Below is important information on Healthcare Office COVID-19 Requirements, that your dental office will need to implement. Keep in mind, that the COVID-19 information is very time-sensitive, but the links listed below are a great way to get and keep your office on pace for success with prevention and known-case reporting. We will continue to study these evolving mandates and keep you posted. The overall goal is to keep you, your employees, and your patients healthy and safe.
JUNE 2022
OSAP UPDATE & OVERVIEW from: Annual OSAP Conference 2022 Minneapolis, MN
Below please find interesting practice protocols for your infection control success from the most recent OSAP (Organization for Safety, Asepsis & Prevention) conference courses: Download Here
MARCH 2022
New Update on Mask wearing for dental personnel.
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/covid-by-county.html
Healthcare workers who are up to date with all COVID-19 vaccine doses may choose to not wear a mask when in non-patient contact areas. IN ALL SITUATIONS WHERE THERE IS PATIENT CONTACT— ALL HEALTHCARE WORKERS NEED TO MASK.
CDC has indicated there are no changes currently planned regarding CDC guidance on masking by healthcare workers in patient contact situations, regardless of vaccination status. Dental Professionals that are involved in aerosol procedures should be wearing a NIOSH N-95 respirator (or better). Dispose of respirator at least daily or when visibly soiled (do not store). Dispose of respirators into a BMW bag.
FEB 2022
COVID COMMUNITY LEVEL INDOOR MASKS for DENTAL PRACTICES IN PUBLIC SPACES
Please reference current CDC guidance. The ADA PDFs on Mask Mandate Interpretations may be helpful to reference:
CHECK YOUR CURRENT COVID OUTBREAK LEVEL VIA YOUR LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT LISTING,
BEFORE POSTING THE LOW-LEVEL POSTER. YOU WILL HAVE TO CHECK THIS WEEKLY.
MASKS WELCOME IN LOW-RISK AREAS
ADA MASKING INDOORS & 6 FT DISTANCING
Low COVID-19 Community Level
Masks are not required but can be worn based on personal preference or level of risk.
POST-LOW-LEVEL POSTER ONLY IF YOUR COUNTY QUALIFIES AS LOW-LEVEL COVID INCIDENCE.
Medium COVID-19 Community Level
If you are immunocompromised or at high risk for severe illness, consult with your healthcare provider about strategies to lower your risk of transmission, including wearing a mask.
Consider testing yourself and wearing a mask indoors if you live with or are visiting a loved one at high risk for severe illness.
High COVID-19 Community Level
Wear a well-fitting mask indoors in public settings, regardless of vaccination status or individual risk.
Individuals who are immunocompromised or at risk for severe illness should wear a mask or respirator that provides greater protection.
No matter the community risk level, wearing a mask or respirator is still strongly recommended if you are sick with COVID-19 or you are caring for a loved one who has COVID-19. Masks are also still required on public transportation and inside transportation centers like airports or train stations.
A great resource for an updated OSHA poster is either: www.complianceposter.com or www.resourcefulcompliance.com.
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INSTRUCTIONAL
How to Knot & Best Fit a Surgical Mask to your Face
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GzTAZDsNBe0
OSHA RESPIRATORY PROTECTION TRAINING VIDEOS
https://www.osha.gov/respiratory-protection/training
March 2022
COVID- Now Mandated by County:
Click into the CDC Interactive County Map to Check your county:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/covid-by-county.html
CDC Healthcare Worker Update:
Infection Control Guidance, Exposures at Work, Staff Shortages & Optimizing PPE with PPE Clarifications
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/hcp/index.html
JAN 2022
Updates to CDC’s COVID-19 Quarantine and Isolation Guidelines in Healthcare and Non-healthcare Settings
https://emergency.cdc.gov/coca/calls/2022/callinfo_011322.asp
CDC updates consumer mask website to emphasize protection, fit, and comfort
https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2022/s-0114-mask-protection-fit.html
DEC 2021
CDC Releases Emergency Guidance for Healthcare Facilities to Prepare for Potential Omicron Surge
https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2021/s1223-emergency-guidance-prepare-for-omicron.html
GENERAL INFO:
Practice Owners Responsibilities:
Employers should implement COVID-19 Prevention Programs in the workplace. The most effective programs engage workers and their union or other representatives in the program’s development and include the following key elements: conducting a hazard assessment; identifying a combination of measures that limit the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace; adopting measures to ensure that workers who are infected or potentially infected are separated and sent home from the workplace, and implementing protections from retaliation for workers who raise COVID-19 related concerns.
What Workers Need To Know about COVID-19 Protections in the Workplace
Distinguishing between workers who are vaccinated and those who are not: Workers who are vaccinated must continue to follow protective measures, such as wearing a face covering and remaining physically distant, because, at this time, there is no evidence that COVID-19 vaccines prevent transmission of the virus from person-to-person. The CDC explains that experts need to understand more about the protection that COVID-19 vaccines provide before deciding to change recommendations on steps everyone should take to slow the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19.
How to answer when patients or employees ask:
“Have your Employees received the COVID Vaccination?:
Employees can share their vaccination status with other employees or patients.
Employers & Management –cannot share this health information.
Below is a sample response that Management may wish to use when Patients or Employees make an inquiry about your team’s COVID vaccination status:
“Under Labor Board guidelines–Employee health information is retained & secured– confidentially by our Management.”
(If your office follows current COVID Management Protocols add):
“Rest assured, that our office follows the most current COVID Protocols to protect our Employees & Patients.”
ADA HIPAA: Contact Tracing by Public Health Agencies & HIPAA Disclosure
ADA HIPAA: Providing Names of C-19 (+) Patients to Authorities
ADA: Steps to take if an Employee Tests COVID Positive
https://success.ada.org/~/media/CPS/Files/COVID/A_Positive_COVID-19_Test_Result_On_Your_Staff.pdf
ADA: Protocols to Follow if Employee or Family Member is COVID (+)
ADA- UNDERSTANDING MASK TYPES:
https://success.ada.org/~/media/CPS/Files/COVID/ADA_COVID19_UnderstandingMasks.pdf
ADA- Interim Mask and Face Shield Guidelines:
https://success.ada.org/~/media/CPS/Files/COVID/ADA_Interim_Mask_and_Face_Shield_Guidelines.pdf
OSHA 3990
https://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA3990.pdf
OSHA COVID-REQUIREMENTS: Dentistry Workers and Employers
https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/covid-19/dentistry.html
HIPAA- TELEHEALTH REMOTE COMMUNICATIONS WAIVER DURING COVID-19
What to Do if Someone on Your Staff Tests Positive for COVID-19:
Obligation to Record & Report:
We understand that Employers are facing unexpected challenges in relation to COVID-19. While the “common cold/flu” are not expected to be recorded by Employers, OSHA expects that employers identify COVID-19 infection among employees. Employees must self-monitor by monitoring their signs and symptoms: Dry cough, elevating fever, and shortness of breath. Employers can take employee’s temperatures at this juncture. Employers should report any positive cases, hospitalizations or deaths, to OSHA and an Applicable State Agency within a reasonable time frame.
PPE Proper Donning & Doffing Posters
FREE COVID-19 PATIENT POSTERS
Download & Print these COVID-19 Posters to use in your Reception Area Entryway.
These are a great way to pre-screen and encourage safe, social distancing. >>Click Here to Download<<
Please contact us should you have the need to update your current OSHA / HIPAA Standards.
We are happy to provide insight & clarification on current requirements.
Be Blessed—Be safe—Be Well!… The Compliance Coaches
Dental Enhancements, Inc.
Office: 941-587-2864
More Resources (click on the images below to download and print)
DENTAL OFFICE BACK-to-WORK—COVID-19 MANAGEMENT PREP LIST
(Download this comprehensive 5 page PDF document for your Dental Office by clicking the light blue image )
OSHA REQUIREMENT TO RECORD & REPORT EMPLOYEE INCIDENCE OF COVID-19(+) CASES:
Is COVID-19 Recordable or Reportable to OSHA?
