Important Information on Masking and Move to Level Yellow
June 03, 2021
Earlier this year, we introduced the UMMS Tiered Approach to Infection Prevention Practices and a new, color-coded Strict Patient Safety (Care Partner) Policy (also see our Visitation Levels Reference Document) to allow us to more predictably and seamlessly adjust our safety measures based on current data, including the rates of new COVID-19 cases at the state and county level, COVID-19 transmission, ICU occupancy, mortality from COVID-19, and vaccination among our workforce and broader communities.
The data above are evaluated weekly by the UMMS Hospital Epidemiology and Infection Prevention team, alongside a review of the preceding week’s rates and stability in trends, to determine if our current status warrants a change in our day-to-day practices.
This week, we are excited to announce that, due to an increase in vaccinations and a decrease in community infection rates, UMMS will move to Phase I of Level Yellow for both our infection prevention practices and our Strict Patient Safety (Care Partner) policy, effective Thursday, June 3.
Because fully vaccinated team members are nearly completely protected against COVID-19 and unlikely to spread the COVID-19 virus, we can now ease our masking requirements for these individuals. This is an exciting step, but we still have a long way to go to get back to an environment in which we can congregate and collaborate without worry.
Specifically, here’s what this means for team members working within an UMMS facility:
- All team members are still required to wear a well-fitting medical face mask for all patient care and clinical activities (e.g., laboratory work) or while in public spaces in UMMS facilities.
- Fully vaccinated team members are not required to wear masks in private spaces limited to UMMS team members, such as meeting rooms or break rooms. This includes private spaces located in hospital buildings and patient care units.
- Unvaccinated team members are required to wear masks at all times when around others, whether in break rooms or meetings.
- Team members may host meetings or gatherings, including in-person professional education, in accordance with the guidance outlined in the UMMS Tiered Approach. There are no restrictions on how many people may gather or meet outdoors. If meeting indoors, there are varying occupancy restrictions depending on the vaccination rate of those who are gathering.
As the scientific data on the efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccines continues to grow, we know that the vaccines are the best tool we have to protect ourselves and others from COVID-19. Every vaccine administered puts us one step closer towards normalcy, and every single one of us has an active role to play in making that happen.
If you have not yet received the vaccine, click here to schedule an appointment today.
If you have any questions about the vaccination rate in your department or unit, please reach out to your manager. They can help you make informed decisions about attending in-person meetings or removing your mask in private spaces. If you have any concerns about compliance with this policy, please submit a report through UMMSafe.
Please note that several practices related to care partner visitation, patient testing, and guidance for in-person gatherings and travel are also addressed in the move to Level Yellow. The following policies will be affected by the shift to Level Yellow, and more information on what you can expect to change in each policy is detailed on the Insider, along with FAQs.
Lastly, we will continue to evaluate COVID-19 data and as more team members receive the COVID-19 vaccine and community infection rates continue to decline, we anticipate lifting additional restrictions as outlined in the Tiered Approach document.
Today’s announcement would not have been possible without your efforts to help end COVID-19. Thank you. If you have not yet chosen to get the COVID-19 vaccine, we encourage you to learn more about the vaccines and click here to schedule an appointment today.
UMB-UMMS Incident Command
Frequently Asked Questions
What information did UMMS review when making the decision to move to Level Yellow? When can I expect additional announcements easing masking restrictions?
We made the decision to move to Level Yellow after carefully reviewing the COVID-19 data and seeing sustained downward trends in community transmission rates, vaccination rates, hospital occupancy rates and other key metrics. The COVID-19 vaccines have played a critical role in reducing the spread of COVID-19, and the growing number of UMMS team members who have received the COVID-19 vaccine helped make today’s announcement possible. We look forward to easing additional restrictions on masking as team member vaccination rates continue to increase. If you have not yet received the vaccine, click here to schedule an appointment today.
How do I know who has been fully vaccinated?
Throughout our member organizations, we’ve created a collaborative culture built on mutual respect and a shared commitment to our health care mission. This includes the health and safety of ourselves and our colleagues. The new masking guidance relies on an honor system upheld by each individual team member. If you have been fully vaccinated, you may remove your mask when appropriate. If you have not yet received the COVID-19 vaccine or are partially vaccinated, please continue to wear your mask at all times when around others. If you have any questions about the vaccination rate in your department or unit, please reach out to your manager. They can help you make informed decisions about attending in-person meetings or removing your mask in private spaces.
Am I allowed to ask a colleague if they have been vaccinated?
Please do not ask your colleagues if they have been vaccinated. There are many reasons why an individual may not be vaccinated, some related to medical conditions or religious beliefs. Questioning your coworkers about their vaccination status may put pressure on them to disclose otherwise private information. If you are concerned that a team member may not be adhering to the honor system with regard to masking, please raise the issue with your manager and continue to wear your own mask. Leaders such as service line directors, unit managers, department chairs, and training program directors will have access to team member vaccination information.
Under Level Yellow, are masks still required in break rooms?
It depends. Masks are not required for fully vaccinated team members in private spaces, which includes break rooms and private rooms in hospital buildings and patient care units. Unvaccinated team members should continue to wear a mask at all times when around others. All team members may continue to wear a mask if they prefer.
What is the best practice for scheduling a meeting with others who may or may not be vaccinated?
All in-person meetings must have a virtual meeting option to accommodate our colleagues who are either unvaccinated or have made a personal decision based on their own risks to not gather with others who are unmasked. Meeting and calendar initiations should include the following language: "Attendance in person to this meeting without a mask is optional for vaccinated individuals. Masks must be worn by unvaccinated individuals electing to attend this meeting in person."
Are there any occupancy restrictions that team members should be aware of when scheduling a meeting?
Restrictions depend on the vaccination rate of the team that is gathering. Under Level Yellow, if the vaccination rate is less than 75%, then meetings should be limited to 50% occupancy. If at least 75% of the team members are vaccinated, then there are no restrictions on occupancy. If the vaccination rate is unknown or cannot be determined, then team members should take the most conservative approach in order to provide optimal protection to all attending team members. Leaders such as service line directors, unit managers, department chairs, and training program directors will have access to team member vaccination information to inform occupancy and attendance at in-person meetings and gatherings.
If I am not fully vaccinated and have a private meeting scheduled with vaccinated colleagues, may I take my mask off during the meeting?
No. If you have not yet received the COVID-19 vaccine or are partially vaccinated, please continue to wear your mask at all times when around others, including when in private meetings with vaccinated colleagues. This will ensure that you remain optimally protected against the COVID-19 virus. Conversely, if you are not comfortable attending an in-person meeting with others who are not wearing masks, please consider attending the meeting virtually.
What does Level Yellow mean for care partners visiting our facilities?
Level Yellow allows us to ease our restrictions and expand care partner visits for certain patients. Inpatients who are not suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19 may be visited by one care partner at a time, and care partners may now switch out twice per day. Additional care partners are also permitted for pediatric, labor and delivery, and behavioral health patients as well as patients with disabilities. To better understand what Level Yellow means for your patients and their care partners, please click here to view the UMMS visitation levels reference document.
Are patients and care partners (visitors) still required to wear masks at all times?
Because we care for vulnerable populations, patients and care partners must wear a mask while in an UMMS facility. Cloth masks are permitted, while neck gaiters or masks with exhalation ports are not permitted. If a care partner arrives without a mask, they will receive one at the front entrance (Guest Services or Security) and be required to wear it while in our facilities. If a care partner is staying overnight, they are not required to wear a mask while sleeping.
How does Level Yellow affect COVID-19 testing for patients?
Pre-operative testing is no longer required for fully vaccinated patients who are not immunosuppressed and are presenting for ambulatory surgery, including IR and endoscopy. This is reflected in our Testing Guidance and Expanding Surgical and Procedural Care Access for Patients policies.
What travel guidelines should I be aware of as I plan for summer travel?
Level Yellow of the Tiered Approach states that all non-essential travel and international travel is discouraged for unvaccinated team members. International and domestic travel with precautions is acceptable for vaccinated team members and all team members should continue to follow all applicable federal and state travel-related recommendations for quarantine and testing. Please refer to the full policy for more details.
Why are we still required to wear masks in public spaces even if we’re vaccinated?
It is important to remember that as health care professionals, we care for vulnerable populations who are not or cannot be vaccinated but put their trust in us to provide the safest possible environment. Regardless of vaccination status, it is critical that you continue to wear a well-fitting medical face during patient care or in public spaces within an UMMS facility.