Employees screened as they arrive for work

Please note: Policies and procedures related to COVID-19 are changing rapidly, and Insider articles are not updated after initial publication. To make sure you have the latest information, check USA Health Employee Resources for COVID-19.

USA Health employees who arrive for work are encountering limited entrances, signs about screening and masked attendants asking questions as part of new guidelines intended to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

The screenings ask about symptoms, contact with infected persons and travel to locations significantly affected by the pandemic.

If an employee has one of three symptoms – fever higher than 100.4, new or increased cough, or new or increased shortness of breath, he or she will be directed to go home, contact their director and follow specific instructions.

“We are asking each employee to self-monitor two hours before their scheduled shift. Depending on the work location, they may be screened before they are allowed to enter,” said Lisa Mestas, chief nursing officer and associate system administrator for USA Health. “The new guidelines are intended to reduce the risk of infection for employees, patients and the community.”

In addition to symptoms, the screenings check for employees’ contact with the virus and travel within the past 14 days.

If employees have had close, unprotected contact with someone who has tested positive for the novel coronavirus or has traveled to and from an area listed on the USA Health coronavirus travel list, they also will be asked to go home, contact their director and follow instructions.

Close contact is defined as being within six feet of someone with confirmed COVID-19 for a prolonged period of time, including caring for, living with, visiting or sharing a waiting room with the person. Also, close contact includes having direct contact with infectious secretions, such as from a cough.

As of Monday, March 23, the university’s travel list of affected areas included all international destinations and the states of Washington, New York, California, Massachusetts, Illinois, Oregon, New Jersey, Georgia and Louisiana.

If they do not meet the screening guidelines, hospital employees should contact their department director. Residents should contact their residency director of Graduate Medical Education coordinator. Physicians Group and Health Care Authority staff, advanced practice providers and physicians should contact their director of operations.

Mestas noted that the new guidelines are subject to change as the situation evolves.

Related: COVID-19 visitor policy changes