COVID-19 vaccine mandate, operational response highlighted at conference

Editor's Note

In a hot topic program, mandatory COVID-19 vaccination requirements, potential exemptions, development, and policy implementation will be examined. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is mandating COVID-19 vaccination for healthcare workers, including contractors and support staff. After this presentation, attendees will better understand what the mandate requires of their organizations. Presenter Beverly Kirchner, BSN, RN, CNOR, CNAMB, Compliance Officer of SurgeryDirect, will provide attendees with a sample policy, procedure, and references to help them develop their own protocols and implement a strategic plan to comply with CMS.

In addition to the above breakout session, check out the following posters covering various responses to the ongoing pandemic; official time for poster presentations will be Thursday, October 21, from 11 am to 5:00 pm:

• "Inpatient/Outpatient Movement Coordination in Surgical Services: A COVID-19 Pandemic Response to Mitigate Risk," by William Necessary, RN, Assistant Nurse Manager Surgical Services, Wellstar Spalding Regional
• "Postanesthesia Response Unit: Development of an ICU within a Postanesthesia Care Unit," by Molly Rogers, BSN, RN, CRN, CCRN, CPAN, and Samantha Dandrea, BSN, RN, Assistant Nurse Managers at University of Rochester
• "Regional Specialty Surgical Practice Efficiencies Gained as a Result of COVID-19," by Carie Martin, MHA, Vice Chair of Administration Surgical and Procedural Services, Mayo Clinic Health System
• "UF Health Jacksonville COVID-19 Perioperative Reactive Care Model (PRMC)," by Rebecca Nordness, MSN, RN, CNOR, OR Nurse Manager, UF Health Jacksonville.