Revised COVID-19 Screening and Testing Eligibility for Patients
Please review the revised COVID-19 Screening and Testing Eligibility for Patients. We anticipate this changing frequently so please check One Portal on a regular basis for updates to these guidelines.
Employee Masking and Screening
As we continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation, new guidance has become available regarding additional steps we will be taking to keep our employees and patients safe. Our commitment to protecting our workforce and patients remains a top priority and we will act in accordance with new guidelines as they emerge.
REVISED masking guidelines
- Beginning on March 23, 2020 employees will be provided with a surgical mask upon entry into any of our hospital or outpatient facilities. This mask is to be worn at all times while in the hospital. Unless clinically indicated, you will only receive one mask for the day, so please plan accordingly. When you exit the facility at the conclusion of your shift, please make sure you are appropriately disposing of this mask and other PPE.
Work status for employees exposed to a COVID-19 positive case
Previously, employees with medium or high-risk exposures to confirmed COVID-19 positive cases but without any symptoms were asked to stay home for 14 days after last known exposure. CDC allows for a shift to include asymptomatic health care personnel in the workforce when staffing needs reach critical levels. Clinical leadership determined our staffing needs institution-wide have reached that critical level. If you were previously told to stay home from work, your supervisor may ask you to come to work if you are asymptomatic. In this situation, please wear a surgical mask and report your temperature and absence of symptoms to your supervisor prior to the start of work each day.
Hospital Entrance Changes
In continuing efforts to manage and screen the public and employees at access points into the Medical Center and Children’s Hospital, we have taken the following actions effective immediately:
- The front, or east, entrances of the University and Children’s hospitals are closed until further notice
- Valet service is suspended until further notice
- Patient access and discharge will be through parking structure P3 by means of the grand hallway
- Emergency Department entrance is for emergency room patients only. No employee drop-offs are permitted through this entrance
- All Medical Center and Children’s Hospital employees must continue to enter through the north breezeway entrance
Visitor Restrictions
For the safety of our patients and staff, we will no longer be allowing visitors in any of our adult hospitals effective March 20. Humanitarian exceptions will be allowed and will be determined by the charge nurse of the respective unit.
Children’s Hospital will allow two approved visitors per patient, although they must rotate and cannot be in the facility at the same time.
Although the entry screening process is challenging, these measures have been put in place for the safety of our employees and our patients. Please remember the following:
- Employees must have their Loma Linda University Health identification badge visibly displayed above their waist to enter
- Prior to exiting the facility please appropriately dispose of PPE
- Do not wear masks outside of the hospitals.
While not convenient, these measures are part of our combined effort to protect our workforce and patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. Thank you for your patience and collaboration as we navigate this challenging environment together.
Tracking of COVID-19 Expenses
It is imperative that during this time, we are accurately tracking the expenses related to our response to COVID-19. The detailed tracking of these items will be critical for potential state and federal assistance in the upcoming months.
Cost centers have been set up within each entity to track these expenses. Each department is requested to track these expenses on a daily basis.
There are two ways to capture and allocate these costs:
- Direct charge to the Disaster cost center
- For items requiring a purchase order, the requestor should include the phrase “FOR COVID-19” in the Requisition’s comment section
- Based on the “COVID-19” comment, Supply Chain will adjust the account number in Oracle to be the Disaster cost center
- For expense report items, the Disaster code may be input on the expense report
- Reclassification of Expenses to the Disaster cost center
- Departments may request for expenses – both Labor and Non-Labor – to be moved to the Disaster cost center by using this form. Additional information can be found on the One Portal Coronavirus finances page under resources.
For more information on the types of items that should be tracked, and a list of the disaster cost centers, please visit the One Portal Coronavirus finances page under resources.
If you have a question about whether or not something qualifies as a Disaster expense, or how to process, please contact your department’s or entity’s Finance Lead/Officer.
Command Center Location Change
The Command Center is relocating from CH 1830 to CSP 11008. The number will remain the same at ext. 88555 or 909-558-8555.
Donation requests
For all donations to our hospitals please coordinate with Kent Broersma, Warehouse Manager, at 909-601-0683.
There is a critical need for blood
Eligible donors are encouraged to give blood now at LifeStream Blood Bank. We encourage our community and employees to continue donating blood if they are healthy, feeling well and free of respiratory illness symptoms. Schedule your appointment at LStream.org or call 800-879-4484.
