Dear Colleagues,
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COVID-19 Cases: |
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BMC Total Inpatients |
126 |
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BMC Inpatients Requiring ICU Care |
18 |
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Cumulative Staff Who Have Tested Positive |
2,457 (191 new since 1/5) |
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Massachusetts Cases |
1,247,123 |
Click to see the most up-to-date city, state, and national numbers: Boston | Massachusetts | United States
NEW: Self-Clear Process for Employees Tested for COVID-19
Similar to other hospitals, BMC has implemented a “self-clear” protocol for staff who receive positive COVID test results with or without symptoms. If you were tested for COVID-19 at BMC or took an at-home test that showed a positive result, please follow the below process, which is also posted on the Hub.
If your at-home or at BMC test is negative and you don’t have symptoms, report to work as normal. If your test is negative and you have symptoms, please speak with your manager about taking sick time. Do not come to work if you aren’t feeling well.
If your COVID-19 results are positive (from an at-home test or testing site):
- Stay home from work to self-isolate for at least five days (five full 24-hour periods) after the positive test or the onset of symptoms, whichever is less. Notify your manager that you need to stay home and remain out of work until you meet the criteria to return to work.
- Employees and LIPs can self-clear to return to work when eligible. You do not need clearance from the COVID Working Well Clinic to return to work.
- When you self-clear, please email COVID19WWC@bmc.org to let the team know that you have self-cleared.
- A negative test is not required to return to work, as COVID-19 tests may remain positive after people are no longer infectious to others.
REMINDER: COVID-19 Employee Testing Now in Power Plant Parking Lot
As of today, Monday, January 10, the testing location for employees has moved to 750 Albany St. in the Power Plant parking lot, across from the Shapiro Building.
- Testing for employees with symptoms or exposure to a confirmed case of COVID-19 is available seven days a week by appointment only. If you have symptoms of COVID-19, please do not report to work. Email COVID19WWC@bmc.org to schedule a testing appointment.
- Testing for indirect exposures and post-travel for asymptomatic employees is available seven days a week. Employees are strongly encouraged to self-schedule an appointment through MyChart.
- Asymptomatic testing for other reasons: Employees are strongly encouraged to self-schedule an appointment through MyChart.
If you are an existing BMC patient and do not have a MyChart account, click here to register. More information on scheduling testing can be found on the Hub.
REMINDER: Follow all PPE Guidelines for Patient Care
All employees and LIPs must continue to follow BMC’s PPE guidelines, especially as COVID-19 cases rapidly increase among our patients and health care workers.
For the care of COVID-19-negative patients, our Infection Control and ID teams have approved the use of either a well-fitting surgical mask or a KN mask that the hospital has purchased, as well as protective eyewear and gloves. KN masks are available in patient care areas for those who have difficulty with the fit of surgical masks.
The key element for masks is optimal fit. Visit the Hub for a list of BMC-approved ways to ensure your mask fits properly, including “ear savers,” which are now available to staff in patient care areas.
For the care of COVID-19-positive patients, please continue to wear an N95 mask, face shield/protective eyewear, a gown, and double gloves for all patient encounters.
Please do not routinely wear N95 masks for patient care of non-COVID-positive patients.
In addition, we ask that you encourage patients to wear their masks properly as well.
NEW: BMC Clinical Spaces Moves
As of January 10, the following clinical space changes are active:
- Moakley 2 endoscopy unit (pre-and-post procedure area) has converted to Moakley Med/Surg B, currently a 12 bay inpatient unit.
- Patients having CT/US IR procedures, cardiac CTAs, and Pedi sedation have moved to Menino 2 pre-op bays 11-17.
- Menino 1 radiology holding has converted to an Emergency Department pod with the name Men Rad Hold ED.
NEW: Physical Distancing and Meeting Recommendations from Infection Prevention
Due to the rapid spread of the Omicron variant, BMC’s Infection Prevention team now recommends the following measures:
- Conduct meetings via a virtual platform whenever possible.
- If an in-person meeting must take place, it should be limited to 10 individuals who are consistently masked and distanced at least three feet apart.
- Eating and drinking should be limited to spaces in which you can stay at least six feet away from other individuals.
- If you have a shared office, workroom, or cubicle, please remain masked for the entire time you’re in these spaces, and eat and drink in separate areas.
NEW: Updated Clearance Guidance for Patients on Quarantine Status
Taking into account new information regarding the shorter incubation times of more recent strains of the COVID-19 virus, inpatients on quarantine status who remain asymptomatic can now receive a nasopharyngeal PCR test on day five after last exposure and be removed from isolation if this test is negative. If symptoms appear after day five, patients should still be tested and isolated as appropriate.
If a patient tests positive while on quarantine status for COVID-19 exposure, they will convert to COVID confirmed status and their 10 day isolation period will begin at the time of the positive test. There is no change in the duration of isolation for known COVID-positive inpatients. Please refer to the isolation removal guidance for categories of patients that require longer isolation.
As a reminder, the quarantine status designation can be accessed by providers from the Epic COVID banner on any patient with the “non-COVID” blue square. The quarantine banner will automatically resolve 10 days after the date you specify, but can be manually removed.