DOH COVID-19 Telehealth Program, Webinars, and Mask Order Ending

Hello POP Providers, 

Last month, the Washington Department of Public Health (DOH) announced the return of its free telehealth COVID-19 treatment program, which provides quick access to life-saving antivirals such as Paxlovid.

The program allows people all over the state to talk with clinicians without having to travel to a healthcare facility, reducing potential for spread and barriers to treatment access. This is especially needed in rural and underserved urban areas of the state where barriers are most common.

To schedule a consultation and be connected to a health care provider, Washingtonians can visit the program website or call the DOH hotline at 1-800-525-0127. Appointments are available every day from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. PST.

Telehealth is defined as “using electronic information and telecommunications to support long-distance clinical healthcare, patient and professional health-related education, public health, and health administration.”

The CDC supports the expansion of telehealth, acknowledging that it “remains critical to providing access to care.” Sudies show that patients are satisfied with the care they receive through telehealth and use it as an alternative to urgent care and emergency departments.

Here are some additional COVID-19 therapeutics and telehealth resources for providers:

• COVID-19 Telehealth Treatment Program Flyer (PDF)
• Therapeutics Information for Heath Care Providers (WA DOH)
• COVID-19 Therapeutics Resources and Toolkits (WA DOH)
• Telehealth Website (WA DOH)
• Telehealth Implementation Guidebook (WA DSHS)
• Washington State Telehealth Collaborative (WSHA)
• Rural Telehealth Toolkit (Rural Health Information Hub)

Here are some telehealth resources you can share with your patients:

• Patient Tips for Telehealth Success (US DHHS)
• How to Prepare for a Video Appointment (PDF, APA/SAMHSA)
• What to Expect from a Telehealth Visit (Video, HI DOH)
• Drive-In WiFi Hotspot Location Finder (WA Department of Commerce)

Upcoming Peer- To- Peer Learning Webinars

Long COVID: A Deep Dive into Symptoms and Treatment Options to Support Patients

(Part 2 of the University of Washington’s Post COVID Rehabilitation and Recovery Clinic’s Post-Acute Sequalae of COVID (PASC) Discussion Series)

Anita Chopra, MD and Jana Friedly MD March 24, noon to 1:00 p.m. PST A recent survey suggests 13.4% of adults in Washington (14.7% in the nation) have experienced Long COVID. Join your peers in learning about Long COVID from experts at the University of Washington (UW) Post COVID Rehabilitation and Recovery Clinic. Register today!

A recording of Part 1 of the discussion will be available on the POP Member Page soon!

Behavioral Health Support for Health Care Workers Series

Policy News

Last week, DOH announced that the Secretary of Health Mask Order will end on April 3, 2023. Universal masking in healthcare, long-term care, and adult correctional facilities will no longer be required for people 5 years old and older. Masks continue to be recommended under infection prevention and control guidance and state worker protection requirements remain in effect. Health care providers may choose to continue to require masks in their facilities and DOH will continue to provide prevention guidance for illness prevention measures.

If you have any questions about anything in today's newsletter, please reach out to us at powerofproviders@doh.wa.gov. We appreciate you and hope you have a wonderful week!

Power of Providers Team  

Prevention and Community Health Division  

Washington State Department of Health  

powerofproviders@doh.wa.gov  

360-236-2662 | www.doh.wa.gov/pop