We are experiencing impacts on our Inpatient units due to respiratory and influenza-like illnesses. For that reason, we are increasing our masking requirements effective Tuesday, September 26, 2023.
As of September 26, masking will be required on all Inpatient Clinical Units and in the Emergency Department. This masking requirement applies to all staff, professional staff, learners, volunteers and Essential Care Partners/Care Partners (ECPs/CPs). The masking requirements are as follows:
- 1A Inpatient Units (1A Medicine and 1A Oncology) — ECPs/CPs are required to wear a minimum Level 3 procedure mask at all times.
- All other Inpatient Units — ECPs/CPs must wear a minimum Level 3 procedure mask when entering a patient’s room and whenever they are unable to maintain six feet of physical distancing standards within the unit. Masking is not required when outside a patient’s room unless you are unable to maintain a physical distance of six feet within a clinical setting.
- Emergency Department — All Patients and ECPs/CPs accompanying a patient must wear a minimum Level 3 procedure mask at all times.
Our Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) team continuously monitors the need to expand masking requirements based on infection levels and should masking requirements change, they will be communicated broadly.
