Important Announcements

Nondiscrimination Policy Update

Boston Medical Center Health System complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, national origin (including limited English proficiency and primary language), religion, culture, physical or mental disabilities, socioeconomic status, sex, sexual orientation and gender identity and/or expression. BMCHS provides free aids and services to people with disabilities and free language services to people whose primary language is not English.

To read our full Nondiscrimination Statement, click here.

Operations and Clinical Update: January 24, 2022

Dear Colleagues,

COVID-19 Cases:

BMC Total Inpatients

88

BMC Inpatients Requiring ICU Care

14

Cumulative Staff Who Have Tested Positive

 2,770 (53 new since 1/20)

Massachusetts Cases

 1,442,661

Click to see the most up-to-date city, state, and national numbers: Boston | Massachusetts  | United States

REMINDER: Mask and PPE Information for Employees and LIPs

All employees and LIPs must continue to follow BMC’s PPE guidelines, including wearing masks in all administrative/non-clinical and clinical areas of campus buildings, regardless of vaccination status.

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. When fit correctly, surgical masks and KN masks provide a strong level of protection for wearers. 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.

REMINDER: Updating Patient COVID-19 Status for Tests Done Outside of BMC

With many patients doing at-home testing or testing at sites outside of BMC, it is important to note their current COVID-19 status if we become aware of these test results.

  • Testing done at other Epic institutions will be automatically reconciled into the patient’s chart.
  • For other results, after confirming the type, date, and result with the patient, please enter the external result into Epic using the process found here. Be sure to choose the appropriate result depending on whether the test was PCR or antigen.

External COVID-19 tests added by clinicians will be visible to anyone reviewing the chart, and will trigger the red “COVID banner” in their chart. The banner will self-resolve after 20 days.

REMINDER: Changes to Weekend Employee COVID-19 Testing Location

COVID-19 testing for employees will be available on Saturday and Sunday through the end of January at the 710 Albany St. garage, across Albany St. from the Talbot building. Employees can go to this location between 7:30 a.m. and noon for both symptomatic and asymptomatic testing, no appointment necessary. Both drive-through (via the garage) and walk-through (via the street level entrance) options are available.

Weekday symptomatic and asymptomatic testing will continue in the Power Plant parking lot. Please visit the Hub for hours and more details, including how to schedule a testing appointment.