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Important Update to Masking and Eye Protection Requirements

May 11, 2023

To All VNS Health Team Members:

COVID-19 transmission has continued to decline over the past few months. In response to this, our masking and eye protection requirements are being updated as described below. Please note that if COVID-19 transmission begins to increase again, the previous requirements may be reinstated.

Please note: All VNS Health team members, visitors, patients, and family members may continue to wear masks in areas where masks are not required if they so choose, based on their personal preference. Masking continues to be one of the most effective ways to prevent transmission of COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses. In addition to the requirements outlined below, universal masking should also be considered when caring for patients with other high-risk conditions, including patients 65 years of age and older.

MASKING CONTINUES TO BE REQUIRED for the following:

  • Universal masking continues to be required for all VNS Health team members who provide direct in-person care during Home Care, Hospice, Personal Care, and Behavioral Health visits or any other in-person visits to patients, members, and clients.
  • This universal masking requirement also applies to patients and any non-VNS Health visitors present during an in-person visit who have potential COVID-19 symptoms.
  • Family members of patients are encouraged to wear masks, but it is not mandatory.
  • Masking is optional for asymptomatic patients and asymptomatic non-VNS Health visitors.

ADDITIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES WHERE MASKING IS REQUIRED in any location:

  • When VNS Health team members are providing care for a VNS Health patient who has SYMPTOMS that could be consistent with COVID-19 or another respiratory viral infection. The symptomatic patient should also wear a mask if feasible.
  • When required as part of Transmission-Based (Isolation) precautions.
  • VNS Health team members with an unprotected EXPOSURE to COVID-19, either in the community or workplace, should universally mask in ALL areas (including areas where masks are otherwise optional) for 10 days after their exposure.
  • VNS Health team members returning to work before Day 11 following a COVID-19 infection should universally mask through Day 10* after returning to work in ALL areas when around other people, including areas where masks are otherwise optional.

    * Day 0 is the day of symptom onset or the day of their positive COVID-19 test if the team member remained asymptomatic.

EYE PROTECTION:

  • Eye protection is NO LONGER routinely recommended for all patient care.
  • Eye protection is still required as part of certain Transmission-Based (Isolation) precautions, including droplet and aerosol-generating procedures and as part of Standard Precautions when droplets, sprays, splashes, or splatters of blood or body fluids are anticipated.

GLOVES:

Wear gloves during tasks where you may touch blood or body fluids (Standard Precautions) or providing care to patients with Transmission-Based (Isolation) Precautions (contact, droplet, aerosol-generating procedures, and Airborne Precautions). Perform hand hygiene with soap and water or at least 60% alcohol before putting on and after removing gloves.

PATIENT COVID-19 SCREENING QUESTIONS:

  • COVID-19 screening questions are no longer required for each patient visit.
  • Employee daily COVID-19 screening questions are still a DOH requirement and will remain in place for now.

Rationale: Effective February 12, 2023, the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) emergency masking regulation for healthcare facilities expired. NYSDOH now allows for health care facilities to determine their own masking policies based on CDC guidance and other considerations. CDC guidance for health care professional mask use is based on several factors, including presence of immunocompromised patients, transmission levels, and the risk of asymptomatic transmission of SARs-CoV-2. Community transmission of COVID-19 has continued to decline over the past few months. In response to this, masking requirements are being eliminated in some areas but continue to be required for others to protect our most vulnerable patients. If COVID-19 transmission begins to increase, additional masking requirements may be reinstated.

We continue to review the latest science and governmental guidelines and will communicate any updates in a timely manner. Thank you for all that you do on behalf of our patients and in support of each other. Please see the COVID-19 website on the Intranet for further details.

Why is this information important?
This information is important for awareness of current masking policies.

What we need from you:
Please carefully review this information.

Ritchell Dignam, MD
Chief Medical Officer
Provider Services

Anthony Dawson RN, MSN
Chief Quality Officer
Provider Services