TO: Ballad Health All
FROM: Ballad Health Corporate Emergency Operations Center
DATE: March 29, 2023
TITLE: Updated Masking Requirements
COVID-19 inpatient cases: 46
COVID-19 patients in ICU: 6
COVID-19 patients on ventilators: 1
COVID-19 pediatric inpatients: 2
Updated Masking Requirements
Effective Monday, April 3, Ballad Health will update its masking policy in anticipation of the May 11 expiration of the federal public emergency declaration related to the COVID-19 pandemic. This memo clarifies when and where team members are required to mask.
- In general, universal masking (source control) will no longer be required in Ballad Health facilities, with the following exceptions:
- By all team members when directly caring for immunocompromised patients, including all Ballad Health Cancer Centers
- By any team member who wishes to mask due to personal preference
- Masks should continue to be worn if a patient requests that the team member mask while providing their care.
- All individuals are expected to continue to comply with all standard and isolation PPE policies and hand hygiene policies.
It is expected that masking guidelines will be updated based on the community transmission of COVID-19. Any changes to guidelines will be communicated to team members from the Ballad Health Corporate Emergency Operations Center (CEOC). Universal masking may be reinstituted at the unit, facility or regional level based on the spread of COVID-19 as recommended by the infection prevention department and CEOC leadership.
Questions
Have a question about vaccines or other COVID-related topics? Contact the Ballad Health Corporate Emergency Operations Center at BalladhealthcorporateEOC@balladhealth.org.
