Shared on behalf of Jennifer Wintermans, VP, Quality and Corporate Affairs, COVID-19 Lead, and Adam Vinet, VP, Patient Experience and Chief Nursing Executive, Regional VP, Cancer Care Services
Effective, Friday, August 5th, our Hospital will be moving its internal COVID-19 Pandemic Response Level from Yellow (Protect) to Orange (Restrict).
This decision was made based on increasing numbers of COVID-19 cases within our community and the increase in outbreaks within high-risk setting within our region. In addition, over the last week there has been an increase in the amount of patients with COVID-19 in our Hospital. These factors have resulted in the decision to change our response level in order to decrease the amount of movement in our Hospital and maintain a safe environment.
Moving into Level Orange (Restrict) will affect the following response activities and Hospital operations:
- Surgical Service Levels: Surgical services will remain at 90% of pre-COVID-19 levels and continue to be monitored.
- Emergency Department Precautions: N95 masks required when treating patients that fail screening or require Airborne and droplet precautions. All staff are required to wear Level 3 procedure mask and eye protection while on unit. Retrieve scrubs from pandemic storage if required.
- Testing all new Admissions: Remains status quo and will be re-evaluated in the coming weeks.
- Education and Simulation: No learner restrictions. All education on COVID-19 to new staff will continue.
- Masking: Continues to be mandatory for all except for when eating or within a private office. Level 3 masking remains required at all times.
- Eye Protection: Mandatory eye protection is required in all patient care areas and in circumstances where face to face contact occurs (less than two metres) with no structural shielding in place.
- Physical Distancing: Mandatory physical distancing of two metres.
- In-person Meetings: In person meetings should be minimalized. If in person meetings need to occur, masking and eye protection must be worn when unable to keep two metres apart. All meeting spaces will be reviewed to determine if extra lunch spaces are required.
- Contractors and Vendors: Essential and high priority contractors and technical support and essential vendors will be permitted. General suppliers and general sales people should not present on site.
- Remote Work: Continue at the discretion of the program/department.
- Essential Care Partners and Care Partners: Follow ECP guidelines for Level Orange. Further information on ECP restrictions will also be communicated out to the community to ensure guidelines are abided by.
All response activities are evaluated on an ongoing basis to ensure they are effective and appropriate by Senior Leadership Council and leaders across the organization.
Staff are reminded to complete the screening tool prior to each shift, practice hand hygiene and wear PPE appropriate for the work environment.
We thank everyone for their continued cooperation and dedication to keeping our Hospital and community safe.
All Hospital COVID-19 updates, memos and resources are also available on the iNtranet at https://comms.tbrhsc.net/covid-19-information/.