are turning to telehealth to mitigate exposure to COVID-19
• Preparing for COVID-19 in Long-Term Care Communities
• Senior Care Q&A with Dr. Joseph Rees

Pharmacy

• American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) Resource Center
• Prescriptions on COVID-19 Treatment

Emergency

• Airway COVID Checklist
• COVID-19 Intubation Algorithm (from SCCM)

Telehealth Reimbursement Changes

CMS will now pay for more than 80 additional services when furnished via telehealth. This includes expanding telehealth reimbursement for:

• Emergency Department Visits, Levels 1-5
• Observation and Hospital care
• ICU / NICU / PICU care
• Nursing Facility Visits
• Home Visits and Domiciliary / Custodial Care services
• Radiation Treatment Management services

Additionally:

• Medicare beneficiaries can receive telehealth services regardless of where they are located.
• Clinician can provide services to both new and established patients.
• PT/OT/ST practitioners and their services are now approved for e-visits (Medicare) and telehealth (for some commercial payers).
  • The therapist needs to be licensed in the state the patient resides in.
  • Licensing boards may change this in the future.
• Regulatory visits for nursing home residents can be provided via telehealth if appropriate.
• For End Stage Renal Disease patients, “hands on” monthly visit is not required.