UCSF Division of Geriatrics Weekly Updates (6/12/2020) from Chief Dr. Louise Walter

This is the thirteenth Geriatrics Division Weekly Update and this has been another difficult week.  I appreciate the many brainstorming sessions that happened this week across our many programs to determine how the Division can be part of the solution for social justice and health equity globally.

This is also the week that we have officially entered the Recovery Phase of the COVID-19 pandemic.  Therefore, this weekly update focuses on what the Recovery Phase looks like across the Division.  The number of cases of COVID-19 continues to decline in some areas while rapidly increasing in other areas: (https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/2020/05/graphic-tracking-coronavirus-infections-us/).  The last Geriatrics Division Weekly Update will be on June 19^th and then there will be a break over the summer. 

UPDATES ACROSS THE DIVISION

Recovery Phase:  UCSF and SFVA have begun a phased return to on-site operations for some programs, however those who can continue to productively work remotely should do so through January 18, 2021.  We also recognize that there may be challenges to working at home (e.g., poor internet connections, noisy or disruptive environment, lack of space, etc.) so now that we are in the Recovery Phase, please speak to your supervisor or PI to determine if working on-site is part of the solution needed to perform your work productively.  UCSF Supervisors and PI’s should reach out to Maxine Davis to request on-site work approvals for Laurel Heights.  Sometimes initial approvals will require more than a week to move through the process.  Once you have been approved to work on-site there are procedures to follow during this phase (see below).  No prior approval is needed to work on-site for patient-care activities at UCSF, ZSFG or for working on-site at the San Francisco VA but everyone must follow social distancing rules and health screening procedures and do not come to work if you have any COVID-19 symptoms.

Laurel Heights RECOVERY Phase Procedures: 

1. Become familiar with workplace protocols outlined on this website (physical distancing, face covering, hand washing / hygiene, rotate or stagger schedules).
2. Email [email protected] with your request to work on-site, why you cannot work productively at home, location you will be working (suite #, office/cubicle), date(s) and hours you will be on-site at Laurel Heights.  If you will be at Laurel Heights on a specific day(s) each week, please note this in your request to Maxine.  Note:  Requests may take more than a week to approve.
3. Complete and pass the online health screener before going on campus.  You do not have to show your digital entry pass when entering campus buildings, but you may be asked to show your pass by your manager, security or police officers, auditors, or health and safety officers.  See UCSF Health screening procedures. 
4. Always have your UCSF campus ID badge with you.  Until further notice, all campus buildings must be entered through designated doors by swiping your UCSF ID. You do not need to touch the ID reader when you swipe. Please do not hold the door open for others; each person should produce a unique swipe. 

By using your UCSF ID, you are attesting that you:

• Have conducted your daily health screening.
• Are entering the facility on essential business to productively conduct your work.
• Are adhering to all UCSF protocols posted on this website, including but not limited to Physical Distancing Protocols and Campus Face Covering Guidelines.

The division will provide hand soap, paper towels and disinfectant spray in Suite 380 for Geriatrics Division personnel to use in Suites 380, 282, 430 & 435.  Please let Paula know if supplies are low so that she can order more.

Karen will be going into the Laurel Heights campus, Suite 380 every Friday afternoon to distribute mail that was delivered during the week.  You can reach out to Karen if you have any special requests, such as looking for a specific piece of mail, watering plants, etc.

San Francisco VA Recovery Phase procedures: 

1. All individuals on San Francisco VA Health Care System property, including the Medical Center, Community-Based Outpatient Clinics and other properties are strongly encouraged to maintain a physical distance of at least six feet from other individuals at all times, regardless of whether they are inside or outside.
2. All individuals are also encouraged to follow the Masking Policy when on campus.  When engaged in work that requires physical proximity of less than six feet surgical masks are to be worn.
3. Separate routes for entry and exit into spaces shall be designated, where possible, to prevent individuals passing one another face-to-face.  Individuals shall limit passing other individuals in the hallways and stairwells, where possible.  The number of individuals occupying an elevator at one time shall be limited to two.
4. All meetings, seminars, trainings and other gatherings shall continue to be virtual.
5. All employees in telework-eligible positions shall telework to the maximum extent practicable.
6. The number of employees at one time in an office, workstation, or breakroom shall be limited to maintain a physical distance of six feet between all.  Talk with your VA supervisor or PI if you need to work on-site since there may need to be staggering start/end times, establishing alternating days for onsite reporting, etc. for those who need to work on-site.
7. Employees should be encouraged to eat somewhere other than break rooms.  Only one person at a time should eat in a break room.
8. Always have your VA ID badge with you and complete health screening questions asked as you enter the designated VA employee entrances.  Employees can expedite the screening process when entering SFVAHCS facilities by scanning the QR code below or going to the online COVID-19 screening tool using their mobile phone and answering six questions prior to entry. Simply show your completed screening questionnaire on your mobile device to screeners and skip the line. 

EDUCATION:  The Geriatrics and Geri-Pal Fellows’ virtual graduation celebration will be on Thursday June 18^th from 6-7pm.  Please join the celebration!  See your Outlook Calendar Invitation for details. 

LEADERSHIP:  Anna Chang, Louise Walter, Christine Ritchie and Sarah VanZanten worked with AGS to hold an Emerging Leaders in Aging virtual special interest group (SIG) meeting on 6/5/20 with 60 current and former ELIA scholars participating together with AGS leadership.  We discussed leading during times of crisis.  A video of the presentations can be seen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0DBPkXgb7iM

POLICY:  Carla Perissinotto testified in front of the US Senate about combating social isolation and loneliness during the COVID-19 pandemic: https://www.aging.senate.gov/hearings/combating-social-isolation-and-loneliness-during-the-covid-19-pandemic

STAFF:
The Staff Social Hour on Tuesday June 9^th was a Baby Picture Show & Tell.  Can you guess who this is?

In her free time, Sarah Ngo is making progress on her backyard garden area:  https://photos.app.goo.gl/cYBcyBmB42yxT2N47 

NEXT UCSF DIVISION OF GERIATRICS HALF-DAY

DIVISION-WIDE MEETING on June 24^th 3-4pm.  **Everyone is encouraged to attend.
Topic: Faculty Diversity Champion presentations.

UCSF DIVISION OF GRAND ROUNDS on June 24^th 4-5pm,
“Social Justice and Equity for Vulnerable Elders” 
In this Grand Rounds, faculty from the UCSF Division of Geriatrics will discuss four groups of elders who experience health disparities and disproportionately include minority elders: 

• Older Adults in Prison
• Homeless Older Veterans
• Nursing Home Veterans with Mental Illness and Dementia
• Older Adults Living with HIV

The focus will be on what we are doing to help these groups and next steps for social justice and equitable systems to improve the lives of older persons in these groups.
Moderator: Louise Walter, MD, Professor and Chief, UCSF Division of Geriatrics
Speakers:

• Anne Fabiny, MD, Professor of Medicine
• Leah Rorvig, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine
• Michi Yukawa, MD, Professor of Medicine
• Meredith Greene, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine

Zoom information to follow.
The rest of our Geriatrics Half-Day schedule will be determined closer to the date.
There have been over 1,700 views of our May Geriatrics Division Grand Rounds at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqBtRTLp9uU&t=2s

MAXINE’S WEEKLY TIP
DOM is hosting a staff & faculty webinar today, Friday, June 12 from 3-4pm
Living Peacefully with Uncertainty: A Conversation with Bridge Sumser, LCSW, Palliative Medicine. 
Zoom Information:  Please click this URL to join. https://ucsf.zoom.us/j/95978923665?pwd=RlIvWkl5SUZFQnZYU2UySmtZVjIzQT09
Password: 550671

JOIN THE DIVISION SOCIAL COMMITTEE
We will need to be creative in how we create community while we practice social distancing.  We will need rethink Division Welcome events, Holiday Party, etc.  I have reached out to the faculty and staff who are currently on the social committee to see if they wish to continue on the committee for another year (Daphne, Michi, Becki, Todd, Alex, Meredith, Sarah Ngo, Elaine, Aiesha, Brian, Karen, Maxine and Paula).  If you would like to join the Division Social Committee please let me know by June 30th.  We meet 3-4 times per year by Zoom.

UCSF TOWNHALL SUMMARY
The townhall was cancelled on 6/9/20. 

I acknowledge this continues to be a difficult time.  Please reach out to me if you need help or have concerns.

Thanks!
Louise

PS: Sarah VanZanten shared that Disneyland released their Churro recipe, so of course she ordered piping bags and tips, and tried it out and the results: delicious!