COVID-19 Navigator Toolkit

ACS Recommends Increased Patient Navigation During Pandemic

In response to the detrimental impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cancer screening and care, the American Cancer Society (ACS) released this report that recommends increasing implementation of patient navigation to help people who are underserved and/or most likely to have poor outcomes for all cancer types. This report also includes recommendations such as national partnerships, coordinated messaging, quality measures, pandemic-related innovations, and more.

Assessing the Global Burden of Post–COVID-19 Conditions

This report explains multiple definitions of post-COVID conditions; the challenge to study post-COVID conditions; and the questions surrounding epidemiology, underlying causes, and effective therapeutics and treatment strategies for patients.

FDA Emergency Use Authorization for Drugs and Biological Products

There are many changes and questions regarding drugs and biological agents for cancer treatments during the COVID-19 pandemic. The oncology population may consult the FDA Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) that, since March 27, 2020, authorizes (1) the emergency use of an unapproved drug, an unapproved or uncleared device, or an unlicensed biological product; or (2) an unapproved use of an approved drug, approved or cleared device, or licensed biological product.

NCCN: COVID-19 Vaccination Guide for People with Cancer

The National Comprehensive Cancer Network^® (NCCN^®) has released new vaccination guidelines for patients with cancer and their caregivers, including recommendations for a third dose of the vaccine.

NCCN Letter of Support for Mandatory Vaccines for Healthcare Workers

In recognition that many navigators use the National Comprehensive Cancer Network^® (NCCN^®) to ensure the patients with cancer they are navigating are receiving treatment per clinical practice guidelines to improve the quality, effectiveness, and efficiency of oncology practice so patients can live better lives, AONN+ is sharing the NCCN Statement of Support.

Joint Statement in Support of COVID-19 Vaccine Mandates for All Workers in Health and Long-Term Care

A letter of support from multiple healthcare organizations and societies to support COVID-19 vaccine mandates for healthcare workers.

FDA Approves First COVID-19 Vaccine

The FDA has approved the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, which will now be marketed as Comirnaty, for the prevention of COVID-19 disease in individuals 16 years of age and older.

National Vaccine Research Study for Transplant Recipients

A new research study is being held to determine COVID-19 antibody levels in transplant recipients who get the COVID-19 vaccine. Enrollment of transplant recipients for this observational study is now open!

Watch COVID-19 vaccines for people with inherited mutations by FORCE

Cancer Support Community Podcast - Spotlight on Coronavirus: Vaccines

NCCN: Cancer and COVID-19 Vaccination Guidance

Letter of Authorization

Fact Sheet for Healthcare Providers Administering Vaccine

Fact Sheet for Recipients and Caregivers

Press Release

Policy Statement: Dissemination of Non-scientific and Misleading COVID-19 Information by Nurses

AONN+ is inclusive of all types of oncology navigators and those who work around them to provide a network for collaboration, leadership, and development of best practices for the improvement of patient access to care, evidence-based cancer treatment, and quality of life. In response to COVID-19 misinformation being spread, we are sharing this policy brief and, although it is aimed at nurses, it can be applicable to all who serve patients. The purpose is to help inform and educate all nurse and patient navigators and the public about the need for healthcare professionals to uphold the highest standards of ethics when it comes to representing their profession.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Navigation Resources

• Elite Learning Offers Support for Nurses’ Well-Being https://www.HopeforNursing.com Elite Learning is offering a free learning opportunity for nurses, providing advice from experts and tips and tools to support your well-being while taking on the burdens of the COVID-19 pandemic.
• COVID Cancer Care https://www.covidcancercare.com/
  The COVID-19 pandemic has been a stressful time for people with cancer and, in the best of times, has been a challenge for many to find psychological support to help deal with stress and anxiety. COVID Cancer Care is an app that helps people with cancer learn to manage stress and anxiety during this pandemic. It incorporates the principles of cognitive behavioral stress management that have been used in research studies and clinical settings.
• COVID-19 and Communities of Color: Implications for Health Literacy
  This webinar was sponsored by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. The archived webinar looks at how the pandemic affected vulnerable populations and how some organizations operated to overcome barriers to care.
• Alliance for Health Policy http://www.allhealthpolicy.org/covid-19-webinar-series-page/
  The COVID-19 Webinar Series was launched in March 2020 to provide healthcare professionals and policymakers with comprehensive insights into the status of our pandemic response and to present solution-focused conversations about remaining gaps in the system that must be addressed moving forward. There are 22 webinars that can be listened to as it was recorded or accessed via a transcript. Some of the topics that may interest navigators are:
• • Advancing Mental Health During the Pandemic and Beyond
  • Health Inequities: Addressing the Disease Burden in Black, Indigenous, and People of Color Communities
  • The Role of Medicaid
  • Rural Health System Response
  • Social Isolation and Loneliness
  • Flattening the Curve

Prevention Tips for Patients with Cancer

Reduce Patient Fears

Supporting Patient Navigation in Times of Uncertainty

• Resuming Cancer Screening and Care during COVID-19 https://www.facs.org/quality-programs/cancer/coc/resuming-care
  The Commission on Cancer (CoC) has partnered with the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, American Cancer Society, and other leading organizations to provide a toolkit for encouraging a safe return to screenings. CoC is also urging accredited institutions to participate in a QI project related to increasing patient screenings in 2021.
• Based on Science: Answers to Common Questions About COVID https://www.nationalacademies.org/based-on-science
  National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine provides answers to everyday science and health questions. The latest topic draws on the knowledge of the country’s top experts to provide up-to-date, evidence-based information to answer questions related to COVID-19 that affect daily decision-making. Available in Spanish.
• The National Academy for State Health Policy (NASHP) https://www.nashp.org/policy/population-health/covid-19/
  NASHP maintains a COVID-19 State Action Center that includes information about state actions on COVID issues such as testing, data collection, vaccine allocation, links to state documents. For example, the chart on state plans for vaccination includes links to the state plan documents. This can help navigators answer patient questions in this fast pace changing landscape.
• The Association of Community Cancer Centers (ACCC) https://www.accc-cancer.org/home/news-media/coronavirus-response
  ACCC has compiled a library of COVID-19 resources, including webcasts, mini-podcasts, and toolkits to help the multidisciplinary cancer care team to stay informed.
• A Helping Hand: Resources for People with Cancer https://www.cancercare.org/helpinghand/
  The Helping Hand program is a searchable national database of local resources and programs for patients and their families. One can search by zip code, type of cancer, and type of support needed for cancer patients.
• Cancer Support Helpline https://www.cancersupportcommunity.org/find-support/cancer-support-helpline
  The Cancer Support Helpline is staffed by counselors and resource specialists who have over 170 years of combined experience helping people affected by cancer. They are available to provide emotional support as well as information and referral to local, regional and national resources to anyone impacted by a cancer diagnosis.
• Patient Access Network (PAN): COVID-19 Treatment and Prevention Fund to provide $300 of direct financial relief to qualifying Medicare beneficiaries with cancer
  PAN Foundation launches COVID-19 Treatment and Prevention Fund to help Medicare beneficiaries pay for treatment, groceries, and other critical services. PAN will provide a $300 grant to qualifying Medicare beneficiaries with cancer, and chronic or rare diseases who have also been diagnosed with COVID-19 or directed to self-quarantine by their healthcare provider or a government agency. The COVID-19 Treatment and Prevention Fund is currently open for applicants who have annual household incomes up to 400% of the federal poverty level. Eligible patients can learn more about the fund at panfoundation.org or by calling PAN at 1-866-316-7263 from Monday through Friday, 9 am to 7 pm ET.
• CancerCare https://www.cancercare.org/coronavirus
  Coronavirus (COVID-19) resources offered include telephone and online support services with master’s-prepared oncology social workers to help patients affected by the coronavirus and cancer and their caregivers better cope with emotional, practical, and financial concerns. They also offer counseling (1:1 by phone), support groups (phone; online), financial assistance for ALL patients, and educational workshops (1-hour educational cancer workshops over the telephone or online).
• Community Oncology Alliance (COA) https://communityoncology.org/patient-assistance-transportation-program/
  The program from COA and CancerCare will provide complimentary, door-to-door transportation for patients with cancer who need assistance getting to and from medical appointments with their community oncology practice during the COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) pandemic.
• American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) https://www.asco.org/asco-coronavirus-information
  For COVID-19, ASCO is regularly updating patient, provider, and practice information, and related regulatory changes. This is a professional group that sets oncology standards of care and offers opportunities for lifelong learning for oncology professionals, cancer research, and access to quality cancer care through a global network of oncology experts.
• National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) https://www.nccn.org/covid-19
  COVID-19 “boots on the ground” resources from cancer centers that are located at epicenters of the coronavirus outbreak across the United States are available here, including examples of policies, fact sheets, patient scheduling, and other practical, immediately useful, guidance. Their disease-specific practice standards are crucial in navigating the best care for patients.
• American College of Surgeons (ACS) https://www.facs.org/covid-19
  “COVID-19 and Surgery” is an online resource for both the surgical community and healthcare professionals facing the impact of COVID-19. This site focuses on best practices and guidance, targeting the concerns and challenges surgeons face. The website is updated several times a week. One of the few sites that has an Ethical Considerations page with guiding principles to help healthcare professionals in their decision-making process during the crisis.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html
  Comprehensive general information on COVID-19 with a unique “self-checker” tab to help people make decisions about seeking the appropriate medical care during this crisis. This is detailed information on protecting oneself, symptoms, community care, and advice for all healthcare and public heath individuals. Updated daily at 4 pm on cases in the United States.
• World Health Organization (WHO) https://www.who.int/health-topics/coronavirus
  An international COVID-19 site with information on how to protect yourself, advice for the public, myth busters, and a robust questions-and-answers section. International situation report released at 4 am EDT daily, and recorded media briefings on COVID-19. Contains a document that highlights the rights and responsibilities of healthcare workers, including the specific measures needed to protect occupational safety and health.

• Phone/online counseling: https://www.cancercare.org/
  The patient or caregiver has a choice to speak individually with professional oncology social workers or to connect with others in support groups. This site provides free counseling offered in English and Spanish.
• Mentor: https://imermanangels.org/
  Through a unique matching process, Imerman Angels partners individuals seeking cancer support with a “Mentor Angel” for one-on-one relationships to inspire hope and offer the chance to ask personal questions from someone who is uniquely familiar with the experience. English- and Spanish-speaking mentors are available.
• Young patients’ resources:
  • Livestrong https://www.livestrong.org/
    Adolescents and young adults have very specific concerns and needs when faced with a cancer diagnosis. This is the time when they want to meet others, focus on school, and start a family. Connect for answers on this site.
  • Stupid Cancer https://stupidcancer.org/
    Stupid Cancer offers a lifeline to the adolescent and young adult cancer community by connecting them to age-appropriate resources and peers who understand their journey. Their mission is to empower adolescents and young adults affected by cancer by ending isolation and building community.
  • Elephants and Tea https://elephantsandtea.com/
    Elephants and Tea is a media company for adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer patients and survivors written by AYA cancer patients and survivors. The elephant in the room is cancer, and the tea is the relief that conversation provides.
  • GRYT Health https://grythealth.com/
    Through GRYT, people affected by cancer can connect to others with similar experiences as well as to tailored information that helps users become more aware of options specific to their needs or diagnosis—empowering them to make choices that are right for them.
  • Cancer Dudes https://cancerdudes.org/
    With a scarcity of resources geared specifically to men’s unique needs, Cancer Dudes was created to provide education and resources for men to successfully move past their cancer experience.
  • Lacuna Loft (age 18-45 years) https://lacunaloft.org/
    Lacuna Loft is an organization providing online support programs to young adult cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers. This organization offers diverse online programs regardless of diagnosis and regardless of where they live with survivorship support is available, accessible, and specifically designed for young adults facing cancer.
  • Well Beings Studio http://wellbeings.studio/
    Well Beings Studio creates arts-based resources and experiences to support the emotional well- being and open communication of children, youth, and families going through cancer, other traumas, and hardships. They offer virtual workshops, blogs for parents to help them address and discuss the emotional responses of children to the changing environment, and other creative ways focused on “READ, FEEL, CREATE, HEAL together.”

• Serious Illness Conversatons https://seriousillnessconversations.org/
  Serious Illness Conversations is designed by Palliative Care health care professionals to enable and promote communicate with our patients, families and colleagues. “COVID19 has demanded that staff across settings and geography integrate primary palliative care skills whether answering phones, standing security, disinfecting space, hooking up ventilators, providing treatments and guidance through recovery or death. The following circumstances, words and phrases can never capture the full landscape of experiences, conversations, dilemmas, emotions and thoughts COVID 19 has brought into our worlds. They are a sampling - suggestions that might ease the anxiety of those who “do not know what to say”, raise the voice and compassion of those who provide care as well as inviting the voice of those who are cared for.”
• VitalTalk Conversations http://vitaltalkconversations.com/
  This website has a FREE COVID ready Communication Playbook which provides a compilation of scripts and tips for clinicians to reference during COVID… practical advice on how to talk about some difficult topics related to COVID-19. It is available in 17 languages.

• TEAM RUBICON: Emergency Food Assistance https://teamrubiconusa.org/applynow./
  Team Rubicon is mobilizing volunteers to provide food pick-up and delivery assistance. Patient Advocate Foundation is providing a one-time $500 financial assistance grant to those in need of financial assistance to purchase food.
• On the Financial Frontlines: Navigating Treatment Costs During the Coronavirus Crisis https://tailormed.co/on-the-financial-frontlines-navigating-treatment-costs-during-the-coronavirus-crisis/
  During these turbulent times, patients are concerned about accessing the care they need and personal economic implications, the requirements for social distancing, and widespread uncertainty could make it challenging to meet basic life expenses in addition to the financial toxicity they’ve already experienced. Clara Lambert explores technology, access, and how to stay up-to-date on financial resources.
• Free Airbnb Housing for Frontline Workers
  The Cancer Support Community (CSC), a longtime AONN partner, and Airbnb are connecting COVID -19 frontline health care workers with clean, convenient places to stay that allow them to be close to their patients — and safely distanced from their own families.
  
  This program is for health care workers responding to the COVID-19 crisis. Requests for housing must be made or confirmed by the administrator of the hospital or medical center.
  
  Eligibility and Application Process
  Eligible health care workers may see all the details about the program and apply online: https://bit.ly/2Yzhb1a
  
  They can also call a toll-free number, 844-986-1650, or by send a request via email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
  
  Feel free to share this information with your colleagues providing medical care to people with COVID-19.
• Fund Finder https://fundfinder.panfoundation.org/
  Fund Finder is a resource which can be accessed by both the healthcare professional as well as patients and caregivers to assist with identification of patient assistance programs. This program helps streamline the search for patient assistance programs.
• Breathe Easier Fund
  The Breathe Easier Fund provides emergency funding to patients and families during the COVID-19 crisis by offering $500 grants in financial assistance to eligible patients with lung cancer and their families to support their critical basic needs of food, transportation, and general household bills. Patients can call LUNGevity’s Lung Cancer HELPLine (844-360-5864), a free phone service in partnership with CancerCare, to learn more and apply for support from the Breathe Easier Fund.

Implementation Guide for Rapid Integration of an Outpatient Telemedicine Program During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Smith WR, Atala AJ, Terlecki RP, Kelly EE, Matthews CA, Implementation Guide for Rapid Integration of an Outpatient Telemedicine Program during the COVID-19 Pandemic, Journal of the American College of Surgeons (2020), doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jamcollsurg.2020.04.030.

This team built a toolkit that details 8 essential components to successful implementation of a telemedicine platform: Provider and staff training, patient education, an existing electronic medical record system, patient and provider investment in hardware, billing and coding integration, information technology support, audiovisual platforms, and patient and caregiver participation.

Results: Rapid integration of telemedicine in their practice was required to be compliant with the institution’s COVID-19 Taskforce. Within 3 days of this declaration, their large specialty-care clinic converted to a telemedicine platform and completed 638 visits within the first month of implementation.

CMS Expands Access to Telehealth Benefits During COVID-19 Outbreak

Coronavirus (COVID-19): Meditation, Well-Being, & Mental Health

• Insight Timer https://insighttimer.com/
  This provides free access to a daily meditation practice with more than 45,000 titles to choose from to promote sleep, decrease stress, or relax with music.
• Ten Percent Happier app for FREE by e-mailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  Expert teachers will walk one through the basics of meditation, one breath at a time. Meditation is scientifically proven to lower your stress levels, and this app has guided meditations and practical teachings one can access anywhere.
• Joyful Movement App https://www.joyn.co/
  One can choose how they want to move, whether lying down, seated, or standing, and then for how long—10 minutes to 20 minutes. All bodies deserve to move joyfully so one can create a movement practice that works for their lifestyle.
• Headspace app https://www.headspace.com/
  We live in a time when anxiety is a mental health issue of epic proportion. This is an honest look at how one can accept anxiety, validate it, and engage one’s rational brain.
  
  This Is a Good Time to Stop Fighting Anxiety https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/12/opinion/sunday/anxiety-treatment-therapy.html

Coping with Stress and Isolation Video by Johns Hopkins Medicine

Self Care: Don't Forget About You

Keeping Yourself Healthy

Immune System Boosts

ACS CAN COVID-19 Impact on Cancer Patients and Survivors Survey

ACS CAN Survey Media Release

Coronavirus FAQs for People with Cancer (PDF)

TheoryLab Podcast by the American Cancer Society

What is the Federal Government Doing?

The Top 5 Things You Need to Know About the Coronavirus

Social Distancing versus Quarantine

Proper Handwashing Technique