Nursing Home ECHO
** As of September 1, 2021, we are no longer holding weekly sessions. Stay tuned for future updates from VCU Nursing Home ECHO. **
Welcome to the VCU Health Nursing Home ECHO, a member of the National COVID Action Network, supported by the federal Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), and in collaboration with the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI), and the ECHO Institute.
Network, Participate and Present
- Engage in a collaborative community with your peers.
- Listen, learn, and discuss informational and case presentations in real-time.
- Submit an anonymous case study for feedback from subject matter experts and peer colleagues.
Continuation Phase
We are pleased to announce the Continuation Phase of the Virginia Commonwealth University COVID Action Network ECHO, beginning late April 2021. These new sessions are opportunities for continued collaboration between VCU and Virginia nursing homes. Content will include late-breaking COVID updates, deep-dives into complex, challenging issues such as post-vaccine management, staff support, and acquisition of vital, more advanced QAPI skills to produce effective plans. You can view the AHRQ's FAQ sheet for further details from ECHO.
Sessions will offer:
- Free Continuing Education credits
- QAPI skill building
- Flexible Attendance: Attend as many sessions as you can
- Networking and collaborative problem solving with peers
Program Goals:
- Provide safe and appropriate care to residents with mild and asymptomatic cases of SARS-CoV-2.
- Ensure staff have the knowledge, skills, and confidence to implement best-practice safety measures to protect residents and themselves.
- Reduce social isolation for residents, families, and staff during these difficult times
Continuation Sessions
We heard — and we listened. We will continue to be there for you. For this new round of cohort sessions, we are using a more flexible format and content focused on what’s happening now in the field. Our 90-minute sessions will break down like this:
- Weekly COVID Synopsis — 5-10 minutes
- Content Refresher — 5-10 minutes
- Breakouts — 40-50 minutes
- Discussion and/or Optional Group Coaching — 30 minutes
Although participation will continue to be free, will be no financial compensation to nursing homes for this next phase. However, participating staff may continue to earn CME credits. In addition, you may count your attendance during this second series of cohort sessions toward the 13-session attendance requirement from the first phase, if you need to.