TO: Ballad Health All
FROM: Ballad Health Corporate Emergency Operations Center
DATE: Monday, Oct. 10, 2022
TITLE: Guidance on masking
Thank you for reviewing the memo sent last week regarding guidance on masking.
Over the weekend, we received questions from various leaders requesting clarification or further guidance on our updated masking guidance.
It is important to note that this is the current guidance and expectation. However, any department/patient care area may have more stringent masking requirements for protecting patients/team members as determined by the department leadership in collaboration with Infection Prevention (for example: for immunosuppressed patients, COVID-19/influenza outbreak, etc.).
Frequently asked questions
Q: What is the general expectation for team members working in acute settings?
A mask is to be worn in ALL direct patient encounters. Examples include but are not limited to in hospital rooms, patient exam rooms, procedure rooms, when transporting a patient in the hallway, emergency registration departments, and waiting rooms in physician practices where patients are presenting with respiratory illness.
Masks must be worn by all team members working in “OPEN ROOM” patient care areas, including, but not limited to, cardiac rehabilitation, physical therapy gyms, and behavioral health patient care areas.
Q: What is the general masking expectation for patients and visitors in acute and ambulatory settings?
Patients/visitors are not required to wear masks as a rule except for emergency departments, cancer centers, and other areas as determined with appropriate signage posted UNLESS they have a respiratory illness where masking is required. Visitors with respiratory illness/symptoms of COVID-19 or influenza should not visit our facilities even if they wear a mask unless specific arrangements are made with the Ballad Health leadership team.
Q: Are non-vaccinated team members still required to wear masks in non-patient areas?
Individuals without proof of COVID-19 or influenza vaccination must always mask during all interactions with other individuals (except when eating/drinking in a separate location, by themselves).
Q: If a team member has not had their flu vaccine, do they need to wear a mask while working in an office environment where no patients or visitors are present?
The same expectation exists for non-vaccinated influenza team members; these team members must wear a mask when around other individuals/patients for the duration of flu season (Nov. 1 through March 31). If an unvaccinated individual is alone in an office, they can remove their mask.
Q: Are masks still required in the classroom setting?
Masks are recommended in the classroom setting with close contact. If an individual is in a classroom setting and is not vaccinated for COVID-19 or influenza, they must wear a mask.
Q: How does this impact the outpatient area – specifically cardiac rehab, where team members work with patients in a large open space, but patients are exercising? Are masks required?
As mentioned above – open areas require our team members to mask when patients are in the open room/area.
Q: How does the new masking policy affect the cancer centers with immunosuppressed patients? Do they need to continue to wear masks, or are they included in the new policy?
The policy applies to all patient care encounters – team members must wear a mask to protect patients in all patient encounters. Patients should wear masks in this setting in patient care areas and waiting rooms.
Q: Do you have any additional guidance for our outpatient clinics?
Patients are not expected to mask unless they present with respiratory symptoms in physician practice locations; this includes in the waiting room and the exam room. Team members must mask during direct patient encounters.
Additionally, team members in administrative areas (without direct patient contact) that are vaccinated, will not be required to wear masks.
Other questions?
Have a question about vaccines, the BA.5 variant or other COVID-related topics? Contact the Ballad Health Corporate Emergency Operations Center at BalladhealthcorporateEOC@balladhealth.org.
