The COVID-19 pandemic is very new territory for all of us. The more information we have, the safer we can be.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers guidance on vaccinating home-bound patients, which includes training resources and vaccine handling recommendations, while each state also has its own distribution guidelines that are essential for home health organizations to understand.

Home health administrators need to educate themselves on vaccine best practices and ensure their organization meets the latest standards.

To supplement this effort, use this vaccine administration checklist to protect your organization and provide a well thought out experience for both your patients and your staff.

COVID-19 Vaccine Administration Checklist

1. Have every patient or legal representative sign a specific consent regarding receiving this vaccine. Be very careful with patients having cognitive issues that will require a representative. The organization should consider hiring an attorney to review consents.
2. Thoroughly train staff on the administration and transport of these vaccines. Because this isn’t the typical immunization, proper training is essential. Staff should be aware of which vaccines need to be refrigerated, who is eligible for each vaccine, any allergies that might affect the patient, etc.
3. Create an immunization team that receives detailed training on administering vaccinations. These team members should be the only ones eligible to provide the injections.
4. Develop internal policies for COVID-19 immunizations. What happens if a patient needs to be hospitalized after receiving the vaccine? What if a patient dies as a result? The organization needs to be prepared for multiple outcomes.
5. There are health risks involved, so communication should be a top priority. Follow-up visits, telehealth visits or even phone calls to find out how patients are doing should be standard practice.
6. Patients and their legal representatives have the right to refuse a COVID-19 vaccination. It is the organization’s responsibility to properly educate patients and their families on the facts surrounding each vaccine, but also to prepare communication for any refusals, which should be included in documentation. Keep track of refusals and remind those patients and their representatives on a weekly or monthly basis that the vaccine is still available to them.

The most important tool a home health organization can use in their efforts to vaccinate patients is knowledge. Stay on top of recent vaccine developments and findings, as this will help position your organization as a trusted provider.

Axxess is taking steps to ensure home healthcare organizations protect their patients and staff against COVID-19 by compiling major virus updates and best practices in one location for easy access.