The COVID-19 pandemic has forced health care organizations to navigate unprecedented operational and clinical challenges that will reverberate well beyond the recovery phase and an anticipated second wave.

Organizations need to re-evaluate their operations and plans for delivering care in a world fundamentally changed by the pandemic. Leaders must consider their use of telemedicine, infection prevention and control practices, supply chain management and infrastructure changes.

To assist, HCA and HPCANYS are joining together to host this virtual conference livestreamed via Crowdcast. It features experts who will explore strategies and considerations for this new phase of the pandemic and beyond.

9:00AM – 10:00AM

Opening Remarks

Carla Braveman, RN, MEd, CHCE, President and CEO, Hospice & Palliative Care Association of New York State

Al Cardillo, President, Home Care Association of New York State

State and Federal Regulatory Relief for Home Care and Hospice

Carla Braveman, RN, MEd, CHCE, President and CEO, Hospice & Palliative Care Association of New York State

Andrew Koski, Vice President for Program Policy and Services, Home Care Association of New York State

Learn which federal and state rules and regulations have been waived or relaxed during the COVID-19 pandemic and when they are likely to go back into effect.

10:00AM – 10:10AM

AM Break

10:10AM – 11:10AM NO RECORDING/HANDOUT AVALABLE

DOH Emergency Planning Update for Home Care and Hospice Providers

Carol Rodat, Director, Division of Home and Community Based Services, New York State Department of Health – Office of Primary Care and Health Systems Management 

OPCHSM is invited to share DOH’s insights for home care and hospice providers and Managed Long Term Care plans on lessons learned through our collective response to the COVID-19 pandemic. You’ll gain guidance for adapting your agency’s emergency preparedness plans to enhance your capacity to respond to any future waves of COVID-19 and/or other public health emergencies.

11:15AM – 12:00PM

Lessons Learned: Reflections on the Pandemic Response

Jo-Anne Nicholls, RN, Clinical Administrator, Elara Caring

Joyce Palmieri, VP of Clinical Services, Metropolitan Jewish Hospice & Palliative Care

Hear from two unique organizations sharing candid reflections on their emergency response to COVID-19. In this moderated discussion, panelists will share their lessons learned, new or revised policies, procedures and services, and how they are adapting their emergency plan to better prepare for future surges. Attendees will have the opportunity for Q&A to explore the diverse solutions these agencies have employed.

12:00PM – 12:30PM

Lunch Break

12:30PM – 1:45PM

Psychological First Aid: Supporting Others in Managing Stress

Dr. Karla Vermeulen, Deputy Director, Institute for Disaster Mental Health

In this training, psychologist Dr. Karla Vermeulen will provide a brief overview of typical stress reactions as well as a Psychological First Aid (PFA) model to address anxiety and stress within your agency’s workforce, clients, and families. Dr. Vermeulen teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in disaster mental health, grief counseling, and developmental psychology. She is also an author who has produced training curricula for state health and mental health agencies, the American Red Cross, the United Nations, and other organizations.

1:50PM – 2:50PM

Launching, Pivoting, or Expanding a Telehealth Program in Response to a Public Health Emergency

Rich Curry, MS, PT, MBA, VP of Business Development, Health Recovery Solutions

Home health and hospice organizations have turned to telehealth and remote patient monitoring (RPM) in droves during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using diverse case examples, Rich Curry of Health Recovery Solutions will offer best practices in the areas of patient and clinician education, risk triaging, COVID-19-specific telehealth care plans, selecting patients for telehealth, and operationalizing telehealth, drawing upon his expertise helping to directly support agency telehealth programs at Health Recovery Services, which works with over 100 home health agencies in 34 states.

2:50PM – 3:00PM

Closing Remarks