COVID-19 Vaccination in Home Health and Hospice: Barriers to Vaccination and Results From a Home Vaccination Program

Abstract Little is known about vaccination rates in home health and hospice populations. Results draw upon two separate data sources from The Visiting Nurse Association Health Group (VNAHG). Among VNAHG patients surveyed between February 2 and March 1, 202, 24% had received at least one COVID-19 vaccine. Among vaccinated patients, roughly one quarter did not travel to get the vaccine (received inpatient vaccination). They mostly traveled by car (88%), and 70% received help from a family member. Of patients who had not received a vaccine (76%), 81% were pursuing or planning to pursue obtaining a vaccine. Additionally, of those not pursuing a vaccine, 30% indicated it was because they could not get to a vaccine site. 44% of patients in the VNAHG “in home” vaccination pilot were bedbound, and 100% of patients had ambulation difficulties that make it impossible for them to leave home. All (100%) had a health care provider(s) recommended they get the vaccine. Only 38% have internet access. A quarter tried to call to schedule a vaccine, but only one was able to speak to someone. 40% of the patients attempted to get a COVID-19 vaccine prior to enrollment in the program. Most patients (81%) did not have someone available to assist with their transportation to get vaccinated, and most indicated difficulty securing an appointment. Many indicated severe traveling difficulties (requiring oxygen, needing ambulance transport). These findings highlight the high barriers for homebound patients, and the need and value of clinicians traveling to provide in-home vaccines.

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Terapia Ocupacional e Telessaúde em tempos de COVID-19/ Occupational Therapy and telessaúde in Covid-19 times

Revista Interinstitucional Brasileira de Terapia Ocupacional - REVISBRATO ◽

10.47222/2526-3544.rbto36001 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (6) ◽

pp. 1013-1022

Author(s):

José Júnior Bezerra da Silva ◽

Angela Cristina Bulhões Do Nascimento

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Occupational Therapy ◽

Family Member ◽

Health Care Provider ◽

Care Provider ◽

Health Professionals ◽

Call Center ◽

Occupational Therapists ◽

Therapeutic Practice ◽

Palabras Clave

A pandemia da COVID-19 trouxe consigo mudanças na sociedade, de forma que a população foi afetada. Como estratégia para minimizar os possíveis impactos aos usuários, foi orientado o uso do teleatendimento por profissionais da saúde. Os terapeutas ocupacionais podem utilizar a Telessaúde para avaliar, intervir, monitorar, supervisionar e realizar consultoria entre o terapeuta ocupacional, cliente, familiar, cuidador, e instituição prestadora de serviços de saúde. A partir desta nova realidade, este estudo propõe-se a refletir sobre o teleatendimento em Terapia Ocupacional e apontar novas possibilidades na prática terapêutico-ocupacional em tempos de COVID-19.Palavras-chave: Coronavírus; Terapia Ocupacional; Telessaúde; Pandemia. Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic brought about changes in society, so that the population was affected. As a strategy to minimize possible impacts to users, the use of call centers by health professionals was guided. Occupational therapists can use Telehealth to assess, intervene, monitor, supervise and make consult between the occupational therapist, client, family member, caregiver, and health care provider. Based on this new reality, this study aims to reflect on the call center in Occupational Therapy and to point out new possibilities in occupational therapeutic practice in times of COVID-19.Keywords: Coronavirus; Occupational therapy; Telehealth; Pandemic.Resumen: La pandemia de COVID-19 provocó cambios en la sociedad, por lo que una población se vio afectada. Como estrategia para minimizar los posibles impactos a los usuarios, se orientó el uso de los call center de los profesionales de la salud. Los terapeutas ocupacionales pueden usar Telesalud para evaluar, intervenir, monitorear, supervisar y consultar entre el terapeuta ocupacional, el cliente, el miembro de la familia, el cuidador y el proveedor de atención médica. A partir de esta realidad, este estudio propone reflexionar sobre el call center en Terapia Ocupacional y señalar nuevas posibilidades en la práctica terapêutica ocupaiconal en tiempos de COVID-19. Palabras clave: Coronavirus; Terapia ocupacional; Telesalud; Pandemia.

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