Dear Cook County Health friends and partners,
This month, CCH celebrated both National Hospital Week (May 8-14) and National Nurses Week (May 6-12). The last year has given us all much to be grateful for, broad access to COVID-19 vaccines, new therapeutics, growth of CCH facilities and services, but, year after year, it is our health care team that
continues to earn our deepest gratitude.
Despite the ongoing challenges presented by the pandemic, our team never falters in its commitment to providing the best care possible to our patients, our members, and our communities.
The hard work that our team does day-in and day-out is essential to advancing Cook County Health’s mission and meeting the needs of residents across the county. I am so very grateful to our entire team, including our health care workers and nurses.
CCH achieved a significant milestone in our fight against COVID-19, administering our one-millionth dose of COVID-19 vaccine. We have come so far since the first days of administering the vaccine and this moment could not have been reached without the contributions of many people.
I am incredibly proud of the work by our staff at our health centers and pop-up equity events, the contributions from Cook County Government, the Cook County Department of Public Health, the State of Illinois and the Illinois National Guard at our mass vaccination sites, and our community partners for their diligence in spreading the word about the importance of vaccines.
COVID-19 has been difficult on all of us, making it important that we celebrate victories and milestones such as this, particularly because it reflects teamwork and the importance of having good community partners like you.
Our work does not end here, and I am looking forward to seeing the new heights we will be able to reach together. Thank you for your continued trust and support.
Sincerely,
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Cook County Health Administers One-Millionth Dose of COVID-19 Vaccine |
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Cook County Health staff celebrate one million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine at the North Riverside Health Center. |
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Pearl and Frederick were recognized as CCH's honorary one millionth (and one millionth and 1) vaccine doses administered |
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Cook County Health administered its one-millionth dose of COVID-19 vaccine the week of April 25, making it among the first health systems in the country to achieve this level of success in vaccinating its communities.
“When vaccines first became available we promised that every resident who wanted a vaccine would have access to it, and that special attention would be made to reach our most vulnerable residents. I am proud to say we have fulfilled that promise,” said Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle. “Reaching this milestone is a testament to the faith and trust residents have in Cook County Health and science as a whole.”
Cook County Health administered its first vaccine on December 11, 2020. In the following weeks, CCH stood up some of the first mass vaccination sites in the nation.
“This milestone represents lives saved, families kept whole, and a turning of the tide of the COVID-19 pandemic. This achievement is made possible by the hard work of our team, our partners at Cook County and the State of Illinois, community-based organizations, and by the patients who placed their trust in Cook County Health,” said Israel Rocha, Jr., CEO, Cook County Health.
Vaccines were also made available at Cook County Health hospitals and health centers, correctional health facilities, and hyperlocal vaccination events across the County.
COVID-19 vaccines remain the most effective way to protect yourself and others from the most severe outcomes. Cook County Health’s work to vaccinate all residents of Cook County remains going at full steam.
“If you have not yet gotten your vaccine, or your booster, our doors are open. Join your many friends and neighbors who have protected themselves to the fullest,” said Iliana Mora, Chief Administrative Office, Ambulatory Services, Cook County Health.
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COVID-19 Update with Cook County Health |
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COVID-19 Cases Increasing |
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Due to an increase in the number of positive cases of COVID-19 and hospitalization rates, Cook County and the City of Chicago are now at the “High” level of transmission, based on metrics calculated by the CDC.
Based on current CDC guidance, the Cook County Department of Public Health highly recommends:
- Wearing a mask in indoor public spaces regardless of vaccine status;
- Wearing a respirator-type mask such as an N95 or KN95 when indoors to protect those at high-risk for severe illness from COVID-19 infection including adults over the age of 50, those with underlying medical conditions, and the immunocompromised;
- Avoiding large gatherings if you are at high-risk for severe illness from COVID-19 infection;
- Wearing a mask when with individuals at high-risk and limiting indoor activities and congregate events with individuals other than family;
- Getting vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19 for all those 5 years old and older;
- Improving the air quality of indoor venues with HEPA filter air purifiers and opening windows whenever possible;
- Socializing outdoors if possible and avoiding poorly ventilated indoor settings and large gatherings;
- Getting tested for COVID-19 a few days before and the day of attending a family or public event – home tests are ideal for this purpose and widely available; and
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Contacting your doctor or using a Test to Treat site as soon as you test positive to get treatment for COVID-19. Visit https://aspr.hhs.gov/TestToTreat/Pages/default.aspx to find a Test to Treat site.
“By taking these measures seriously now, we can slow COVID-19 spread in order to protect our most vulnerable and prevent our healthcare system from being overwhelmed with COVID-19 patients,” said Dr. Rachel Rubin, Senior Medical Officer and CCDPH Co-Lead.
In suburban Cook County, more than 1.9 million residents (86 percent of the population) have received at least one dose of the vaccine and almost 1.5 million (65 percent) are fully vaccinated.
The CDC and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have recently approved COVID-19 vaccine booster shots for children ages 5-11. Anyone age 5 and older may receive a booster shot five months after the second dose of their primary series. People aged 50 and older, people aged 12 and older who are immunocompromised, and people who received a primary or booster dose of Johnson & Johnson are encouraged to get a second booster of Pfizer or Moderna.
Vaccines remain critical for slowing the spread of COVID and improved outcomes in individuals who get COVID-19. To find out information about where to get a vaccine or when you should get a booster shot, visit MyShotCookCounty.com.
The Cook County Department of Public Health website has a variety of resources available to help people during these times, including information about testing, COVID treatment options and resources to help get to vaccine sites. Click here to visit.
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Update on the Change Institute
In March, Cook County Health announced the creation of The Change Institute, a think- and do- tank designed to address health equity, improve patient outcomes including the prevention of premature death.
Two of the immediate efforts under the Institute include providing comprehensive cardiology and neuroscience services to our patients in a more integrated approach. To that end, we are pleased to provide additional information and announce the appointments of interim leaders for these important service line improvements.
The Department of Cardiology is expanding its service offerings in the Catheterization Lab and EP Lab procedures as well as related upstream (pre-procedure diagnostic and clinic visits) and downstream activities (clinic visits). With more non-invasive procedures, lengths of stay will be shorter, and our patients will have better outcome compared to invasive/surgical intervention.
All of these efforts will have a positive impact on revenues and expenses.
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Dr. Rami Doukky has been named the interim Director of the Cardiovascular Service Line Project. Dr. Doukky will lead the effort to bring cardiology, cardiothoracic surgery, vascular surgery, rehabilitative medicine, physical therapy, and radiology together to meet the comprehensive cardiovascular needs of our patients.
Dr. Doukky has been working hard to advance cardiac services for our patients for many years. This service line is the next logical step to fully integrating our cardiovascular services with the patient at the center of our efforts.
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Building neuroscience capacity to perform more complex surgical procedures requires availability of fully functioning Neuro ICU led by neurointensivists and supported by other clinical providers 24/7 as well as quick access to diagnostic services for monitoring of patient conditions.
This provides an opportunity for Stroger Hospital to upgrade its designation to a Comprehensive Stroke Center. Attaining such designation will put Stroger Hospital in the EMS routing system for more complex stroke patients and to receive patient transfers from other hospitals who have less neuroscience capability.
Dr. Lakshmi Warrior has been named the interim Director of the Neuroscience Service Line Project. She has been tasked with leading the effort to bring together neurology, neurosurgery, psychiatry, rehabilitative medicine, physical therapy, and radiology to develop a comprehensive service to meet the neurological needs of our patients. This multidisciplinary effort will provide our patients an integrated, state-of-the art care with a patient-centered approach.
Click here to sign up for updates from The Change Institute.
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Health Benefits for Immigrant Adults Now Open
In December 2020, Illinois expanded Medicaid to provide health coverage to immigrant adults ages 65 and older. Now, another Health Benefits for Immigrant Adults expansion offers health care benefits to low-income immigrants ages 55 to 64.
Enrollment for healthcare coverage for people ages 55+, regardless of immigration status, is now open. Learn more and apply at abe.illinois.gov/abe/.
Cook County Health continues to advocate for this program to be expanded to all non-citizen adults. Click here to read a Chicago Tribune story about CCH patient who gained health coverage through this program.
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Help With Medicaid Address Update Campaign
The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) is taking steps to prepare for the end of the Federal Covid-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE). When the PHE ends, the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services will end its continuous coverage provision.
This provision has allowed HFS to keep Medicaid customers insured without confirming all eligibility requirements. As a result of this continuous eligibility, Medicaid customers have not been asked to update their information for two years. That new information is now critical for their continued coverage.
As the PHE ends, the Department's goals are to protect coverage for as many people as possible, reduce churn, reduce inequities, fulfill all legal requirements, and meet federally mandated timeframes.
To help as many people as possible keep their Medicaid coverage, HFS needs updated addresses to send people their renewal forms. We need to do everything we can to make sure they receive their forms and return them, and we request your help to accomplish this.
People who use Medicaid can update their addresses two ways: calling the HFS hotline (877-805-5312), or through an HFS web form (www2.illinois.gov/hfs/address).
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Congressman Krishnamoorthi Joins Cook County Leaders at Provident Hospital to Discuss Health Care Provider Protection Act. |
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Last month, U.S. Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi joined Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, Cook County Health CEO Israel Rocha, and Dr. Mark Loafman, Chair of Family and Community Medicine to celebrate the passage into law last month of the bipartisan Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act which Congressman Krishnamoorthi co-led.
The new law, named after Dr. Lorna Breen, an emergency room physician who tragically died by suicide after enduring the trauma and burnout of working on the frontlines of the pandemic, will help combat suicide, burnout, and mental and behavioral health conditions among health care professionals.
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Cook County Health in the News |
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If you would like to invite a representative from CCH to attend a community event, please send an email to [email protected].
To provide feedback on CCH Community News, update your contact information, or unsubscribe, please email Marcelino Garcia, Director of Community Affairs, at [email protected].
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