Quote:
Originally Posted by C. C. Rider
I realize that there are many factors that can make one person more vulnerable to the Coronavirus than another person, but it would be an impossible task to try to fairly rank all of the various factors that would make one person more vulnerable than another person.
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Actually there is such a tool available which is used by the VA. This tool called the Care Assessment Needs or CAN tool that was established in 2013 when the PACT model of care was being rolled out with the goal to better manage chronic diseases and provide earlier intervention to reduce rehospitalizations. This tool compiles multifaceted patient data which generates a score that identify patients who statistically are at the highest risk for hospitalization and mortality. So for example, an 85 year old with few if any chronic diseases, minimal if any hospitalizations, and lives in a single family dwelling will generate a lower CAN score than a 65 year old who lives in a communal living environment such as a nursing home and has multiple chronic diseases that resulted in frequent hospitalizations. Being a VA primary care R.N. I use the CAN tool daily to identify patients that I need to outreach frequently to assess for evolving status changes so that early interventions can be implemented to avoid further status decline.
Not sure if the VA will be using the entire CAN score to determine which patients will be 1st offered Covid vaccines. But I am pretty certain that those Vets residing in communal living situations such as nursing homes and Vets living in group homes and shelters regardless of age and health statue will be offered 1st and encouraged to receive Covid vaccines because due to their communal living situations they are at a very high risk for Covid contraction and spreading it to others they live with communally.