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11/05/20 bs Masking Requirements
November 9, 2020

From: "Berkley Sykes" <berkley.sykes@hhsys.org>
To: "Pharmacy Department" <grp_pharmacy@hhsys.org>
Sent: Thursday, November 5, 2020 3:36:30 PM
Subject: masking requirements

The hospital is experiencing clusters of outbreaks that are being attributed to crowding in breakrooms and parties outside of work. Groups of PUI or positive employees puts a strain on staffing and caring for patients, so please continue to keep your distance (especially when eating and not wearing a mask), wear your mask at work and out in the community, and use common sense when attending events. 

Universal Masking Is Still Required Hospital Wide. Cross check each other and if you see someone out of compliance, remind them to wear their mask. 

In the community, Gov. Ivey extended the statewide mask mandate to December 11, but loosened restrictions for businesses which will increase the potential for crowding in the community. 

A household or "shared space" exposure without a mask requires a 7-day quarantine and a negative test in order to return to work, even if you are asymptomatic. A resulting positive test due to this type of exposure requires an additional 10-day quarantine. Many people do not have an option to work from home and are forced to take weeks of ETO that they may not have. Some exposures can't be helped, but others can... be smart about where you go, who you are around, if you and others are wearing masks and/or keeping your distance. When a situation can or should be controlled, please do your best to keep yourself safe, and in turn, protect those around you. 

In our hospital, Jeff Samz has issued a very simple guide to masking requirements:

So when should you wear a mask??

• Anytime you are in a public area of the hospital.  
• Anytime you are in a clinical area of the hospital.
• As soon as you enter the building.
• Anytime you cannot maintain social distance from your co-workers, including in administrative areas, lounges, offices, and break rooms.  
• This means you should maintain social distance when you have lunch because you cannot eat with a mask on.
• This also means that staff working in non-clinical areas and off campus buildings (the Plaza, the Cochran Center, etc) must maintain social distance or wear a face covering. 
• If you are indoors and near another person, you should be wearing a face covering.

Masks with Outflow Valve, per Jeff Samz:

These masks have a one way valve in them that make it easier for the wearer to exhale while still protecting the wearer by filtering inhalation.  The concern raised by these masks is that the exhaled air is not filtered and reduces the protection the mask offers to those around the wearer.

If you choose to wear one of these masks, it should be covered by a procedural mask anytime you are providing patient care, anytime you are with a visitor or caregiver, and anytime you are in close proximity to your co-workers.  We understand that these masks – particularly those that provide N95 filtration – can be more comfortable to wear, but they must be covered for everyone’s protection.   If using one, please take this additional step to protect your patients and co-workers.

Finally, if you bring a (outflow valve) mask from home (or plan to purchase one) that you plan to wear in patient care situations and you have any questions about how it should be used or if it meets our requirements, please contact infection control at 5-2745 to double check.