NC CAN COVID-19 Action Network: Project ECHO in North Carolina

Abstract Experts in geriatrics, infection control and nursing home administration joined the ECHO Hub team led by The Carolina Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program (CGWEP) at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC). Ninety-two of North Carolina’s 423 nursing homes enrolled in a 16-week videoconference series designed to address clinical, logistical, and leadership issues related to COVID-19. The CGWEP coordinated recruitment with two other Training Centers at UNC Family Medicine and the Mountain Area Health Education Center, reaching 58% of all NC nursing homes (N=245). Faculty used curriculum and pre-recorded videos provided by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI). Discussions demonstrated real-world problem solving as participants applied what they learned to local conditions. Quality Improvement (QI) experts from IHI mentored participants in gathering data and completing Plan, Do, Study, Act cycles to better respond to the challenges of COVID-19 among a critically vulnerable population.

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Virginia’s Response to the Nursing Home COVID Action Network

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igab046.1899 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 494-494

Author(s):

Anne Rhodes ◽

Shannon Arnette ◽

Dan Bluestein ◽

Emily Ihara ◽

Megumi Inoue ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Nursing Home ◽

Nursing Homes ◽

National Network ◽

Project Echo ◽

Healthcare Improvement ◽

Action Network ◽

And Performance ◽

Virginia Commonwealth University ◽

Home Training ◽

Successes And Challenges

Abstract The Virginia Geriatric Education Center’s GWEP recruited 195 of Virginia's 273 eligible nursing homes, using two Project ECHO Nursing Home Training Centers located at George Mason University and Virginia Commonwealth University. These sessions promoted collaboration, allowed for sharing of successes and challenges, and nurtured quality improvement projects. Our next steps are to survey Virginia’s nursing homes to see if they are interested in future ECHO sessions with other topics. We plan to share these results with the Institute for Healthcare Improvement so that we may be able to continue to enhance this national network of Training Centers with faculty and staffing dedicated to quality assurance and performance improvement. The program has initiated new collaborations with nursing homes across many healthcare disciplines, strengthened connections between nursing homes and research institutions, and will help foster innovative ways to collaborate in this post-pandemic virtually connected world.

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Lessons Learned in Executing the Nursing Home COVID Action Network

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igab046.1895 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 493-494

Author(s):

Samantha Cotton ◽

Pamela Yankeelov ◽

Barbara Gordon ◽

Anna Faul

Keyword(s):

Nursing Home ◽

Nursing Homes ◽

Lessons Learned ◽

Group Discussions ◽

Project Echo ◽

Small Group Discussions ◽

University Of Louisville ◽

Action Network ◽

The University ◽

Opinion Polls

Abstract The University of Louisville ECHO Hub for the Nursing Home COVID Action Network put together a hub of experts that could effectively address the diverse needs of the 240 nursing homes in the 7 cohorts launched. We included an infectious disease expert, a geriatrician, and a behavioral health specialist who adjusted the curriculum to be more in line with the needs of the nursing homes. Our nursing homes were diverse in terms of geography, size and location. We created space for our cohorts to feel comfortable with each other, despite their differences. To foster this sense of togetherness, our facilitators used anonymous opinion polls and incorporated the use of virtual breakout rooms to encourage small group discussions. These strategies assisted in developing a sense of community within the Project ECHO sessions, that will continue to evolve in the post COVID world.

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