​Occupational Health
 

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH FAQs (Revised July 13, 2020)


COMMUNITY EXPOSURES AND PTO (from email update - Aug. 10, 2020)

QUESTION: I went to a friend’s birthday party and now I’m positive for COVID-19 and need to quarantine. I don’t want to use my PTO because I’m saving it for the holiday season. Is it okay if I just take this time UNPAID or do I have to use my PTO?

ANSWER: Yes, you can take this time as UNPAID. When any employee is quarantined from a community exposure, the employee can CHOOSE to take the time they are quarantined and off work as UNPAID time, OR they can use their PTO balance. It is the employee’s choice.

 

QUESTION: I traveled abroad and now Occ Health told me I have to quarantine. Prior to my travels, I was working from home. My boss supports me working from home and I’m able to do my job completely from home. Do I have to take PTO while I’m home quarantining or can I receive my regular pay?

ANSWER: If you are feeling well enough to work your normal job and productivity is not an issue, you can quarantine at home, work your job and you will receive your regular rate of pay. You will NOT have to use your PTO in this situation.

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REVISED S​TEPS FOR RETURNING TO WORK
AFTER EXPOSURE TO COVID-19
Updated July 21, 2020 

There has been a revision to the new 10-day process for when Cook Children’s employees can return to work. Changes are noted in yellow below.

To ensure the health and safety of our employees, patients and families, Cook Children’s has a NEW process in place for when Cook Children’s employees and staff can return to work following a COVID-19 exposure. Here is the information you need to know:

A Cook Children’s employee may return ​to his/her workplace after an Occupational Health exit interview, when one of the following has occurred:

  • Ten (10) days have passed since initial positive COVID-19 test and the employee is still without symptoms; OR
  • A minimum of 10 days have passed since symptoms first appeared, employee is fever-free for up to 72 hours without fever-reducing medications (fever = 100.4 degrees or higher), and there has been improvement in symptoms; OR
  • Fourteen (14) days have passed since returning from a high-risk travel area, even with a negative COVID 19 test result; OR
  • Employee has received a negative COVID-19 test from pre-procedure testing without known exposure.

Once you are able to return to the workplace, you must wear a surgical mask in all areas from the start to the end of the shift.​

NOTE: Cloth masks are not acceptable; it must be a surgical mask or N95 depending on nature of work. Also remember eyewear (goggles, safety glasses, face shields) must accompany masks when patient facing in any situation.​



Top 10 Details to Know About the New COVID-19 Occupational Health Hotline and Email Address

July 6, 2020
Dear Cook Children's employee,

We have some important and helpful COVID-19-related Occupational Health information for you.

We hope you will take a moment to read over this message. Please let us know if you have any questions.

Thank you.

Cook Children's Occupational Health

COVID19OHS@CookChildrens.org

For non-COVID-19 inquiries, write to Occ Health here: OccHealth@CookChildrens.org.



IMPORTANT REMINDER: A cross reference guide to identify alternative sizes or brands of the N95 mask you have been fitted for is now available and below.

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Occupational Health 

Updated: May 19, 2020*

*Approved by Command Center and sent to CCHCS​

Guidance on exposure to COVID-19 patients

Occupational Health and the Command Center have established and revised the guidelines for employees who have interacted with Persons Under Investigation (PUIs) and COVID-19 positive patients. We ask that you review the following documents to ens​ure that you are up-to-date on the most current procedures and expectations:

·        Guidance on When to Return to Work after Exposure

·        Guidance on Work Restrictions when interacting with COVID-19 patients and PUIs 

Please note that these are the latest approved guidance to follow and supersede previous guidance.​ 

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Guidance and Forms from Occupational Health

Effective: March 26, 2020 

At this unprecedented time during the COVID-19 pandemic, we want to make sure staff have appropriate N95 coverage for their safety while conserving masks used normally during a mask fit process.

Fit testing for N95 respirators will temporarily discontinue.  You will not be coming to Occupational Health in person.  Detailed information is here:

Employees who have had a prior Mask Fit done in last 18 months: 

  • You will continue to use your past fitted mask size. 
  • Should your option become out of stock, you will use the mask fit crosswalk to find the next suggested option. 
  • Always perform a seal check each and every time you put on a N95 mask.

Male employees with beards who are currently using a PAPR: 

  • You must become clean-shaven so you can use a N95 mask due to limited PAPRs ​in house.


 

Employees who have NOT been mask fitted in the past 18 months: 

(Only those identified as individuals who will be providing direct care for suspected or confirmed + COVID-19 patients, on those units identified, for prolonged periods within 6 feet and/or performing aerosolized procedures to those patients.)

  • Please sign up for a mask fit appointment. May be days/weeks out, we will pick up the appointment, do not worry.
  • ​Law​son Home-Employee Self Service-Human Resources-Occ Health Portal-schedule an appointment link-pick next date and time available.
  • Complete your OSHA form- this will immediately show up on your Occ Health Portal after the appointment is made.  All with * must be completed.
  • You will need to watch the following videos for Don/Doffing N95s and performing Mask Seal Fit.  Your actual N95 mask may not be the same brand as the video.
  • ​​OHS will be reviewing the OSHA questionnaire and notify you if there are contraindications for wearing of the N95 mask.

Mask Seal Instructions:

Respiratory protection requires a good seal:

  • Start by placing the respirator on your face with the bottom strap below the ears and the upper strap around the back of the head.
  • Pull to unfold the mask and ensure that the top of the mask rests high on the nose and the bottom is pulled over the chin down toward the neck.
  • Use two fingers from each hand to form the nose clip firmly to your nose. (Do not pinch at the top of the nose as this may cause leakage.)
  • Use a mirror or ask another employee if the fit appears correct.
  • It is very important to perform a seal check:
  • The seal check can be performed by covering the respirator surface with your hands and inhaling and exhaling sharply to feel for any leakage around the edges of the mask.
  • Leakage near the nose can often be corrected by pressing the metal nosepiece tighter to the face or by pulling the top higher on the nose. 
  • Leakage around the chin may indicate that the mask is folded underneath or not pulled down closely to the neck.
  • If you are unable to get a good seal check with the regular, then you may need the small size.
  • Remember, the goal is to get the best protection possible which requires a tight fit to the face.​ 


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