The CDC no longer recommends universal masking in health facilities.
Once again, we are faced with a changing COVID pandemic situation. This time, however, things are improving! The COVID metrics are improving including transmission, hospitalization and deaths, as we are increasing vaccination and natural immunity. Now is the time to make a change in our behavior to take advantage of the improved status while remaining safe and doing our part to keep the COVID numbers down.
As of 9/26/22, the CDC has relaxed the masking recommendation for healthcare facilities. We have seen changes at the local, state and federal level in terms of what statistics we follow and how to translate that into risk assessment. The most recent change is the CDC risk assessment by US county via composite score. Baltimore Co. is currently “low risk”.
https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/
This is important information to understand as we develop our new policy and integrate into our work environment. Therefore, masks are optional in our facility. Therapists are encouraged to use their best judgment with their patients and will defer to patient preference regarding their use of masks.
Leadership will continue to monitor the CDC risk category assessment and advise staff of procedure changes as required. We should be prepared to change behavior based on risk level at any time, even if those changes require heavier restrictions (going back to mandatory mask use if necessary, for example). COVID metrics and risk status will continue to be tracked and discussed. This will include any changes to restrictions and behaviors.
We will continue to mitigate COVID spread and learn the lessons from the last several years. We still utilize COVID mitigation procedures. They are:
- Support for doing the right thing
-Personal responsibility
-Personal hygiene and cleaning
-Hands/wrists washing
-Keeping our work spaces and equipment clean
-Personal protective equipment
-Masks
- Physical distancing
-Respect for others personal space
-Limits when necessary
-Self-monitoring for signs of illness
Masks will be required for any staff presenting with signs and symptoms of a cold.
Considering all of this, the following is our COVID mitigation policy effective Monday 10/3/2022:
For CDC risk categories low (green) or medium (yellow).
Employees
1. Masks use will continue to be encouraged of all staff in all patient areas or during any face to face patient interactions. Surgical or KN95 masks are preferred.
2. Masks will no longer be required in non-patient areas. Staff are encouraged to use their judgement to mask or not mask in non-patient areas based on their comfort level. We support individual choice.
Patients/Families/Caregivers
1. Mask use is optional.
2. We will not limit the number of caregivers based on COVID concerns.
3. We will not screen patients for COVID symptoms or inquire about their vaccination status when they arrive.
In addition to communicating our internal behavior change, we will be advising our customers of the change and our expectations going forward. This includes patients, families and our health care partners.
As always, please let the management know of any questions or concerns with this policy. We are moving forward as a team and we must all do our part to remain safe and working and striving for the WIN-WIN-WIN vision.