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Answers to Your Questions about Coronavirus - EHN - 2
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Einstein Healthcare Network
1:33
The chat will begin at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 18. Come back here to follow it live. In the meantime, please feel free to post your questions in the blue box below. Thanks.
*** Wednesday, March 18 ***
Einstein Healthcare Network
1:19
We're all here. Chat will start in 10 minutes.
1:30
Thanks for joining us. We have Eric Sachinwalla, MD, Medical Director Infection Prevention and Control; Eric Giberson, Human Resources Director and David Stofanak, Assistant Director of Safety and Emergency Preparedness here to field your questions. Let's get started.
Kay
1:30
I am over age 60 and have an underlying medical condition that makes me considered to be high risk. Is it safe for me to be at work? Working from home is not possible.
Einstein Healthcare Network
1:30
The health of Einstein staff and patients is top priority.  Please contact your manager regarding your concerns or Human Resources Service Specialist.
Guest
1:30
Is this going to be our new normal or do you see the end of this  virus, how soon is a vaccine coming. Thank You
Einstein Healthcare Network
1:30
We don't know whether this is going to part of the normal circulating viruses or if they are going to go away. We'll have to wait and see what happens. But in terms of a vaccine there are studies going on now to develop a vaccine. Realistically we are probably at least 12-18 months away from a vaccine because it takes time to study for safety and then study to make sure it works.
Guest
1:32
Does social distancing mean that you can't visit a friend or neighbor?  I thought the virus was catchy when you touched something that is infected and then touched your eyes, mouth, etc.  So what is it about social distancing that we are avoiding?  Is it coughing, sneezing?
Einstein Healthcare Network
1:32
Social distancing is really important for every single person to follow. So if you're able to avoid unnecessary contact with friends, relatives, or neighbors that is best because it prevents spread. The current guidance from CDC is that spread is actually mostly through coughing/sneezing. Touching surfaces with the virus is a concern but is not felt to be as significant. This is why maintaining social distance is key.
patricia Smith
1:33
Will this effect the compliance date for yearly Livewell physical requirements due 5-31-20?
Einstein Healthcare Network
1:33
We are extending the Healthy Steps and Tobacco Attestation deadline to August 31, 2020.  This gives employees and spouses who have been on an Einstein health plan since April 1, 2019 an additional 3 months to complete their steps if they have not done so already.  Please see the notice sent to all staff on 3/17/20.
Guest
1:33
If government authorities are advising people to stay home whether sick or not, what is Einstein plan of action for employees?
Einstein Healthcare Network
1:33
If there is a need for additional cleaning supplies please work with your leadership so they can forward your requests through our command center team. Due to the shortage of supplies across the nation we are working to be as efficient as possible with how we order and utilize our current stock.
Therapist
1:36
Is Einstein as a network allowing as many employees as feasible to work from home?
Einstein Healthcare Network
1:36
Einstein is implementing work from home plans where possible.  Einstein is working daily to expand our work from home capabilities.  Please review Einstein News and EinsteinConnect daily for more information as plans develop.  Please contact your manager with any concerns.
Abby
1:36
what is your response to the staffs growing concern regarding PPE recommendations.
Einstein Healthcare Network
1:37
PPE recommendations are constantly being updated based on updated guidance from CDC & WHO as well as supply of PPE. We are working hard to ensure that we have appropriate PPE for providers that are caring for patients but we also need to be very careful to not waste PPE unnecessarily because every piece of PPE that is wasted now is then not available later on when it might be warranted.
Guest
1:38
Why are we still doing non urgent elective surgeries?
Einstein Healthcare Network
1:38
We are working with our surgical and procedural teams to review all of our upcoming procedures to determine which ones can safely be deferred and which ones are medically necessary. We continue to evaluate every day to make sure the procedures we are doing are appropriate.
Sharon/radiology
1:40
Good Afternoon:  If you are an employee at Einstein, are we allow to visit a patient. I was getting off  my shift I wanted to visit my sister and I was told no visitors.  I am following the  protocol mask, gloves and distance. Washing hands constantly after each patient.
Einstein Healthcare Network
1:41
Einstein's current visitor policy related to COVID-19 applies to Einstein employees.  Thank you for following these important measures to keep our patients and employees safe.  We understand you want to visit a loved one but it is of critical importance that we limit all visitors to keep our patients safe.
Guest
1:41
Is Einstein testing? If so, how many test have they done? And can anyone be tested?
Einstein Healthcare Network
1:41
Testing capabilities are increasing every day across the country. Commercial labs like Quest and Labcorp and state labs are able to perform the testing. Einstein is collecting specimens and sending to those labs for our inpatients. We are also working on developing specimen collection capabilities for our outpatient sites since many patients with COVID-19 do not need to be seen in the ED or admitted to the hospital.
A
1:44
Are n95 masks readily available on all the units?
Einstein Healthcare Network
1:44
N95 masks are available for situations that require it and are available on the units. However, with increasing information from CDC, public health, and WHO we are learning that N95 masks are not necessary for all patient encounters. N95 masks should be reserved for situations where aerosols will be produced such as nebulizers and intubation. In other encounters with patients on precautions for COVID-19, a surgical facemask with eye protection is the appropriate PPE in combination with gown and gloves.
guest
1:45
Does Einstein have any contingency plans to create more ICU beds if the hospital becomes overwhelmed with critically ill COVID-19 patients? Doctors on the news shows have been saying the U.S. does not have enough ICU beds & ventilators to handle even a moderate surge in infected patients requiring hospitalization.
Einstein Healthcare Network
1:45
There is a team within Einstein looking at our surge capabilities across all hospitals. This includes how we are going to surge beds and how we can effectively utilize our ventilators.
Guest
1:46
Should social distancing include with our families? I assume if I have it my spouse and children will get it but I’ve been nervous to hug and kiss my children. My spouse continues to.
Einstein Healthcare Network
1:47
Social distancing in the home is challenging and as you said this infection has been spread within households. If you have a household member that is sick it is best to try and have them stay away from non-sick people in the house, as much as possible. Additionally everyone in the home should be washing hands frequently, cleaning surfaces and common touch areas such as door knobs/faucets, using good respiratory etiquette for the sick person to prevent spread
Megan
1:49
what are the parent with young children to do with the schools being closed. are they allowed a day off to figure things out?
Einstein Healthcare Network
1:49
We understand that abrupt school/daycare closings have caused challenges for employees.  Einstein will provide regular pay for up to one shift for employees who need to miss work due to these closings.  Employees may then use their PTO for absences.  Please see the FAQ for employees posted on EinsteinConnect.
Guest
1:50
Can you explain the proper PPE protocol when interacting with patients?   Should we all be wearing masks with every patient interaction?
Einstein Healthcare Network
1:50
There is no guidance from CDC or public health authorities to wear a mask for all patient interaction. We cannot waste PPE now because this will quickly deplete our supplies and leave us without personal protective equipment for times when it is really needed. PPE should be used when there is suspected or confirmed infection but should not be used if there is no clinical evidence of an infection.
There is a PPE protocol available on the COVID-19 section of Einstein Connect
Guest
1:54
Does an employee returning to work after being sick need to be cleared by LiveWell first or is a physician's note acceptable?
Einstein Healthcare Network
1:54
Employees must be medically cleared by their treating healthcare provider before returning to work.
Emily Abdur Rahim
1:54
I have heard other office buildings that are open are taking people's temperature at the door. Do we have any plan for medical staff to conduct daily screenings to prevent the further spread of the disease?
Einstein Healthcare Network
1:54
At this time we aren't doing daily screening of staff prior to work. As this pandemic progresses and we see how the burden of illness changes in our community we may decide to implement such a process. If that needs to be done we will provide complete guidance on how to measure temperatures and who to report symptoms to.
Guest
1:56
We have no plans for mobile testing?  Testing in the parking lots? These patients are going to come to regular outpatient sites for testing?
Einstein Healthcare Network
1:56
There is planning underway for how we are going to implement a separate testing process. More information to come.
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