Dear Colleagues,
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COVID-19 Cases: |
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BMC Total Inpatients |
155 |
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BMC Inpatients Requiring ICU Care |
20 |
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Cumulative Staff Who Have Tested Positive |
2,536 (79 new 1/9-1/11) |
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Massachusetts Cases |
1,305,830 |
Click to see the most up-to-date city, state, and national numbers: Boston | Massachusetts | United States
NEW: COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Workplace Requirement
Based on clinical evidence and our collective responsibility to keep our patients and colleagues safe, Boston Medical Center is following CDC guidance and requiring all employees and LIPs receive a booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. This includes individuals working off-site (at-home, out-of-state, and off-campus), residents, students, interns, vendors, volunteers, and on-site contracted personnel.
In order to meet the compliance requirement, you must receive the COVID-19 booster or an approved exemption by March 28, 2022 in order to maintain employment at BMC. In the event that March 28 is sooner than five months after your second dose of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine or two months after your J&J vaccine, your due date will be the Monday after the date when you become eligible for the booster.
Full compliance includes ensuring that your booster vaccination status is recorded in the Employee Health Portal:
- For anyone who receives – or has already received – their booster dose at BMC and already gave permission for the Working Well Clinic to do a pull of their COVID-19 vaccination status in the first vaccination series, no action is required.
- For anyone who receives – or has already received – their booster dose at BMC and did not give permission for the Working Well Clinic to do a pull of their COVID-19 vaccination status, that permission can be given now in the Employee Health Portal, or a copy of the vaccination record can be uploaded to the Employee Health Portal.
- Anyone who receives or has received their booster dose from somewhere other than BMC must upload a copy of their vaccination record to the Employee Health Portal.
Walk-in booster vaccinations and appointments are both available Monday through Friday 6:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. at the vaccination clinic on the Dowling ground floor. Appointments for BMC and BUMG employees can be scheduled through this link.
Learn more about this requirement on the Hub.
REMINDER: 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. Please 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 and 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.
- If you test positive with an at-home test, you will need to provide documentation by sending a photo of the positive test to COVID19WWC@bmc.org. You must include full your name, date of birth, test date, and phone number. The test will be documented in your medical record.
- The COVID Working Well Clinic will be automatically notified about positive results from tests done at BMC.
- 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: Hotel Accommodations for Staff
To support our staff and providers, we will offer opportunities for accommodations on a limited basis at a local hotel (paid for by the hospital), for those who may be facing one of the following situations.
Cohabitation Related
- Providers and staff who cohabitate with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 and who want to quarantine away from them.
- Providers and staff who cohabitate with someone who is immunocompromised e.g., on immuno-suppressants, active hematologic malignancy.
Work Hours Related
- Providers and staff working long hours with minimal time between consecutive shifts.
This hotel option will be available through the month of January. Each employee is eligible for up to seven days.
To arrange hotel accommodations, contact Ed Crowe at ed.crowe@bmc.org. Please copy your manager on your email.
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 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, a gown, and double gloves for all patient encounters.
Due to the increased demand, BMC Supply Chain Operations will be reviewing and approving supply requisitions for certain PPE items. All supply requisitions should be submitted in BMC's Financial/Supply Chain system, Infor via Requisition Self Service (RSS). Learn more about ordering PPE on the Hub.
NEW: Epic Now Live With Booster Doses for 12-15 Year Olds
Epic has now been updated with information regarding COVID-19 vaccine booster doses for 12-15 year olds. This means that people is this age group who are eligible for a booster will show as eligible, and all other warnings should be followed. In addition, children who are over the age of 12 and had two booster doses at least five months ago will appear as due for a booster in Health Maintenance.
UPDATED: COVID-19 Employee Testing Now in Power Plant Parking Lot
The testing location for employees is now 750 Albany St. in the Power Plant parking lot, across from the Shapiro Building.
- Testing for employees with symptoms 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.
- Asymptomatic testing for direct or indirect exposures and post-travel is available seven days a week. Employees can self-schedule an appointment through MyChart. Testing appointments are available on a first come, first served basis. If you were exposed to a confirmed case of COVID-19, we recommend scheduling your appointment 5-7 days after your date of exposure.
- 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.
UPDATED: Updated Ambulatory Treatment Protocol and Visit Process
Please note that the guidelines for COVID-19 treatment in the Ambulatory setting and the process for COVID-related Ambulatory visits have now been updated. The most recent versions can be found on the COVID-19 clinical resources page on the Hub: