NOTE: This message was sent from Ballad Health Human Resources to all team members on Monday, March 16.
In an effort to reduce the community spread of COVID-19, we will be implementing screenings for all team members entering Ballad Health facilities and locations effective March 17, 2020.
Each department, in all facilities, including acute care, long-term care, Corporate and Ballad Health Medical Services entities, should identify designated managers, supervisors, charge personnel or others that will conduct daily screening of all team members on all shifts. A log of screenings should be kept at all times.
Screening will include the following questions:
- In the last two weeks have you traveled outside of our region?
- Generally speaking, do you feel well?
- If no, ask about the specific symptoms identified below.
- In the last 24 hours have you experienced any of the following:
- Fever
- Sore throat
- Nasal congestion
- Body aches
- Cough
If the answer to any symptoms is “yes,” and the symptoms are not related to seasonal allergies, team members will wear a mask, continue the scheduled shift and monitor for any other symptoms. If they answer “yes” to fever, take temperature. If team member’s temperature is 100 or above, send the team member home.
If the team member is sent home, send the following to Team Member Health:
- Team member name
- Team member number
- Primary facility/location
- Department
- Team member contact information
Team Member Health will follow the CDC guidelines on levels of risk and exposure to determine who is furloughed and for how long.
For reference: Interim U.S. Guidance for Risk Assessment and Public Health Management of Healthcare Personnel with Potential Exposure in a Healthcare Setting to Patients with Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) – https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/guidance-risk-assesment-hcp.html
Depending on the level of widespread community spread, additional direction will be communicated to escalate the screening of all team members to include temperature.
If team members are sent home, they will use Major Medical Leave (MML) from day one through the time period identified by Team Member Health as their return to work date.
