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UMass Memorial Medical Center's new self-reporting program for employees works through a phone app.
April 20, 2020
UMass Memorial starts employee self-monitoring program
Photo | Grant Welker
A sign outside UMass Memorial Medical Center's University Campus in Worcester makes it clear: the hospital doesn't want any visitors, with only limited exceptions, to minimize the spread of coronavirus.
By Grant Welker
UMass Memorial Medical Center is starting on Monday a new program requiring employees to report before each shift through an app whether they have a new cough, shortness of breath or fever.
The new self-monitoring program is the latest health safety measure by UMass Memorial, which has already required employees to wear a mask throughout their shift and to be monitored washing their hands when arriving at work. Those wearing N95 masks are also asked not to wear make-up because it makes them unable to be used again.
UMass Memorial has had 75 employees test positive for coronavirus, according to Chief Medical Officer Andrew Karson, who briefed employees on an online meeting Friday. Of those, 38 have returned to work. Throughout the UMass Memorial system, 85 have tested positive and 43 have returned to work.
All employees, including physicians, residents and contractors, are now required to report their health status in a program UMass Memorial said complies with Massachusetts Department of Public Health and U.S. Centers for Disease Control requirements. The same is required of employees working from home.
Employees who report a new cough, shortness of breath or fever are required to report it in the app and to immediately notify their supervisor.
Patients are also now required to wear masks. Visitors have been required to do so since March 23, as well as fill out a questionnaire and have their temperature taken.
In other new developments at UMass Memorial, the hospital has received U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval to use convalescent plasma from a recovered coronavirus patient for a potential new treatment for the virus. Dr. Jonathan Gerber, the medical director of the UMass Memorial Cancer Center, is leading the program in partnership with the American Red Cross.
UMass Memorial has also again further postponed elective procedures, this time until May 1. They were first postponed starting March 16 to free up space and personnel for coronavirus cases.
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