Bizzell on the Front Line of the COVID-19 Response in Africa

Bizzell on the Front Line of the COVID-19 Response in Africa

The Bizzell Group (Bizzell) is on the front line of the COVID-19 response in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), supporting essential Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) services through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the DRC Ministry of Health COVID-19 operations. Bizzell transports doctors, test kits, personal protective equipment, and samples to and from the labs and between the eight health zones in Kinshasa, including Kalamu, Kimbaseke, Ndjili, Masina, Lingwala, Gombe, Selembao and Bumbu.

Bizzell has also continued support of IPC services in Goma, including supervised decontamination activities following newly reported COVID-19 cases in the Karisimbi health zone. In addition, continued work focuses on the Majengo neighborhood in Goma, the origin of all the new COVID-19 cases in the area. The team is reinforcing infection prevention and surveillance capacities in the community so that they will be able to detect cases and deliver effective, high-quality IPC.

Conditions can be challenging for global public health responders, such as during recent demonstrations by the people of the Majengo neighborhood. Throughout the evolution of the novel coronavirus, Bizzell remains committed to listening to community issues, and to partnering with local, national, and international groups to actively improve health outcomes for all individuals and communities affected by COVID-19.

The Bizzell Group (Bizzell) was founded by CEO Anton Bizzell, M.D., a family physician and a global health, public health, and substance use disorders expert and former Medical Officer at National Institutes of Health (NIH). Our recent work includes systematic, integrated approaches designed to effect lasting change in the field of global health, through projects with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and the National Cancer Institute (NCI). Learn more about how Bizzell advances data-driven, research-informed, innovative solutions to solve complex, real-world challenges. www.BizzellUS.com  

Bizzell Supports CMS COVID-19 National Nursing Home Training Series

Bizzell Supports CMS COVID-19 National Nursing Home Training Series

The global COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the vital role of infection prevention, particularly in nursing homes. A dedicated infection preventionist role within long-term care (LTC) settings is now a regulatory mandate. However, infection prevention personnel and supplies are strained due to the demands of COVID-19 control and mitigation.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has partnered with the Quality Improvement Organization (QIO) Program to present a series of trainings on infection prevention issues tailored specifically to nursing homes. The Bizzell Group (Bizzell) is proud to work with CMS and the QIO Program to facilitate this training, focused on protecting vulnerable nursing home residents and promoting patient safety throughout these unprecedented public health challenges.

The National Nursing Home Training Series weekly live webcast is open to health care providers and to the public. Initial trainings included: Implementation Strategies for COVID-19 Surveillance and Early Detection; Cohorting: Effective Management of Residents and Staff; and Clinical Care: Managing COVID-Positive Residents.

The Bizzell Group (Bizzell), as the Data Validation & Administrative Contractor (DVAC) facilitates cross-network collaboration, data analysis, learning and support for the Network of Quality Improvement and Innovation Contractors (NQIIC) program for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Bizzell is committed to data-driven, research-informed, innovative solutions that improve health and public health outcomes across the nation and around the globe, through CMS, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA), U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA), U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), and National Institutes of Health (NIH). Learn more at: https://BizzellUS.com.

Bizzell Supports Development of CMS Nursing Home Toolkit to Combat COVID-19

Bizzell Supports Development of CMS Nursing Home Toolkit to Combat COVID-19

The Bizzell Group (Bizzell) supported the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) in the development and release of the Toolkit on State Actions to Mitigate COVID-19 Prevalence in Nursing Homes. The toolkit is designed to facilitate efforts to manage the spread of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in nursing homes, and includes strategies, best practices, and resources to assist long-term care facilities with disease control and prevention, gaining access to personal protective equipment (PPE), managing the transfer of patients, implementing protocols around visitation and staffing, and more.

Bizzell assisted CMS by facilitating the coordination, organization, design, editing, and 508 compliance remediation of the toolkit. Content for the toolkit was curated by a number of experts, including health care providers, Governors’ COVID-19 tasks forces, associations, community partners, and the 12 Quality Innovative Network-Quality Improvement Organizations (QIN-QIOs).

In addition to nursing homes, the toolkit was distributed to Governors, health departments, and other agencies and facilities that serve elderly populations at the local and state levels. Learn more about the toolkit here: https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/cms-issues-nursing-homes-best-practices-toolkit-combat-covid-19

This work is in support of the CMS Data Validation and Administrative Contract (DVAC), in which Bizzell was selected to lead and evaluate the improvement of quality healthcare programsincluding nursing home care.

Bizzell to Support HHS Presidential Advisory Council with Section 508 Compliance Services

Bizzell to Support HHS Presidential Advisory Council with Section 508 Compliance Services

November 19, 2019 (Lanham, MD) – The Bizzell Group (Bizzell) was recently awarded a contract to provide Section 508 Compliance Remediation Services in support of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Presidential Advisory Council on Combating Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria (Advisory Council).  Section 508 is a federal law mandating that all electronic content developed and distributed by government agencies must be accessible to all people, including those with visual, auditory, or other disabilities.

As a part of this contract, Bizzell will convert digital-based and mobile applications, products, and communications to Braille, large type, audio files, and other alternative communication methods. Bizzell will also create, test, duplicate, and maintain these products for HHS’ Advisory Council.

Section 508 ensures equal access to information for people with disabilities and promotes their self-dignity and ability to retrieve, read, and manage information at their leisure such as applying for a job with the federal government, using an agency’s website to get information about a program, or completing online forms. HHS estimates that an average of 13.2 people in the United States have a disability that 508 compliance will help with, and Bizzell is honored to be part of these efforts.

About Bizzell

Established in 2010, The Bizzell Group (Bizzell) is a U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) 8(a) certified strategy, consulting, and technology firm that specializes in program management, administrative support, communication and outreach, conference management and logistical support, health services and research, technical assistance, as well as training and development. Bizzell’s expert staff and consultants work on health, scientific, education, environment, research, and information technology projects that meet national priorities.

Under the leadership and vision of founder, Anton C. Bizzell, MD, the company has grown from a staff of two in one small office, to a thriving firm with three offices, in Lanham, MD; Rockville, MD; and Atlanta, GA; and with ongoing projects across the world.