Updated guidance reflects increased prevalence of COVID in Clinton and Franklin counties, as well as impacts at both hospitals
Vermont Business Magazine The University of Vermont Health Network – Alice Hyde Medical Center (AHMC) and The University of Vermont Health Network – Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital (CVPH) are requiring all employees to resume universal masking and asking patients and visitors to voluntarily do the same, as COVID infection rates rise in communities across both Clinton and Franklin counties and both hospitals see a rise in employee infections.
Universal masking – or the practice of wearing an appropriate face covering for the entirety of an individual’s visit to a hospital, medical office or healthcare facility – has been shown to reduce individuals’ risk of exposure to airborne pathogens like COVID and influenza while indoors, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
“We strongly encourage all patients and visitors to wear appropriate face coverings while they are in any Alice Hyde or CVPH office or facility,” said Brenda Murphy, BSN, RN, CNML, chief quality and safety officer for both hospitals. “Our strong recommendation reflects a thoughtful, evidence-based approach to safeguarding public health and allowing our patients, visitors and employees to safely navigate a rise in COVID infection rates that is already impacting day-to-day operations at both hospitals.”
Effective immediately, both hospitals will require employees to wear a mask while in in the presence of patients or if they are unable to maintain social distancing of six feet from other health care workers. Employees are also required to wear eye protection when in patient rooms, exam rooms, and while providing direct patient care. The hospitals strongly recommend all patients and visitors wear a mask for the duration of their time in AHMC and CVPH facilities, if they cannot maintain social distancing of at least six feet.
Both Alice Hyde and CVPH have experienced significant impacts in recent weeks, due to the rising number of COVID infections. The hospitals have both experienced rising rates of COVID-positive admissions, emergency department visits by patients with COVID-like symptoms who are ultimately discharged home, and employees taken out of work after testing positive for the virus.
VDH: COVID cases and hospitalizations rise
“The health and safety of our patients, their visitors and our employees remain our top priority,” said Becca Shutts, MBA, MSN, RN, Alice Hyde’s chief nursing officer. “We know from experience that health and safety protocols like universal masking are effective at protecting our patients and our people from airborne viruses such as COVID. We strongly recommend that everyone mask up whenever they visit one of our facilities.”
“We are making this change as we see the virus’ prevalence rise in our communities and an increasing number of our employees are taken out of work after testing positive for COVID,” said Carlyn Haag, RN, CVPH’s chief nursing officer. “By taking action now, we can limit the virus’ impact on our patients, our people and our hospitals.”
The updated recommendations stop short of making universal masking mandatory for all patients and visitors – but patients with COVID-like symptoms continue to be required to wear a mask, according to the hospitals’ policies.
Visitors who have tested positive for COVID, or those with COVID-like symptoms, are required to wait 10 days from either their positive test or the onset of their symptoms before entering Alice Hyde or CVPH facilities. The hospitals offer patients and families options like video visits, to ensure patients can connect with their loved ones.
Both Alice Hyde and CVPH have strongly encouraged immunocompromised individuals to continue wearing masks even as they rolled back masking requirements last year.
More information on each hospital’s masking and visitation policies can be found on the Alice Hyde and CVPH websites.
Free surgical/procedural masks remain available at entrances for both hospitals.
Anyone who develops symptoms of the virus within a few days of their scheduled procedure should contact their provider.
About Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital
The University of Vermont Health Network - Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital (CVPH) is a private, not-for profit hospital in Plattsburgh, NY. Established in 1967 with the merger of Champlain Valley and Physicians Hospitals, CVPH joined Fletcher Allen Partners in 2012, which in 2014 became The University of Vermont Health Network. Together with its partner hospitals, the UVM Medical Group and a home health agency, CVPH provides high quality, cost effective care, close to home. Services include an award winning cardiac services program, accredited cancer center, freestanding ambulatory surgery center, comprehensive rehabilitation services and a 24 hour physician-staffed Emergency Department. Governed by a 15-member Board of Directors, CVPH is accredited by the Joint Commission and licensed by New York State and Medicare/Medicaid Approved. Learn more at UVMHealth.org/CVPH or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.
About Alice Hyde Medical Center
Alice Hyde Medical Center is a private, not-for-profit critical access hospital located in Malone, NY. Established in 1913, Alice Hyde Medical Center is comprised of a 25-bed acute care facility, four family health centers, a walk-in clinic, cancer center, orthopedic and physical rehabilitation center, cardiac rehabilitation unit, and a dental center. The medical center provides a 24-hour MD staffed emergency department, laboratory, an array of surgical services, and a wide range of outpatient services. For over 100 years, Alice Hyde Medical Center has been providing high-quality, low-cost health care to the more than 55,000 residents of the North Country. In early 2015, Alice Hyde opened The Alice Center, a new, state of the art 135-bed skilled nursing facility with a 30-bed Assisted Living Program. The facility replaced two obsolete skilled care facilities located in Malone, and is the first such facility to be constructed in Franklin County. Alice Hyde Medical Center is governed by a 13-member Board of Directors, and is accredited by the Joint Commission. Learn more at UVMHealth.org/AHMC
About The University of Vermont Health Network
The University of Vermont Health Network is an integrated system serving the residents of Vermont and northern New York with a shared mission: working together, we improve people’s lives. The partners are:
- The University of Vermont Medical Center
- The University of Vermont Health Network Medical Group
- The University of Vermont Health Network – Alice Hyde Medical Center
- The University of Vermont Health Network – Central Vermont Medical Center
- The University of Vermont Health Network – Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital
- The University of Vermont Health Network – Elizabethtown Community Hospital
- The University of Vermont Health Network – Porter Medical Center
- The University of Vermont Health Network – Home Health & Hospice
Source: MALONE/PLATTSBURGH, NY (09/03/2024) – The University of Vermont Health Network
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