Guiding Principles and Procedures

Managers are strongly encouraged to follow the COVID-19 Prevention Plan.  At a minimum, Managers should

  • Ensure staff are trained regarding UCSF Health screening protocols, masking and safe-distancing guidance (including frequently-asked questions), steps to prevent exposure when working within 6' of a patient, and when unmasked while eating or drinking in designated areas. (Go to LMS; search for COVID)
  • Evaluate local work environments and make economically  responsible adjustments to accommodate essential workers who must be onsite to provide direct patient care during their work shift.
  • Implement controls including but not limited to: 
    • staggering staff schedules, accommodating staff working from home
    • providing staff access to the UCSF Health Universal Masking Policy and UCSF Physical Distancing Protocol
    • posting maximum occupancy signage for staff areas with more than one person
    • posting 6' distancing signage where queues can form or as needed to maintain sufficient distancing
    • posting furniture clings encouraging people to select another seat
  • Request assistance when overflow areas appear to be needed for:
    • essential staff who cannot be accommodated after alternate workflows are implemented
    • patients and visitors in waiting rooms

Monitoring and Addressing Hazards and Risks

UCSF Health continues to monitor the environment of care through safe and physical distancing assessments.  With a surveillance team from the Safety Office and our partners at Infection Prevention, Regulatory Affairs, Ambulatory Educators, Emergency Management, and EHS, over 300 patient-care areas were assessed and close to 1,000 locations were evaluated.  Survey results are communicated to Managers for follow-up, and development and execution of corrective plans.

Two multi-disciplinary work groups with representation from both UCSF Health Support Services and Campus Facilities routinely meet to 

  • Review outstanding, non-compliant findings and discuss how these can be timely addressed
  • Ensure barrier/sneeze guard/partitions meet the standard set by EHS prior to deployment
  • Prioritize work based on assessment of transmission risks and occupational exposure

MCSS Help Desk Tickets

Customers who file service requests for "Safety Assessment" through MCSS will receive assistance from the Safety Office or a qualified designee.  Customers will receive a list of questions they need to answer and return, and then schedule a site visit and participate in the site evaluation of their space.  Be prepared to discuss established COVID19 prevention measures, such as staff training, work from home (WFH), etc.  In areas where patients are involved, consultation with Infection Prevention Practitioners (IPP) will be coordinated by the Safety Office.

Barrier/Sneeze Guard/Plexiglass Installations

Barriers installed at the following locations can now be removed as community spread has subsided and vaccination compliance among UCSF staff is greater than 98%.  Areas that choose to keep barriers may do so: patient-care areas with check-in desks; laboratory specimen drop-off and/or pick-up; vendor check-in and high traffic areas with the public; and payment locations such as dining areas and gift shops.

Customers requesting removal of barriers, sneeze guards, or partitions must first:

  1. speak with their Manager, then
  2. open MCSS Help Desk ticket under "Safety Assessment"

 

 

 

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