To Johns Hopkins Medicine staff and faculty members, postdoctoral fellows, residents and students
Dear Colleagues,
For the past three years, we have adjusted COVID-19 protocols, policies and guidance at Johns Hopkins Medicine (JHM) to protect the health and safety of our patients, colleagues and community members, especially those most at risk for severe infection. Today, COVID-19 immunity protection is higher due to both vaccinations and recovery from infection. The rates of new COVID-19 transmissions and hospitalizations are declining in our communities, and the public health emergency declaration will end on May 11. Considering these developments, effective Monday, April 24, the following changes will be made to the JHM COVID-19 guidance.
Masking
NEW: Effective April 24, wearing masks will become strongly recommended but no longer required in all JHM buildings and areas unless masks are otherwise required, such as for patients on isolation precautions, for sterile procedures in the OR and other areas, and as part of standard precautions.
- Personnel returning to work after recovering from COVID-19 or other respiratory viruses must still mask for the appropriate designated time in all areas (through day 10 following COVID-19).
- Personnel, patients and caregivers experiencing respiratory symptoms (cough, sore throat, runny nose) must wear a mask in all areas while symptomatic, even if they believe the respiratory symptoms are due to a non-COVID infection or allergies. Personnel with respiratory symptoms should contact Occupational Health, test for COVID-19 and, as always, personnel must not work if they have a fever.
Visitation Policy
NEW: Non-pandemic visitor procedures will be implemented, and the COVID-19 visitation levels (purple, red, yellow, green) will be retired in the coming weeks. In the meantime, we remain on the green level in all areas. Please watch for a separate communication about a new harmonized JHM Visitor and Care Partner Visitation Policy.
Testing Patients for COVID-19
NEW: Effective April 24, asymptomatic patients will no longer require COVID-19 testing prior to hospital admission unless the patient:
- Is being admitted to a shared (double occupancy) inpatient room
- Is being admitted to a behavioral health unit
Inpatients in behavioral health units and shared rooms need to be tested at the time of admission and once again within three to five days following admission testing; no further testing is required unless they develop COVID-19 symptoms.
Surgeons and others performing procedures may still order COVID tests prior to the procedure if they feel it is in the best interests of their patients.
Symptomatic patients and patients with a recent exposure to COVID-19 still must be tested for COVID-19 prior to hospital admission. Indications for COVID-19 testing include: fever, chills, cough, sore throat, runny nose, headache, new or worsening shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, muscle aches, new or worsening fatigue, diarrhea, vomiting, loss of taste or smell, exacerbation of an underlying illness such as COPD or congestive heart failure, or exposure to someone with COVID-19 in the past 10 days. Here is a link to a clinical screening algorithm for COVID-19.
Gatherings and Events
NEW: The JHM event gathering attestation form for gatherings of more than 50 people is no longer required.
As per current guidance, there is no requirement for physical distancing or room layout, and no restrictions on food service.
Vaccinations
The JHM COVID vaccine clinics are mostly paused for now, as the volumes have been low. Anyone seeking a vaccine may contact a retail pharmacy or primary care office. As we await any updated recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) about the bivalent boosters, we urge you to keep your vaccination schedules up to date as defined by the CDC and Johns Hopkins Medicine and Johns Hopkins Health System polices. At JHM, receiving the COVID-19 vaccination (primary series) continues to be a condition of employment. Although the booster is strongly encouraged, it is not mandatory at this time. We will continue to review and consider any federal, state and local guidance for annual vaccination requirements for health care settings.
Telemedicine
Telemedicine will remain a valuable and convenient option for patient care. Our Office of Telemedicine is working to ensure that the platforms used by clinicians are HIPAA compliant and documented with a required legal agreement between the video platform and Johns Hopkins Medicine.
Please understand that we cannot cover every situation in this email. The guidance of your local health department or area may take precedence. If you work in a clinical setting, there may be more specific guidance instituted for certain patient populations. Check with your manager or department head for more instruction, and watch for follow-up communications on policy updates.
Thank you for all you do to keep our patients and colleagues safe.
Gabe Kelen, M.D., F.R.C.P.(C.), F.A.C.E.P.
Director, Johns Hopkins Office of Critical Event Preparedness and Response (CEPAR)
Director, Department of Emergency Medicine
The Johns Hopkins Hospital and Health System
Lisa Maragakis, M.D., M.P.H.
Senior Director of Healthcare Epidemiology and Infection Prevention
Johns Hopkins Health System
Robert Carter, M.S.N., R.N., C.F.R.N., C.P.E.N., N.R.P., C.H.E.P.
Senior Director
Johns Hopkins Medicine Office of Emergency Management
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