Daily COVID-19 Update

Current status

We had our first positive COVID-19 case on March 18, in an outpatient setting. As the situation continues to evolve, we are expecting — as are all healthcare facilities worldwide — more patients who could be symptomatic, and we will continue to test. In preparation for a possible influx of COVID-19 patients, we have designated isolation units to mitigate the spread of infection for adult and pediatric patients who have tested positive for COVID-19. We will not be sending out continual communications on positive test results, but we are prepared to care for those patients. Loma Linda University Health leadership wants to assure all employees that we have processes in place to communicate directly with you if you have been exposed to a positive patient.

Revised Masking and Isolation Recommendations

Please note, there are new recommendations for masking and isolation. If you do not have respiratory illness symptoms and have had the flu shot, please do not use a loop mask.   

Revised Employee Screening Guidelines (all employees)

Due to newly released CDC recommendations about when individuals can return to work after developing symptoms consistent with COVID-19 or testing for COVID-19, we have updated our Employee Self-Screening for Health Care Personnel guidelines. These are important guidelines and employees who come to work are attesting that they are in compliance. Here are some highlights about when to stay at home or go to work:

1. FEVER/COUGH/SHORTNESS OF BREATH

• If you have fever OR cough (new onset) OR shortness of breath (new onset):
  
  • Please stay at home and call your primary care doctor if appropriate.   
  • Do not return to work until at least 72 hours with no fever (without use of fever reducing medications).

2. TESTED FOR COVID-19 WITH SYMPTOMS

• If you have symptoms consistent with COVID-19 and have undergone testing:
  
  • Please stay home and follow the CDC guidelines for isolation.  
  • Tests are currently taking 5-7 days to get results and you must stay off work until you have 2 negative tests at least 24 hours apart.  

3. UPPER RESPIRATORY SYMPTOMS WITHOUT FEVER OR COUGH OR SHORTNESS OF BREATH

• If you have mild symptoms of sore throat, nasal congestion, runny nose, myalgias, or allergies:
  
  • You may come to work if you fit specific criteria in the guidelines
  • Please review and ensure you are can come to work safely.

4. CONFIRMED COVID-19 COMMUNITY (not at work) EXPOSURE

• Stay at home and contact your primary care provider or the county public health office for guidance.  
• Wear a mask for 14 days after exposure when you are cleared to return to work. 
• Click here more information on the definition of exposure.

5. EXPOSURE TO AN ASYMPTOMATIC INDIVIDUAL WHO HAD CONTACT WITH A CONFIRMED CASE

• Go to work.  
• Only the individual who had direct contact with the confirmed COVID-19 positive case is considered exposed.  

6. TRAVEL IN PAST 14 DAYS

• Please check the CDC site daily for 14 days after returning from travel, the country lists are being updated daily.  

For the full screening document and details about when to return to work in each of these scenarios, please review this link.

Revised Hospital COVID-19 Test Ordering and Collection Process

There is a new ordering and collection process. Please ensure you review the process for LLUMC (UH, SH, EC), LLUCH, LLUBMC or LLUMC-Murrieta.

Revised CDC Guidelines for Travel

The list of countries with a high rate of COVID-19 infection has now changed. Please check the new Travel Restrictions tab on our One Portal Coronavirus page daily for more information.

Coronavirus One Portal Page

Please frequently read and review all daily COVID-19 communication and refer to the One Portal Coronavirus page for the latest updates in this ever-evolving situation. 

Engaging with the media or social media

Loma Linda University Health actively enforces its policies regarding all interaction on our official and personal social networking accounts and with external entities, including news media, production crews or outside vendors.

Media and other external requests: Outside media is not permitted on the LLUH campus without prior approval and accompaniment by the public relations team. If you are contacted or approached by a member of the media or other outside entity, the following guidelines are in place and must be followed per Loma Linda University Health policy:

• Even if you know the information, do not provide it. There is no such thing as “off the record.”
• Respectfully direct them to contact the public relations team via email at pr@llu.edu.
• If after hours, direct them to the operator at 909-558-4000 to page the public relations specialist on-call. 
• If you find a member of the news media on the premises unaccompanied by one of our public relations representatives, please call security at 909-558-4320 or ext. 44320.

Social Networking: Loma Linda University Health recognizes that participating in social networks with the use of personal equipment outside of working hours is a personal activity. However, because of the potential impact that social networking can have on our institution and its reputation, it is necessary to remember Loma Linda University Health policy regarding social networking that relates in any way to this organization and its operations. All policies, guidelines and rules that apply to employee communication and conduct apply equally to social network communications.

Please keep in mind that: 

• The HIPAA minimum necessary standard requirement extends to personal social media content. 
• Loma Linda University Health reserves the right to require that employees, students, contractors, and volunteers edit or remove any communication or post that is not in accordance with LLUMC policies and/or applicable law.
• A disclaimer is required acknowledging that all communication (ideas, thoughts, comments, posts, etc) posted on a personal social networking site are your own and not in any way a representation of your current and past employers.  
• The appearance of a logo or other identifying elements can indicate your relationship with Loma Linda University Health and would require a disclaimer.
• Only official representatives are allowed to speak on behalf of Loma Linda University Health. Official accounts are only those that have been approved through the Office of Marketing & Communications.
• Personal smartphones or cameras shall not be used to capture pictures or audio of patients except in accordance with LLUMC Policy Photography, Videography and Audio Recording (A-22).

Spiritual support

A message from Randy Roberts

People are experiencing a wide range of emotions. At such times, life can feel overwhelming.

Your spiritual leaders at Loma Linda University Health wish to support you during this time. Do not hesitate to contact us or to avail yourself of any of these resources listed below. We would be honored to provide spiritual support!

One of my favorite passages of Scripture is found in Paul’s letter to the Philippians:

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. –Philippians 4:6-7, TNIV

To paraphrase this passage:

In ALL things …

Be prayerful

Be thankful

And no one will be able to explain your peace

Departments and personnel who are available to provide spiritual support:

Programs and opportunities to strengthen one’s faith:

1. Loma Linda University Health prayer service: Friday, March 20, 10–10:15 am. Livestream here.
2. reFresh Bible Study on Wednesdays, March 25–April 22, will move forward in a live-streaming and Facebook Live format. This 20-minute Bible study from 12:15–12:35 p.m. can be viewed at www.lluh.org/refresh.
3. University@Worship on Wednesdays, April 1–May 13 at 11 a.m., offered live online to care for our campus and help people feel connected. It is accessible here.
4. Embedded in every Canvas Course shell is a link for students to arrange for online spiritual care from the University Spiritual Care team. You may wish to alert your students to this.
5. Chaplains are present, rounding throughout the organization, providing emotional and spiritual support to employees, patients and families. Call Chaplain Services at ext. 44367 or Employee Spiritual Care at ext. 48406 to request a visit. Virtual visits can be arranged for COVID-19 floors.
6. Spiritual leaders are praying each day for the Loma Linda University Health employees, patients, the community and the nation.

So let’s not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don’t give up, or quit. Right now, therefore, every time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of all, starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith. –Galatians 6:9–10, The Message