Bizzell Supports CMS COVID-19 National Nursing Home Training Series

Bizzell Supports CMS COVID-19 National Nursing Home Training Series

The global COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the vital role of infection prevention, particularly in nursing homes. A dedicated infection preventionist role within long-term care (LTC) settings is now a regulatory mandate. However, infection prevention personnel and supplies are strained due to the demands of COVID-19 control and mitigation.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has partnered with the Quality Improvement Organization (QIO) Program to present a series of trainings on infection prevention issues tailored specifically to nursing homes. The Bizzell Group (Bizzell) is proud to work with CMS and the QIO Program to facilitate this training, focused on protecting vulnerable nursing home residents and promoting patient safety throughout these unprecedented public health challenges.

The National Nursing Home Training Series weekly live webcast is open to health care providers and to the public. Initial trainings included: Implementation Strategies for COVID-19 Surveillance and Early Detection; Cohorting: Effective Management of Residents and Staff; and Clinical Care: Managing COVID-Positive Residents.

The Bizzell Group (Bizzell), as the Data Validation & Administrative Contractor (DVAC) facilitates cross-network collaboration, data analysis, learning and support for the Network of Quality Improvement and Innovation Contractors (NQIIC) program for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Bizzell is committed to data-driven, research-informed, innovative solutions that improve health and public health outcomes across the nation and around the globe, through CMS, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA), U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA), U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), and National Institutes of Health (NIH). Learn more at: https://thebizzellgroup.com.

Strategies to Reduce Anxiety and Depression During COVID-19

Strategies to Reduce Anxiety and Depression During COVID-19

Written by: Randolph Edmead

The global COVID-19 pandemic has had profound social, economic, and health effects. A recent study found that 56% of U.S. adults reported that worry or stress related to the pandemic has caused them to experience at least one negative effect related to mental health and wellbeing.  Physical distancing to reduce spread of COVID-19 increases social isolation and creates new challenges for individuals experiencing symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Some of the most prevalent concerns people have reported about managing during the COVID-19 pandemic are uncertainty about the future, not having control over the virus and its effects, and the economic ramifications of the pandemic. With widespread job loss, and the potential for the virus to cause serious illness and death, these concerns are not unfounded. The pandemic is having a significant effect on those who have not previously struggled with mental health issues, and the effects are exacerbated for those who have. As with other traumatic events, it has taken an exceptional toll on frontline health care workers and first responders.

The American Psychological Association says that it is critical to maintain social support and connections during physical distancing, and that it is important to know the signs of anxiety and depression so that individuals who may be experiencing these challenges can get timely help.

Signs of anxiety include:

  • Persistent worry, feeling overwhelmed by emotions
  • Excessive worry about a number of concerns, general sense that something bad is going to happen
  • Restlessness, irritability
  • Difficulty concentrating, sleep problems, feeling on edge

Signs of depression include:

  • Lack of interest or pleasure in activities
  • Significant weight loss or gain
  • Lack of energy or difficulty concentrating
  • Insomnia or excessive sleeping
  • Feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt
  • Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide

One unexpected consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic may be that the increased media attention on the mental health effects of the crisis is helping to reduce the stigma of talking about mental health issues. A new social media campaign through , “How are You, Really?”, aims to decrease the stigma of mental health issues by encouraging people to safely share their stories to show others that they are not alone.

Tips for Staying Mentally Healthy

The Director Dr. Joshua Gordon provides 5 tips for staying mentally healthy during the COVID-19 outbreak, which are timely for individuals struggling with anxiety or depression, as well as for those who are simply looking for positive strategies to cope with the challenges of the pandemic:

  • Avoid using alcohol or other drugs as coping mechanisms.
  • Maintain routines for meals, exercise, and sleep. Try to stay active.
  • Explore wellness programs, like meditation, yoga, muscle relaxation, or breathing exercises.
  • Stay connected. Talk by phone. Chat outside while maintaining recommended social distance. Join online gatherings.
  • Seek help right away if you have trouble coping or feel overwhelmed.

The Bizzell Group (Bizzell) was founded by President & CEO Anton C. Bizzell, M.D., a leading behavioral health expert and former Medical Officer for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Bizzell’s recent work includes systematic, integrated approaches designed to effect lasting change in the field of behavioral health through work with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Learn more about how we develop data-driven, research-informed, innovative solutions to advance mental health, behavioral health, and other complex-real-world challenges: https://BizzellUS.com/

Telework Best Practices: Tips for Staying Connected during COVID-19 Pandemic

Telework Best Practices: Tips for Staying Connected during COVID-19 Pandemic

Written by: Almeda Kyser

The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has transformed how and where we work. Businesses are rushing to transform the workplace as virtual workspaces become the norm. For The Bizzell Group (Bizzell), meeting remotely from across the globe is nothing new, but recent events have required more creative approaches. Bizzell Vice President for Conference Services, Almeda Kyser shares telework best practices when your only commute is along the internet superhighway.

Find ways to connect collaboratively: Now that we don’t have human, face-to-face interaction we are forced to be more strategic and innovative, Almeda says, and that means we must connect more often –don’t let a week go by without some form of group engagement.

  • Schedule team checkpoints: Add brief, 15-minute, every-other-day remote team meetings into the weekly schedule, preferably in the mornings, to give teams a chance to share project status and updates.
  • Arrange video gatherings: Once-a-week bring teams together with live streaming events for no more than 30 minutes – in addition to recurring department meetings — to give teams the chance to see each other and just check in. These can be informal gatherings that start with work discussions and segue into some fun social time.
  • Keep teams engaged: To break the daily monotony, Almeda sends out trivia polls and questions to keep brains active and teams talking. She also recommends periodic virtual round table discussions, just 15-to-30 minutes in length, on various subjects to keep the excitement going. Almeda plans to implement daily educational webinars for professional development so that teams expand their professional horizons.
  • Use communication platforms: Just like water cooler gatherings of old, it’s important to create an informal gathering space. Almeda employs virtual methods like productivity platforms and real-time instant messaging applications to keep individuals and teams in touch and informed while saving email space for more formal missives.

Maintain work routines: The advantages of working from home include no more running for the school bus or standing in the subway line. We still need to maintain our normal work schedules, Almeda notes, and behave at home the same way we would at the office.

  • Prepare for work: Rise and dress according to your regular routine. It’s also important to heed company guidelines about venues that might hinder productivity by monitoring social interaction while working and limiting social media use (some smart phones are equipped with alarms that help users keep social media time to a minimum). Discipline and consistency in work styles is even more important, now, as we face the prospect of working from home not for just a few days but potentially weeks to months.
  • Meet client needs: Clients look to us to set the tone for meetings, Almeda points out. When video conferencing with clients, maintain professional etiquette and clothing. Before audio conferences, ensure that file sharing applications are in use, but shut down any other computer applications that might distract you. Bizzell is experienced in using several virtual event platforms to customize virtual events for clients, such as WebEx, Adobe Connects, Zoom, and RingCentral. And, we have established SOPs, checklists, and timelines to ensure that Bizzell facilitates a successful event.
  • Use project management tools: Project management tools are integral to our client work at Bizzell, and Almeda encourages using these platforms to manage tasks and deliverables for your internal teams and external clients.

Keeping up morale: Bizzell CEO and senior leadership play a major role, Almeda says, to ensure that the office culture Bizzell has established translates into a virtual culture.

  • Reach out and virtually touch: Almeda anticipates more frequent outreach to address concerns that employees may have now and more efforts to engage with each other. For example, create a theme day on Fridays, when groups can collectively wear a theme color, share lunchtime remotely, or enjoy a virtual happy hour. Be sure to celebrate birthdays and work anniversaries. “We love the human compassion from being around each other – it’s important that we don’t become transitional people.”
  • Send out words of encouragement: Give your team praise and encouragement – let them know you still value what they do, Almeda urges. She did this with her own team during the first week of teleworking by sending out personal messages to reassure them and let her team know they are appreciated.
  • Take care of yourself: It is just as important to care for yourself, and Almeda recommends including exercise in your daily routine. Also focus on your mental health. Take a few minutes to step away from your computer to play a quick game, meditate, for quiet time, spiritual affirmation, or a brief read. Teleworking has allowed for less physical stress and more family time as meals are once again shared at the dining table, she notes, so enjoy the company.
  • Keep policies flexible for now: “This is a learning space for everyone,” Almeda notes, “there will be a lot of trial and error about what works and won’t work for Bizzell.” She foresees that companies will become flexible about telework policies as they reassess the need for office space and utilize available technologies that enable live streaming across locations. “Companies have multiple options for teleworking now more than we did 10 years ago, but it’s important to have a plan B in place.”

Bizzell is committed to continuing exceptional work with our clients during the novel coronavirus pandemic and beyond. We keep these principles values in mind while cultivating our teams during telework, and continuously delivering high-quality, client-centered service: Excellence, Integrity, Service, Innovation, People First, Diversity, Collaboration, and Professional Development.

The Bizzell Group (Bizzell) is a strategy, consulting, and technology firm that designs innovative solutions to help build healthy, secure, and sustainable communities in our nation and around the world. We leverage the combined experience of our diverse subject matter experts to develop data-driven, research-informed, innovative solutions to the world’s most complex challenges—ensuring our clients achieve their vision and goals. At Bizzell, we pursue meaningful projects that align with our motto: “Our clients drive real-world change. We accelerate it.”  Learn more about how we develop data-driven, research-informed, innovative solutions to SUDs and other complex-real-world challenges: https://BizzellUS.com/

Maintaining Recovery from Substance Use Disorders During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Maintaining Recovery from Substance Use Disorders During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Written by: Anton Bizzell

The global COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on health care delivery systems and on patterns of social support worldwide, creating an unprecedented set of challenges for individuals in recovery from substance use disorders (SUDs). In addition to managing the situational anxiety many people are facing with the unknowns of the pandemic, the social distancing that is vital to reduce the spread of the virus and protect vulnerable people, leaves individuals in recovery physically isolated from their health care providers and support system. Some people with SUDs may be at higher risk of relapsing with extended periods of time at home, uncertainty about work or finances, added stress on family relationships, or social isolation.

With this extraordinary situation, new resources and solutions are emerging to help people struggling with SUDs gain access to treatment in order to maintain their path to recovery.

New treatment access and guidelines during COVID-19. Health care and treatment of individuals with SUDs is evolving to meet the challenges of social isolation during the global pandemic:

  • Telehealth: Most insurance companies are now covering telehealth services at the same rate as traditional in-person visits with health care and behavioral health providers. Providers use secure virtual platforms to conduct a confidential video assessment, and to provide any necessary prescriptions or referrals to additional virtual or in-person treatment.
  • Take-home Medication-Assisted Treatment for Opioid Use Disorders: The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has issued Opioid Treatment Program guidance for states to be granted an exception to administer 14 to 28 days of take-home medication to individuals in an Opioid Treatment Program. This new guidance improves access to evidence-based Medication-Assisted Treatment for individuals with opioid use disorders (OUDs).
  • Treatment for Alcohol Withdrawal: The American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) has issued a Clinical Guideline on Alcohol Withdrawal Management. Some states have closed liquor stores as part of COVID-19 restrictions, resulting in limited access; at the same time, individuals experiencing alcohol withdrawal may also have limited access to treatment and withdrawal management programs. The ASAM Guideline advises clinicians in decision-making and treatment, improving care for these individuals struggling with alcohol use and alcohol withdrawal.

Virtual support during COVID-19. Many new resources are available to help individuals in recovery access support virtually:

  • SAMHSA Virtual Recovery Resources: SAMHSA notes that during the social distancing and isolation of COVID-19, it is still vital to continue social connections when recovering from SUDs and mental health conditions. This Tip Sheet describes resources for individuals in recovery and gives guidance for setting up a virtual recovery meeting.
  • National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI) COVID-19 Resource and Recovery Guide: Mental health support is a vital component of recovery. NAMI provides helpful tips for managing concerns about the virus, accessing virtual support, developing healthy daily routines, maintaining social support, and prioritizing self-care.
  • Alcoholics Anonymous Options for Meeting Online: During COVID-19, many Alcoholics Anonymous groups are exploring alternate ways to continue the community of support for recovery. This may involve phone calls, email, social media, and virtual meetings on digital platforms. Alcoholics Anonymous encourages groups to decide what will work best for them and provides information for groups making this change.
  • Virtual Narcotics Anonymous: This collaborative resource helps people find online and phone meetings of Narcotics Anonymous around the world. Narcotics Anonymous is for people who have any SUD and want support in their recovery.

Healthy habits to support recovery during COVID-19.  Some people in recovery have found it helpful to take this time of social distancing to focus on healthy habits that will support recovery. These can include:

  • Manage News Consumption
    • Check only established, reliable news sources. Set a timer to limit the amount of time you are reading the news. Avoid checking the news within one hour before bedtime, and instead focus on relaxing activities.
  • Get Ample Rest
    • Get at least 7-8 hours of sleep each night. Make sure that your sleeping area is used only for sleep. Use calming routines at night such as reading, taking a bath, or talking with a friend.
  • Develop and Maintain a Daily Routine
    • Keep a routine of getting up and getting dressed on a regular schedule each day. Set your alarm and start your day with a walk outside or your favorite breakfast. Take a shower, get dressed, and write out a plan for how you will spend your day.
  • Exercise Daily
    • Get daily exercise, even if it is just a gentle walk or simple stretches. If you usually go to a gym, look for online exercise programs such as yoga, dance, chair exercises, or even a boot camp routine. Start a virtual exercise routine with a friend so that you can encourage and support each other.
  • Schedule Time to Connect with Loved Ones
    • Schedule time for social connections each day, whether by phone, video, email, or text. Look for shared activities such as a book club, art activities, virtually movie night, or cooking that you can enjoy together remotely. Focus on connections with the people you can have honest conversations with about your feelings and struggles.
  • Other Mental Health Exercises
    • Choose activities that will support your mental health, including breathing exercises, journaling, or meditation. Look for online books and workbooks on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Mindfulness, to help you manage your thoughts, worries, and behaviors during this challenging time. Notice what feels relaxing and restful for you, and intentionally choose those activities.

The COVID-19 pandemic has created new challenges for individuals in recovery; it has also fostered creative new approaches to treatment and support, many of which are reaching people in new ways that may continue beyond the end of social distancing. With continued integration of treatment, virtual support, and healthy habits, recovery can continue.

The Bizzell Group (Bizzell) was founded by President & CEO Anton C. Bizzell, M.D., a leading substance use disorders (SUDs) expert and former Medical Officer for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Dr. Bizzell was selected as Maryland’s 2020 Small Businessperson of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). Bizzell’s recent work includes systematic, integrated approaches designed to effect lasting change in the field of SUDs through work with the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), the National Cancer Institute (NCI), the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the United States Chamber of Commerce Foundation (USCCF). Learn more about how we develop data-driven, research-informed, innovative solutions to SUDs and other complex-real-world challenges: https://BizzellUS.com/