COVID19 Employee Update

Covid-19 Response

April 12, 2020

 

COVID-19 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 updates on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 1 pm, and at other times as needed. We thank you in advance for your continued hard work and support of our patients, visitors and one another.

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Need to Know

  • Get the latest information on our UMMS COVID-19 Response efforts and ask your questions by joining Dr. Mohan Suntha and COVID-19 UMMS Incident Commander Dr. David Marcozzi for their weekly conversation with all UMMS employees this Friday, April 3 from 1-1:45 pm. Join the webcast online by clicking here to see the slide presentation or call in by dialing 1-866-469-3239 and entering access code 624 252 077. Missed last week’s webinar? Watch it here and find the answers to your questions here.
  • Identifying safe and reliable child care solutions is a pressing issue for many of our staff. UMMS is working to secure child care partnerships across the state, available on a first come, first serve basis. The State of Maryland has also released a list of approved child care providers available at no cost to essential employees. See list of child care resources here. Also, print out your essential employee letter that you may need to present to your child care provider. You can also use this letter when travelling to and from work. We will continue to share updates as we secure additional partnerships for UMMS staff.UA Masks
  • Identifying safe and reliable child care solutions is a pressing issue for many of our staff. UMMS has secured several child care partnerships with approved child care providers available at no cost to you. Also, print out your essential employee letter that you may need to present to your child care provider. You can also use this letter when travelling to and from work.
  • Under Armour has started manufacturing personal protective equipment and other supplies -- face shields, face masks and specially equipped fanny packs – for UMMS in support of our COVID-19 response efforts. UA plans to manufacture and distribute 500,000 fabric face masks and assemble 50,000 specially equipped fanny packs with much-needed supplies for personal preparedness kits for UMMS employees.
  • In an effort to keep our employees and their families safe and reduce the spread of COVID-19, we have extended our telework policy for all non-clinical staff whose work responsibilities allow them to work remotely through the end of April. See our telework FAQs and telework resources toolkit to learn more.
  • To further protect our staff and patients, as of March 31, 2020 employees will be asked to confirm that they are not experiencing two or more flu-like symptoms before clocking in via Kronos. Those employees who are experiencing two or more symptoms, are asked not to work, and to return home after contacting their manager and calling Employee Health. There will be a sign next to the Kronos clock with the symptoms, so no need to touch the clock if you are sick. 
  • UMMS will now cover all medical expenses incurred as a result of COVID-19 for all members of the Employee Health Plan. This coverage applies to all medical services related to COVID-19 provided on or after February 4, 2020 and continuing throughout the duration of the public health crisis.
  • You are on the frontlines of our COVID-19 Response, dealing with unprecedented challenges and stressful situations. We want you to know that your hard work is being noticed and celebrated throughout our communities. Thank you for being a hero to our friends, family and neighbors.

Good to Know

  • Have COVID-19 Questions? We have answers. Hundreds of them, to questions you asked on topics ranging from staffing to screening and testing to personal protective equipment to COVID transmission and HR policies.
  • Trying to find a certain UMMS COVID-19 policy or guideline? Accessing them all is just a click away. Bookmark this page, as we are regularly adding new policies that detail the steps we are taking to respond to this virus.
  • Holding blood drives and donating blood is very important to make sure we have the blood we need for patient care. A few notes on that related to the Governor's stay at home order: UMMS hospitals are permitted to proceed with blood drives in an effort to provide essential health care during the COVID-19 emergency; blood donors are considered critical health care workers; it's OK for donors to travel to give blood; finally, donors should take their blood drive appointment paperwork with them while travelling to and from the drive. Please do your part and give blood if you are able.
  • In coordination with the UMB, FPI and the Johns Hopkins Health System, UMMS has extended the suspension of all routine appointments for two more weeks, through April 17. This policy will continue to be re-evaluated weekly.

Helpful Resources

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