NKCH is partnering with the Northland’s Operation Safe, a coalition to administer COVID-19 vaccines to eligible individuals who live in Missouri. After the first biweekly vaccination clinic on the Cerner Corp. campus in North Kansas City the first week of February, more than 4,900 people had been vaccinated.
Although weather postponed some clinics, that number rose to more than 13,500 people by March 1. As more vaccines became available, the coalition has increased its capacity to 3,500 vaccines per day. The state-of-the art center uses a paperless scheduling and registration process, including text and email platforms, as well as iPad check-ins. The process integrates with Cerner, NKCH’s electronic medical record for patient convenience. Operation Safe has received hundreds of positive comments from patients and the community, which have caught the attention of many elected officials and other center operators who have toured the clinic.
Physicians can direct Missouri residents to complete the Clay County Public Health Center’s COVID-19 vaccination interest form. When it is their turn to be vaccinated, they will be contacted via text, email or phone call to schedule an appointment. Walk-up requests will not be accommodated. For more information, please direct patients to Operation Safe.
Coalition
Other coalition members are Cerner, Liberty Hospital, the Clay County Public Health Center, and the cities of Liberty, Gladstone, Smithville, Kearney, North Kansas City and Excelsior Springs. NKCH and Liberty Hospital collectively were named one of the 16 high-throughput vaccine providers by the Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services.
NKCH President and CEO Stephen Reintjes Sr., MD, said, “Our hospital is grateful and honored to be paired with Liberty Hospital and named a high-throughput provider by the state. This designation allows us to partner with Cerner and Operation Safe partners to set up a state-of-the-art vaccine center to better serve our community. Pooling our resources and expertise will significantly increase vaccinations and reduce the spread. Together, we will fight COVID-19 and win.”
Todd Beardman, MD, NKCH chief medical information officer and a hospitalist with Meritas Health Hospitalists, is leading the center’s clinical operations, alongside a team of 50 Cerner, NKCH and other coalition executives. Additionally, it takes more than 300 volunteers per clinic to effectively throughput patients at this volume.
Medical Exclusions
In addition of being aware of which stages have been activated, Dr. Beardman advised residents be mindful of when they have had other vaccinations, such as flu, pneumovax, shingles or tetanus boosters. “It’s helpful to know the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends waiting 14 days between vaccinations,” Dr. Beardman said. “If their other vaccinations fall within that time period, they will need to wait before receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.”
The vaccines also are not recommended if the person:
- Tested positive or had close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 10 days
- Received monoclonal antibody therapy or convalescent plasma for the treatment of COVID-19 in the past 90 days
- Currently has a fever or COVID-19 symptoms
- Has ever had a severe allergic reaction to any ingredient in the COVID-19 vaccine
In addition, the vaccines are recommended for those who have recovered from COVID-19, provided symptoms are gone and it has been at least 10 days since diagnosis.
Post Vaccine
After being vaccinated, participants will be asked to sit for a 15-minute observation period in case of a rare allergic reaction. Those with a history of serious allergic reactions will be asked to wait 30 minutes.
People can sign up for the CDC’s V-safe post-vaccination health checker, a smartphone-based tool that uses text messaging and web surveys to provide personalized health check-ins after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine. To register, they just need their smartphone and information about the vaccine they received, which can be found on the vaccination record card they receive. More information is available at the CDC After Vaccination Health Checker.
Volunteer Opportunities
Learn about clinical and nonclinical Operation Safe Volunteer opportunities.