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  • 1.  New CDC guidelines

    Posted 09-26-2022 13:45

    Hello all hope you are all doing well!  Have any of you dove into the new CDC guidelines that were released Friday?  Is anyone changing their masking policy for health care workers in light of these guidelines?  Our CEO is wanting to do away with masks but I am hesitant and am wondering what the community norm is.  The guidance talks about community prevalence and to me basing our policy on this would be a nightmare! Please share your thoughts!

     

    Nancy Mitchell RN

    Infection Prevention /Staff Health  Coordinator

    Santiam Hospital and Clinics

    Email : nmitchell@santiamhospital.org

    Office phone: 503-769-9249

    Cell phone: 503-498-8887

    Santiam Hospital and Clinics Logo

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  • 2.  RE: New CDC guidelines

    Posted 09-27-2022 12:32

    I just pulled CDC posted "Community Transmission" rates for Oregon. The majority of counties are considered "high" so masking in HCF's would still be required. I still need to read through the document to assess potential impact on our current procedures, but I agree, frequent changes back and forth would be a challenge. I don't think our leadership is open to making any masking or screening changes until after the winter respiratory viral season. Despite, we will take into account the community standard for the metro area.

    Mary

     

    Mary T. Post, RN, MS, CNS, CIC
    Infection Prevention/Employee Health Coordinator

    Infection Prevention/Employee Health Department

     

    Shriners Children's

    3101 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd.

    Portland, Oregon 97239

    Office: 503-221-3714

    Fax:503-294-3246

    mpost@shrinenet.org

    shrinersportland.org

     

     

     


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  • 3.  RE: New CDC guidelines

    Posted 09-28-2022 12:33
    As far as I can tell, ORS 333-019-1011 is still in effect for the state of Oregon, requiring masking in healthcare settings. So even if the CDC says we don't need to mask in the hospital when community transmission is low, we still have follow Oregon rules:  Oregon Secretary of State  

    I would imagine that Oregon will make changes as well - but for now, we still need to follow Oregon law.

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    Connie Jubitz BSN RN
    Mid Columbia Medical Center
    The Dalles, Oregon 97058
    (541)296-7398
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    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: New CDC guidelines

    Posted 12-21-2022 16:14
    You are right Connie, we need to follow the Oregon Law which still requires masking. 
    I would be concern to remove the masking in healthcare setting now when the respiratory illness are so high. 
    I hope that day comes though... it gives me goose bumps when I think about the negative environmental impact that masks are causing.

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    Katea Bejanu, RN
    Infection Prevention Coordinator
    Bend Surgery Center
    P: (541) 318-0858
    Ext: 6813
    kbejanu@bendsurgery.com
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    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: New CDC guidelines

    Posted 09-28-2022 11:02
    I am meeting with our CEO this morning. Our community transmission rates are not in the HIGH  category, so we will be changing our policy based on the new guidelines. I do, also have an email out to PH to see if OHA is changing their guidance as well.

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    Sarah Pachal
    Infection Preventionist
    Bay Area Hospital |1775 Thompson Road | Coos Bay, OR 97420
    Phone: 541-269-8455 | Fax: 541-266-7835
    Sarah.Pachal@bayareahospital.org
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    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: New CDC guidelines

    Posted 09-28-2022 11:27
    CDC provided some recommendations on how to operationalize guidance based on community transmission levels on an FAQ page: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/faq.html#Infection-Control

    Here is a snippet for the following question: When should healthcare facilities make changes to interventions based on changes in community transmission levels?

    Some CDC infection prevention and control recommendations for healthcare settings are based on Community Transmission levels. In general, healthcare facilities should consider checking their local Community Transmission level weekly. When a healthcare facility's Community Transmission level increases and the increase results in a change in the recommended interventions, the new interventions should be implemented as soon as possible. When a healthcare facility's Community Transmission levels decrease into a category that corresponds with relaxation of an intervention, facilities should consider confirming the reduction is sustained, by monitoring for at least two weeks, before relaxing the intervention.
    Original Message