We are Prepared for the Future

 

As we head into the fall and face the potential of a second COVID-19 surge, we know that we’re prepared and ready to handle whatever comes our way.

That’s because UMMS is Home of the Brave. Your determination, commitment and resilience carried us through the first wave of the pandemic. And as a System, we have worked to strengthen our protocols and establish new strategies so that we are ready to face a second surge with courage and confidence.

We’d love to hear your thoughts on what makes you feel prepared for the fall. Your comments may appear in a future COVID-19 communication!

In This Together

From the very beginning, we recognized the importance of working together as One UMMS.

While each of us have individual strengths, we are stronger together. That’s why we created the first-ever UMMS Incident Command Structure (ICS) to guide our COVID-19 response.

The ICS allowed each organization to more efficiently work towards our shared goals: prioritizing the safety of our employees while never compromising the world-class care and dedication we show to our patients and our communities.

To accomplish this, the ICS has created more than 70 COVID-19 policies from the ground up using a streamlined policy process. The ICS has also adhered to a continual review process to ensure that they address current challenges.

From the Front Lines

UMMS employees have courageously served on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic and protecting our employees remains our top priority.

We’ve also put into place the necessary resources, supplies and tools to handle a second COVID-19 surge.

• The ICS implemented a unified approach to infection prevention/control practices and guidelines, including a universal masking policy, in order to maintain the safest possible environment for work and care.
• Invested in testing capabilities and created a process for faster COVID-19 testing for ED patients and those awaiting time-sensitive surgery. Also launched pilot programs using antigen (rapid) testing to dramatically decrease the time between a COVID-19 test and getting the result.
• In addition to the more than 70 COVID-related policies we’ve created, we’ve also launched Clinical Practice Guidelines to make real-time information available to front-line providers, leading to strong clinical outcomes (i.e. low mortality rates).
• Created a COVID strategic medication stockpile that has a three-month supply of 30 medications key to our COVID response. This is in addition to our normal medication supply, and gives us additional support to make sure we have what we need during the second surge.
• Acquired the necessary PPE to keep our employees safe — despite national shortages — and strive to maintain at least a 10-day supply at each hospital.
  
  An extensive stock of PPE and other supplies at two new warehouses and the development of an internal transportation network to move these supplies to facilities allow us to quickly and efficiently meet System demands.
• Worked with our System Supply Chain teams to source new PPE items and expanded our respiratory protection programs to include reusable respirators, such as Elastomeric Respirators and Clean Space Halos.
• Built a comprehensive COVID-19 data platform with standardized reporting and real-time tracking for beds, patient demographics, supplies and more to allow us to make informed decisions on a timely basis.
• Set up the UMMS Access Center to seamlessly move patients (and supplies and staff) across the System during surges, preventing any one hospital from being overwhelmed. See how this works.
• Created the One UMMS Staffing Pool to enable us to quickly fill key staffing needs across the System.
• Developed a robust telehealth capability that enabled patient appointments, monitoring and evaluation to occur safely. More than 150,000 telehealth patient appointments have occurred across UMMS since March.
• Set up alternate care sites at the Baltimore Convention Center, Lord Baltimore Hotel and UM Laurel Medical Center.
  
  These sites have helped the State of Maryland have access to additional beds and resources for the care of COVID-19 patients, and remain at the ready should we have another surge.
• Aligned with the University of Maryland Baltimore on shared areas of interest, including clinical guidance and research.

Supporting the Wellness of Our Employees and Communities

UMMS employees are the foundation of our COVID-19 response, and we have created many programs, policies, benefits and educational resources to show our commitment to supporting and caring for our employees.

Many of these resources are housed at a dedicated COVID-19 Response employee website, which provides a one-stop source for UMMS COVID-19 information.

• Committed to supporting the physical and mental wellness of all UMMS employees and their families and established an Employee Wellness and Support website with practical tips, resources and support services currently available — both locally and across the state.
• Invested in our workforce through administrative pay and premium pay programs, provided childcare options and paid for COVID-19 care for all employees.
• Provided COVID-19 testing on-demand and onsite for UMMS employees at no cost to the employee, both diagnostic testing for symptomatic employees and serology (antibody) testing.
• Moved thousands of UMMS employees to teleworking-capable status and provided the tools necessary to support remote work.
• Created employee (Home of the Brave) and community (In This Together) campaigns to recognize and reinforce the COVID-19-related efforts and sacrifices our employees are making, as well as to support our communities with important COVID-19 education messaging.
• Enhanced our relationship with our local communities who, in turn, showed their support for our employees and hospitals by donating food and medical supplies and making masks for providers.

Resources to Support You Now – And in the Future

As we prepare to tackle the challenges that lie ahead, we must also remember the lessons that we have learned throughout our COVID-19 response.

Because we know that showing — not just telling — helps in understanding, many of these resources are housed at the Workplace Safety Campaign site. Please feel free to print these flyers and share them on your units!

• Masks are very effective in reducing virus transmission – but they are most effective when everyone wears a mask, including patients and visitors. Masks must be worn correctly covering the mouth and nose.
• We also know that social distancing makes a difference and it’s important for employees to maintain social distances when not in patient areas.
• We now have a better understanding of COVID-19 transmission, allowing us to put together an easy-to-reference fact sheet with information on precautions employees can take to reduce transmission. These recommendations are based on the understanding that transmission is more likely to occur as a result of close contact with an infected person, as well as in small indoor locations with poor ventilation where aerosols can linger for longer periods and travel over longer distances.
• The UMMS Employee Wellness and Support website is updated regularly with new resources to support you and your family, including more information on the Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
  
  If you need help, please contact your EAP for assistance from a trained mental health professional. This service is confidential and of no cost to our employees.
• It is important that we proactively communicate with UMMS employees as we continue our COVID-19 response. Look for our COVID-19 employee e-mails for regular COVID-19 updates.
  
  UMMS CEO Dr. Mohan Suntha and UMMS COVID-19 Incident Commander Dr. David Marcozzi also provide important updates and answer questions from staff during webinars. You can view an archive of our employee webinar updates as well as videos and other messages from Dr. Suntha.
• Looking for resources to share with your friends and family? We understand the need to provide trusted public education about everything from masks to social distancing to other ways to protect you and your families from COVID-19. We’ve created a site full of COVID-19 education and resources on our UMMS public website.