City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: OCTOBER 3, 2023
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
THROUGH: JAMES F. PARAJON, CITY MANAGER /s/
FROM: DR. DAVID C. ROSE, DIRECTOR, ALEXANDRIA HEALTH DEPARTMENT
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Consideration of a Grant Application to the National Association of County and City Health Officials to Strengthen Alexandria Health Department Capacity for Prevention of and Response to Healthcare-Acquired and Antimicrobial Resistant Infections.
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ISSUE: Consideration of a grant application to the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) to strengthen Alexandria Health Department (AHD) capacity for prevention of and response to healthcare-acquired and antimicrobial resistant infections.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council:
(1) Retroactively approve the submission of a grant application to the NACCHO for up to $80,000; and
(2) Authorize the City Manager to execute all the necessary documents that may be required.
BACKGROUND: NACCHO, with support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion, is requesting applications for funding to strengthen local health department capacity for healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and antimicrobial resistance (AR) prevention and response through improved regional collaboration and partnership, resource development supporting activities such as the improvement of antimicrobial stewardship, and developing evidence-based approaches that address health equity. NACCHO will fund up to twelve local health departments. Applications are being accepted and evaluated through September 22, 2023, and this authorization is being requested retroactively. Grants will be awarded on a competitive basis for an eight-month project period. Successful local health departments will each be awarded between $60,000 and $80,000. The project period will start October 17, 2023 and is expected to end June 20, 2023. This will be the first time that AHD has applied for this funding opportunity.
DISCUSSION: An emerging public health threat, multi-drug resistant organisms (MDROs) do not respond to multiple available treatments, are increasing in frequency, can cause severe illness or death, and are primarily found in hospitalized patients and residents of nursing homes. From 2019 through 2022, among all Northern Virginia jurisdictions, the number of cases of reportable MDROs was the highest in Alexandria. If funded, AHD will build upon its strong response to healthcare acquired infections, related outreach efforts and organizational collaborations. Funded health departments will be organized into communities of practice which will support the development of evidence-based models and best-practices for sustainable workflows and improved infection transmission outcomes. Approximately $46,000 would support permanent staff to focus on HAI work and MDRO initiatives. Salary savings will be used to fund contract staff to do more routine infectious disease work. As part of this grant, AHD staff will host local infection control meetings with long term care facilities, hospitals, and dialysis centers, with additional resources for subject matter expert presentations. Approximately $2,800 will purchase supplies for infection control training of community partners. Additionally, AHD staff will receive training on improving community health literacy as an effective method for reducing hospitalizations which increased risk for MDRO transmission. $5,500 will fund staff training and associated travel costs. Through these efforts, AHD will develop a tailored, partner-informed strategy that deals with the issues identified during stakeholder meetings, while incorporating tactics to address health equity.
FISCAL IMPACT: This grant, if awarded, will provide up to $80,000 to support HAI/AR activities. There is no required match from the City.
STAFF:
Kendel Taylor, Interim Deputy City Manager
Christina Chommanard, Epidemiology Supervisor
Luisa Cortes Angel, Epidemiologist
Skyler Mackey, Epidemiologist
Alyssa Granillo, District Epidemiologist
Anne Gaddy, Deputy Director
Eve Elliott, Communications Officer
Wyatasha Dickerson, Fiscal Officer