A message from Occupational Health (May 22, 2020)

YOUR ARE FREE TO MOVE ABOUT THE COUNTRY: CCHCS travel restrictions updated 

As you explore possible summer destinations for a family vacation or escape to recharge during this time, here are the latest updates that you should be aware of before making those decisions.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott lifted interstate travel restrictions. This means that there will be no required 14-day quarantine upon return from U.S. destinations.

However, the State Department has issued a Level 4 advisory for international travel, and the CDC still recommends a 14-day quarantine for all international travel. Therefore, ANY Cook Children's employee traveling outside of the U.S. would be required to quarantine for 14 days upon return from international travel.

As always, Cook Children's will continue to observe all state and federal guidelines for travel.​

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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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YOU'RE FREE TO MOVE ABOUT THE COUNTRY: CCHCS travel restrictions updated effective May 22, 2020

As you explore possible summer destinations for a family vacation or escape to recharge during this time, here are the latest updates that you should be aware of before making those decisions.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott lifted interstate travel restrictions. This means that there will be no required 14-day quarantine upon return from U.S. destinations.

However, the State Department has issued a Level 4 advisory for international travel, and the CDC still recommends a 14-day quarantine for all international travel. Therefore, ANY Cook Children's employee traveling outside of the U.S. would be required to quarantine for 14 days upon return from international travel.

As always, Cook Children's will continue to observe all state and federal guidelines for travel.

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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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