This message is from Tim Friel, MD, Chair, Department of Medicine, and Carol Guanowsky, RN, Director, Employee Health Services.
Updated COVID-19 Precautions for All Colleagues
As recommendations from the Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC) continue to evolve, we remain committed to updating our practices based on the latest guidelines.
While our patient-facing colleagues have been wearing the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) to protect them against the spread of COVID-19 by positive patients, our non-patient facing colleagues have not been required to wear PPE.
For colleagues who do not work in patient-facing roles, wearing a cloth mask continues to be optional. However, for those who choose to wear a cloth mask, it’s vital that you continue to practice proper hand hygiene throughout the workday – including every time that you touch or readjust your mask. Colleagues who opt to wear cloth masks should launder the mask every day.
Remember, wearing a mask helps to reduce the likelihood of infecting others around you if you are infected and experience minimal symptoms.
The CDC provides helpful tips for using cloth face coverings to help slow the spread of COVID-19, including:
- How to wear a face covering
- Answers to frequently asked questions
- Instructions for making safe, effective masks at home
We strongly encourage the use of sewn cloth face coverings, which are more effective than the no sew options.
For those who are unable to make a mask on their own, we have a limited quantity of hand made cloth facemasks generously donated by our community. Please speak with your supervisor if you would like to wear a mask but are unable to make one on your own.
It is imperative that all colleagues continue to follow these precautions:
- Do remain at least six feet apart at work, when possible
- Do remember to wash your hands regularly throughout the day
- Do not come to work if you are sick
- Do not conduct in-person meetings or congregate in groups
- Do not eat with a group unless you can maintain at least six feet distance between one another
These precautions should be followed by all colleagues, including those who work in administrative offices and LVPG practices, even when you are not seeing patients. These practices help ensure we are not exposing each other – colleague to colleague – with the virus.
To protect yourselves and others from the spread of COVID-19, continue to practice social distancing at work and at home, use proper handwashing techniques and wipe down your personal spaces at work, including cubicles, desks, keyboards, phones and more.
It’s important that you continue to monitor yourself for symptoms including fever, cough and shortness of breath. Know the difference between symptoms of COVID-19, flu and seasonal allergies.
If you are sick, stay home. It’s important you know who to contact if you experience symptoms.
If you develop these symptoms at work or from suspected on-the-job exposure, please contact LVHN Employee Health Services.
Here’s how to contact Employee Health Services, Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m.:
- In the Lehigh Valley, call 610-402-8869
- In the Poconos, call 570-476-3779
- In Schuylkill, call 570-621-4351
- In Hazleton, call 570-501-4788
If you develop symptoms at home and do not suspect on-the-job exposure, LVHN is providing free COVID-19 pre-screenings online and by phone.
Here’s how you can be screened:
Thank you for all that you do to keep yourselves and others safe during the COVID-19 outbreak.
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