Dear Colleagues,
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COVID-19 Cases: |
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BMC Total Inpatients |
105 |
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BMC Inpatients Requiring ICU Care |
24 |
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Cumulative Staff Who Have Tested Positive (as of March 2020) |
2,266 (as of 1/5) |
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Massachusetts Cases |
1,159,950 |
Click to see the most up-to-date city, state, and national numbers: Boston | Massachusetts | United States
NEW: Virtual Town Hall Meeting Jan. 7
Tomorrow, January 7, at 11 a.m., we will be hosting a special virtual Town Hall meeting, led by Kate Walsh, to share important updates on our COVID-19 response and give staff the opportunity to ask questions. Everyone is invited to attend (Zoom information is available on the Hub calendar). The meeting will be recorded and posted on the Hub for anyone who is unable to join live.
REMINDER: Wellbeing Resources Available
As COVID-19 cases continue to surge and BMC remains very busy, we want to remind you of the wellbeing resources and support available for all BMC and BUMG employees. A list of these resources can be found on the Hub. Please continue to take care of yourselves and each other.
REMINDER: COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Doses Recommended for Everyone
Studies show that COVID-19 vaccine booster doses are crucial in protecting people against the Omicron variant. The sections of Infection Prevention and Infectious Disease strongly recommend that all employees and LIPs get boosted to help stop the spread of COVID-19.
People who got the Johnson & Johnson vaccine are encouraged to get a booster shot as soon as possible, while those who got the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine should get their booster six months after the second dose. Appointments for BMC and BUMG employees can be scheduled through this link, which can also be found on the Hub.
NEW: Further Restrictions on Elective Procedures Effective Jan. 10
Due to high hospital volume and staffing constraints, the following restrictions will be put in place beginning Monday, January 10:
- All essential elective operations and procedures that require an in-patient stay will be postponed. This includes overnight observation cases. Urgent and emergency operations and procedures will proceed as usual.
- Non-essential elective outpatient operations and procedures will be postponed. Only essential elective outpatient operations and procedures will proceed.
- Elective endoscopies and colonoscopies will be postponed. We will still accommodate urgent and emergency cases.
Teams are reviewing their surgical schedules and will be in touch with affected patients.
NEW: COVID-19 Vaccine Boosters Available to Children Ages 12-15 as of Jan. 7
Beginning tomorrow, January 7, BMC will be able to provide COVID-19 vaccine boosters to children ages 12-15, in addition to those ages 16 and 17. The CDC and FDA recently recommended that everyone in these age groups who have received two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine should get a booster dose.
People in this age group will be able to schedule booster appointments at all BMC community vaccination sites, or walk in. Parent or guardian consent will be required. You can also page CVAX (#2829) to have a member of the roving nurse team come to provide the vaccination during a patient visit.
Currently, 12-15 year olds will not appear as due for a booster in Epic; updates from Epic for boosters for this age group will be coming later. Please ensure that your patient is due for a booster based on timing of their second dose. Vaccinators will encounter warnings when documenting the vaccine booster – these will need to be bypassed in order to provide a booster dose.
UPDATED: COVID-19 Employee Testing Process
Please note that starting Monday, January 10, the testing location for employees will be moved to 750 Albany St. in the Power Plant parking lot.
All employee testing is by appointment only:
- Symptomatic testing for employees with symptoms or exposure to a confirmed case of COVID-19 is available seven days a week. If you have symptoms of COVID-19, do not come to work. Email COVID19WWC@bmc.org to schedule a testing appointment.
- Asymptomatic testing for indirect exposures and post-travel is available seven days a week. Employees can self-schedule an appointment through MyChart. Testing appointments are available on a first come, first served basis.
- Asymptomatic testing for pre-gathering, pre-travel, and peace of mind: Employees can self-schedule an appointment through MyChart. If you are an existing BMC patient and do not have a MyChart account, click here to register.
Employee testing is now be available on Saturdays and Sundays through January from 7:30 a.m. to noon. More information on scheduling testing can be found on the Hub.
To receive your test results as soon as possible, please enroll in MyChart. You may self-clear to work with a negative result. Please note that to manage the large volume of positive results you may receive an email or text message from the COVID Working Well Clinic. If so, please respond to the questions to facilitate the return to work process.
NEW: Restrictions on Aerosol Generating Procedures for COVID-Positive Patients Removed
As of January 5, BMC is no longer restricting aerosol generating procedures (AGPs) for COVID-19 positive patients. This primarily involves non-invasive ventilation, such as BiPAP and CPAP. Please note that metered dose inhalers (MDIs) should continue to be used preferentially for inhaled medications in COVID-positive patients.
Please continue to follow all PPE guidelines for patient care.