New guidelines for mask wearing at Beaumont sites

As the third surge of the COVID-19 pandemic comes to an end, Beaumont has updated mask-wearing guidelines effective immediately for team members based on potential for patient contact, location and vaccination status.

Unvaccinated team members are highly encouraged to schedule an appointment as soon as possible to protect themselves and ensure a safe and healthy work environment for team members, patients and visitors.

Fully vaccinated team members may remove their masks in certain situations such as, during meetings or at personal workstations if there is no potential for patient contact. All employees, regardless of vaccination status, are required to wear masks in areas with potential for patient contact. When in doubt, err on the side of caution and wear a mask. 

Team members who are not fully vaccinated must continue to wear masks in areas with potential for patient contact and in common areas and during in-person meetings regardless of the potential for patient contact. Those not fully vaccinated may remove their masks at their personal workstation if six feet of social distancing can be maintained. Beaumont continues to promote vaccination; please visit one of our clinics if you are unvaccinated. 

Patients and visitors must continue to wear masks while in Beaumont facilities.

As a reminder, employees must complete the online health assessment before entering any Beaumont facility. For easy access to the assessment on your mobile device, type Beaumont.org/clear in any internet browser to view your latest Clear for Work assessment or to submit a new one for the day.  

If you have questions, please talk to your immediate supervisor.

Help save a life by donating blood

According to the American Cancer Society, cancer patients use nearly 1/4 of the blood supply — more than patients fighting any other disease — but only 3% of Americans donate blood in a given year. As blood supplies are at an extreme low, it is up to us to help those who need it to survive. Help save a life — please schedule your appointment to donate today.

New hazardous drug policies go into effect June 15

To protect the health of Beaumont Health employees, on Tuesday, June 15, new hazardous drug policies will go into effect, outlining new processes for the handling of hazardous drugs and the necessary precautions to be taken.

The changes outlined in the policy are in line with a new chapter from the United States Pharmacopeia, Chapter <800> (USP <800>). USP <800> addresses potential long-term, low-level exposure by health care workers to medications that have been deemed hazardous by various regulatory bodies. USP <800> recognizes that there are risks over time and establishes guidelines to assess risk and implement protections for our health care workforce. 

While these changes primarily impact the Pharmacy and Nursing departments, there are aspects of HD handling that touch many more disciplines, such as Lab, Environmental Services and Surgical Services. In preparation for the upcoming changes, HealthStream modules related to USP <800> have been assigned to impacted departments. Staff are also being asked to sign an Acknowledgement of Risk document as part of the education, due to potential interactions with HDs. The education is being integrated into New Hire Orientation for all new Beaumont team members, and relevant job descriptions are being updated.

Staff will notice changes in oneChart and automated dispensing machines to help alert them to HDs that have been ordered and the personal protective equipment required when handling. Patient and bathroom room signage to alert employees of potential HD exposure. Moreover, new screensavers on Beaumont Health computers will be displayed to help staff become more familiar with the changes. 

Leaders will need to work with their site’s go-live leads from Pharmacy and Nursing to ensure their units are prepared with required PPE supplies, HD spill kits and know what to do in the event of a HD spill. Site leads are available for any questions or concerns department leaders may have. Additional information related to the USP <800> project, go-live and resources are available on the USP 800 Reference web page.

oneChart planned downtime for June 13 

oneChart will be unavailable for maintenance on Sunday, June 13, from 2-4 a.m. Use established downtime instructions, including the Shadow Read Only environment, during this time frame. Please contact the Service Desk with questions or issues at 888-481-2448. 

Isiah Thomas sends thanks for your teamwork, integrity

Another special guest dropped by to wish YOU a happy Health Care Week — former Pistons’ captain Isiah Thomas. If you can’t access Vimeo or need closed captioning, please try it on Microsoft Stream.

Watch now