COVID Acknowledgement

IU Health takes the health and safety of our team members and students very seriously. In response to the spread of "COVID-19", a respiratory disease caused by the novel coronavirus, IU Health has developed this COVID-19 Safety Plan as part of our efforts to reduce the potential for exposure to and spread of the coronavirus. This plan is based on information available from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ("CDC"), the Occupational Safety and Health Administration ("OSHA"), and the State of Indiana and is subject to change based on further guidance from these and other public health agencies. The organization will monitor coronavirus-related guidance and will communicate any changes to this Plan accordingly. Pieces of this plan will be executed based on a series of factors, including but not limited to, when appropriate supplies can be procured (i.e. - some team members may not return to office spaces unless appropriate disinfecting wipes are available in the offices).

We are counting on all team members to do their part to promote a healthy, safe working environment. If you have any questions about this Plan, please contact your leader or local HR team.

  1. Team Member and Visitor Health Screening Process

    IU Health instituted the following processes for all team members and visitors attempting to enter our facilities:

    • General guidance for team members
      • - Team members are consistently reminded to stay home if they are exhibiting any symptoms.
      • - Symptomatic team members are able to call the IU Health Virtual Screening Clinic for further assessment and clinical guidance.
      • - Signage will be implemented in team member-facing areas to remind them of limits on number of team members allowed in shared spaces, proper etiquette (including turning away from other individuals and coughing/sneezing into their elbow), social distancing requirements, and more.
      • - Guidelines are established for certain team members with qualifying health issues (as defned by IU Health) to opt out of caring for COVID-19 patients. These will be updated and communicated, as needed.
    • Visitor Restrictions
      • - IU Health has adopted a single, consistent approach to how we treat and screen patients and visitors at all locations.
      • - IU Health has limited the number of access points to its facilities, so all visitors enter through main doors and will be screened upon entry.
      • - As of May 4, 2020, the new screening process is:
        • Screen for an updated list of symptoms (consistently modified based on latest CDC recommendations):
          • - “Do you have a new cough, shortness of breath, fever, chills, muscle pains, headache, sore throat, diarrhea, nausea, or new loss of taste or smell within the last 14 days?”
        • The screening question will only be asked of visitors at the building entrance, not patients. All patients and visitors if required (parents of pediatric patients and adult caregivers) will receive a mask upon entry and be asked to hand sanitize as they do today.
        • Patients will continue to be asked the screening question at the service area registration desk.
        • Patients will continue to be asked the screening question when they meet with the Medical Assistant or nurse in nurse triage.
        • Visitor/guest restrictions have not changed. If a visitor meets the visitor exception criteria AND passes the screening question, they will be permitted into the building and also given a mask and asked to hand sanitize as they do today.
      • - Visitors are not currently allowed in IU Health office buildings (where patient care is not provided) and virtual connections are encouraged. Vendors must be screened and will be allowed into our buildings only if their presence is necessary for patient care.
      • - Vendors and contractors for Design & Construction projects will follow IU Health guidelines specific to COVID-19.
    • COVID-19 Testing and Diagnosis
      • - Any team member who tests positive for COVID-19 or is diagnosed with COVID-19 by a healthcare provider should not report to work but should immediately notify their leader.
      • - Any team member who tests positive for or is diagnosed with COVID-19 by a healthcare provider must stay out of the workplace for at least 10 days (after illness onset/the date symptoms begin) and be symptom free for at least 72-hours. Team members will use the IUH Virtual Screening Clinic to receive return-to-work guidance.
  2. Enhanced Cleaning and Disinfecting Protocols for the Workplace

    The following enhanced cleaning and disinfection protocols will be in place until further notice:

    • IU Health will provide appropriate cleaning supplies throughout our facilities and to team members. We will ask each team member regularly to wipe down any area in the team member’s personal workspace where the team member has been in contact with high-touch surfaces, including keyboards, telephones, light switches, sinks, tables, and handles.
    • IU Health have engaged our cleaning service to increase the frequency and depth of cleanings to ensure all areas of the workplace are thoroughly cleaned with additional regularity.
  3. Enhanced Personal Hygiene/Protection Measures
    • IU Health is reminding team members of regular steps that can be taken to reduce the spread and/or prevent exposure to this virus, including:
      • - Washing hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
      • - Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth
      • - Avoid close contact with others, do not gather in groups, stay out of crowded places
      • - Cover mouth and nose with a cloth face mask when around others, and keep mask washed regularly
      • - Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or the inside of the elbow
      • - Clean and disinfect surfaces daily
    • IU Health is providing hand sanitizer stations and bottles throughout the workplace for team members, patients and permitted visitors to use.
    • We also provide tissues and no-touch disposal receptacles throughout the workplace for team member use.
  4. Social Distancing

    IU Health requires all team members, patients, and visitors to follow the social distancing requirements established by the CDC, including maintaining six-foot social distancing for both team members and members of the general public when possible. In addition:

    • Team members in offices that don’t deliver patient care will be encouraged to wear masks at all times while on IU Health premises.
    • Patients and visitors in IU Health facilities that deliver patient care are required to wear masks at all times while on the premises.
    • To facilitate social distancing, we will visibly designate six-foot distances (where possible) throughout the workplace.
    • Lunch/Break rooms, conference rooms, restrooms, enclaves, etc. will be limited to an appropriate capacity to comply with social distancing guidelines. Room limits will be clearly labeled on the exterior of the room.
    • We will encourage staggering lunches and breaks to limit the occupancy of lunch and break rooms.
    • We will encourage staggering start and end times of shifts in order to reduce the concentration of team members on-site, using elevators/stairwells, etc. at a given time.
    • Supervisors have contacted team members who are able to work from home effectively regarding plans for ongoing telework.

IU Health Faculty/Student COVID19 Acknowledgement

IU Health takes the health and safety of our team members and students very seriously, so this document was developed to ensure that faculty and students are aware of environmental changes due to COVID-19. In response to the spread of COVID-19, a respiratory disease caused by the novel coronavirus, the attached safety plan (IU Health Safety Plan: Guidance for Bringing Learners Back Into IU Health Facilities) was developed.

In addition to the Safety Plan:

  1. Students may directly provide care to known/suspected COVID patients, and they are permitted to participate in procedures requiring use of an N95 mask, surgical gown or other forms of personal protective equipment. Their participation may be limited to meet a critical educational requirement. Note: If the student’s educational institution/program does not permit students to work with COVID-19 patients, that requirement will be honored by IU Health.
  2. Students may work with a team member to screen patients for suspected or positive COVID-19.
  3. If the student does not feel comfortable working with COVID-19 patients, they should inform their preceptor/instructor. No student will forced to work with either suspected or confirmed COVID-19 patients.
  4. All team members and students are to wear fresh, 3-ply, medical-grade masks in all healthcare facilities upon entrance and throughout the day.
  5. Students located in non-patient care areas will follow the IU Health mask requirements for that facility.
  6. Students sharing computers, desk space, equipment, etc. during educational rotations should follow unit/department cleaning practices.
  7. When masks are removed, for example to eat, social distancing (6 feet) is of utmost importance. In clinical areas when social distancing is not possible, masks and hand hygiene are key to mitigating the spread of the virus.
  8. Students acknowledge close contact with patients may be required during a clinical rotation and will adhere to the IU Health Safety Plan.
  9. Students acknowledge that they should stay home if experiencing any symptoms of illness and should consider visiting the IU Health Virtual Screening Clinic or a healthcare provider.
    • The Virtual Screening Clinic will provide next steps. Depending on the outcome, self-quarantine may be required. Information on the Virtual Screening Clinic is included in this document and attached.
  10. Any student who has been diagnosed with COVID19 must provide a release, prior to the start of their educational experience, from their primary care provider that they are released to work in a healthcare facility.
    • If you were tested and treated through the IU Health Virtual Screening Clinic, please provide a copy of your release.

I hereby acknowledge that I have read all the terms and conditions above. I am voluntarily completing my clinical rotation at IU Health understanding the risks and agree to adhere to the IU Health Safety Plan.


Virtual Screening Clinic

When should students contact the Virtual Screening Clinic?

  • You should contact the virtual screening clinic if you have new onset of viral or flu-like symptoms including but not limited to: new cough, fever, shortness of breath, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of smell or taste, or muscles aches within the past 14 days.

How does a student contact the Virtual Screening Clinic?

  • Download the Indiana University Health Virtual Visits app (in the App Store or Google Play store) or enroll on your computer (https://iuhealthvideovisit.org/landing.htm). Enroll using the free login and completing your personal profile. Then go to the “Service Key” and type in “IUHTEAM”. This will direct you to the team member portal (Covid-19\IU Health virtual hub app instructions with team member channel (1).pdf).
  • Students will need to provide their IU Health employee ID number.

Contact Us

Other

    The Office of Clinical Education

  • Phone: (317) 962-5048

  • Email: OCE@iuhealth.org