COVID-19 Employee Update

Dear Colleagues:

 

COVID-19 (Coronavirus) is a rapidly evolving situation; given that, we want to keep you, our UMMS employees and medical staff, as informed as possible. We will be sending you three updates weekly – on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays – to provide timely and relevant information regarding the UMMS approach to addressing our preparedness and response. We will continue doing this as long as necessary. We thank you in advance for your continued hard work and support of our patients, visitors and one another.

 

COVID-19 Update for UMMS Employees and Medical Staff – 3/6/2020

 

Dear Colleagues:

A Message from Dr. Suntha: Update on COVID-19 Response

• In the last 24 hours, the State of Maryland had its first confirmed COVID-19 cases and Governor Larry Hogan declared a state of emergency. Read the latest update from Dr. Suntha to learn more.

 Operational Updates

• An enhanced patient safety policy will soon be implemented across UMMS that will temporarily restrict visitors. Preparedness efforts at the local level are being operationalized based on site and system policy 
• Infection Prevention Reminders:
  • All influenza-like illness (ILI) and acute respiratory infection (ARI) patients should be placed in droplet and contact precautions. 
  • Persons under investigation (PUI): ensure all staff are familiar with protocols for safe donning and removal of personal protective equipment (PPE).
  • Review with your staff: local infection prevention policies related hand hygiene and transmission based precautions.
• Please be sure to wear your badge at all times and ensure any vendors working in your areas are doing the same.

Protect Yourself, Your Family, Our Patients and More

• Perform vigilant hand hygiene – wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer
• Avoid shaking hands, and touching your eyes, nose and mouth, especially after sneezing
• Maintain social distances of 6 feet or more
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces regularly with household cleaning sprays or wipes
• Stay home when you are sick
  

Resources for More Information

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Maryland Department of Health
• 5 COVID-19 Facts You Should Know to Stop the Spread of Rumors

Thank you for your commitment to our patients and to each other. Know that our System-wide incident commanders and chiefs and the local affiliate incident commanders are working in partnership to respond to any developments and we will continue to provide timely updates as the situation warrants.

The UMMS COVID-19 Incident Command Team