In the spirit of keeping all colleagues, patients and visitors as safe as possible and maintaining compliance with COVID-19 Policies and Safety Measures, please remember that failure to comply with following the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) rules puts others at risk of infection. Consistent use of PPE use is one of the best ways to protect against infection. Please continue to do your part to minimize the risk of transmission.
Eye Protection
· ALL individuals in direct patient care areas interacting with patients must wear eye protection. Personal eyeglasses do not provide enough protection. Goggles or a face shield must also be worn.
· To provide for personal comfort and preference, colleagues are permitted to bring their own American National Standards Institute (ANSI) certified goggles to work. All OSHA-approved safety glasses must have markings specified by the American National Standards Institute’s ANSI Z87. 1-2010 standard on both the lenses and the frame of the eyewear piece. If the lenses are Impact Rated, they also should have the manufacturer’s mark, followed by a “+” sign”. Please note that the Employee Health Office must approve all PPE brought in and used by colleagues.
Masks
· Colleagues and patients are best protected when both parties are wearing a mask. Please remind / ask patients to apply a facemask any time someone enters their room.
· Masks must be worn by all colleagues/physicians working in our hospital and across our care network before exiting vehicle unless alone at their workspace or enclosed office more than six feet away from other colleagues or while they are eating or drinking.
Masks for the General Population
As indicated by the COVID-19 regional positivity rate, COVID-19 is still a threat to compromising community wellness. The incidence of COVID-19 cases among colleagues is attributed to exposure outside of our ministry where many members of the general public have greatly relaxed taking precautionary safety measures.
As health care colleagues, it is critical that we remain mindful and diligent in maintaining safety practices beyond our ministry walls. While the masking recommendations have changed for the general public, we strongly encourage colleagues to continue wearing a mask when in public settings. Doing so will help colleagues minimize the risk of contracting COVID-19 and thereby an influx of infection among colleagues which will impact our operations.
There are no changes to current masking guidance for St. Joseph’s Health locations, including in settings where health care services are not delivered.
Screening
· The Certify screening questions have changed system wide. The New York State requirement to log temps on site has not changed and the Certify screening tool is an easy way to support this initiative.
· If you have not done so already, please immediately register for the Certify screening tool and use it upon entry prior to your shift.
· Click here or visit the COVID resource page for instructions on how to register. If you do not have a smart phone, the main lobby has a manual process to screen and document colleague participation. When arriving to work, please plan for enough time to wait in line to be screened prior to your shift.