December 16, 2020 @ 4:30 p.m.
Every Wednesday, Dr. Sherrill Brown, Medical Director, Infection Prevention; Berenice Constant, Vice President, Government Affairs and Civic Engagement; and Steven Satzger, Director, Learning and Training, update our clinic and corporate line of business leaders.

This morning Olivia Lee, Manager, Legislative and Advocacy Affairs, presented on behalf of Government Affairs.  

You can listen to today's recording here or read today's notes here.
Sherrill Brown, MD
Berenice Constant
Steven Satzger
Questions & Communications

We welcome your questions, suggestions and input. We do review each question and respond appropriately, so please continue to email us—click here. Know that this is a safe space and most questions will be answered individually prior to being shared anonymously with staff.

How to Stay Informed
  • Wednesday morning COVID-19 huddles
  • Wednesday afternoon COVID-19 Alerts emailed to all employees
  • COVID-19 resource and policy pages on Town Square
  • altamed.org/coronavirus
  • Periodic emails, as needed

FAQs
  • Click here to read the weekly FAQs
  • Refer to the weekly FAQs in earlier editions of the COVID-19 Alert to see if your questions have already been answered
Q & A of the Week

Q: On multiple occasions, I've noticed employees grabbing surgical masks from the box without sanitizing their hands upon entering our corporate office. There is a hand sanitizer dispenser right next to the box but those employees refuse to use it.
 
From the COVID-19 Response Team
A: Yes, we should all be cleaning our hands before and after touching shared surfaces. There is probably a lower risk of cross contamination in the mask box, but we need to all be practicing common courtesy and infection prevention measures at all times.
Current Information on COVID-19 Vaccine
 
Vaccine Planning and Questions
  • AltaMed has several teams working on our processes, preparedness, and communications around the COVID-19 vaccine launch. We will share information with our employees, providers and patients as these are developed. Please visit our website for current information—this site is updated regularly.
  • You can submit questions here as we are in the process of developing employee and patient FAQs.
  • A WebEx has gone out for every clinical site on how to complete the COVID-19 vaccine application. Please request that a representative from your clinic attend. 
  • Dr. Sherrill Brown is presenting "What AltaMed Providers Should Know About COVID-19 Vaccine Safety" at a special Grand Rounds on Thursday, December 17 at 12:15 p.m.
  • To join via WebEx, go to the link.
  • Join by meeting number
  • Meeting number (access code): 146 372 1131
  • Meeting password: YPyZ2kMGF52
  • Tap to join from a mobile device (attendees only)
  • 1 (844) 992-4726,1463721131## United States Toll Free
  • +1 (408) 418-9388,1463721131## United States Toll

Vaccine Distribution
California has launched a $38 million "Vaccinate All 58" campaign, which will highlight safety and equity and involve partnerships with community leaders. Currently, 2.1 to 2.6 million total vaccine doses are expected for California by the end of 2020.

  • Phase 1a Tier 1:
  • Acute care, psychiatric and correctional facility hospitals
  • Skilled nursing facilities, assisted living facilities, and similar settings for older or medically vulnerable persons
  • Paramedics, EMTs and others providing emergency medical services
  • Dialysis centers
  • Phase 1a Tier 2:
  • Intermediate health care facilities
  • Home health care and in-home supportive services
  • Community health workers
  • Public health field staff
  • Primary care clinics, including Federally Qualified Health Centers, Rural Health Centers, correctional facility clinics and urgent care clinics
  • Phase 1a Tier 3: Other settings and health care workers, including:
  • Specialty clinics
  • Laboratory workers
  • Dental/oral health clinics
  • Pharmacy staff not working in settings at higher tiers

COVID-19 Tracker
  • Click here to see where California stands.
Reminder: Volunteers Still Needed During the COVID-19 Surge
 
For those non-clinical staff who are willing to volunteer to help during the COVID-19 surge period, review the FAQ to answer some of your questions and consult with your manager before you complete this Volunteer Survey. The Talent Management department is available to answer additional questions or concerns.

Now, more than ever, we appeal to you to demonstrate your commitment to our mission. We recognize that this year is uniquely challenging for all of us, both at work and in our personal lives. We appreciate that your regular work is important, but our top priority during this crisis is guaranteeing access to care. Information can also be found on Town Square (bottom right news block).
Holiday Gatherings at Work
 
It is always important to follow safety guidelines, even around the holidays. Visit AltaMed.org to learn more about holiday safety.

If your department is planning a holiday potluck or get-together, please remember:
  • Wear a mask except when eating or drinking.
  • Limit the number of attendees as much as possible and remain at least six feet apart at all times.
  • Encourage staff to bring food and drinks for themselves—use single-serve containers or box lunches.
  • Use single-use options, like salad dressings, food containers, plates and utensils, and condiments; do not handle shared items.
  • Clean and disinfect commonly used surfaces at all times.
  • Hold outdoor, rather than indoor, gatherings as much as possible. Even outdoors, require staff to wear masks when not eating or drinking.
  • Avoid holding gatherings in crowded or smaller conference rooms or spaces.

Continue to adhere to all safety guidelines while at work (see the information below).
AltaMed Safety Guidelines

  1. Wear your masks—Face masks are to be worn at all times over your nose and mouth (except when drinking or eating), and should be stored properly or discarded. Patients need to wear masks at all times in examination rooms as well.
  2. Maintain hand hygiene—Staff should have easy access to hand sanitizer dispensers to clean hands frequently, and should wash hands for 20 seconds at a time.
  3. Practice physical distancing—Stay six feet apart from other individuals whether inside or outside.
  4. Wipe down any work surfaces you touch.
  5. Patient-facing staff, including front office if no plexiglass barrier is used, should wear a face shield or eye covering in addition to a face mask—avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
  6. Employees must wear appropriate PPE when on site.
Flu Vaccines Still Available to Employees

Flu vaccines are still available to our employees. Please remember to submit proof of receiving the flu vaccine outside of AltaMed and/or completing your declination form—directions are listed below.


Influenza Surveillance Report
Click the influenza surveillance report as provided by the CDC to follow how the flu is progressing throughout the country.
Human Resources Updates

  • Ransomware Training Update: All employees must complete the mandatory training by Friday, January 8, 2021. To access the training, go to Town Square and click on My HR Services and sign in.

  • BLS/CPR: Notification is sent on a monthly basis to staff prior to their 90-day certificate expiration. Managers are copied on this list and are asked to follow up with staff to email a copy of their certificate to [email protected]. 

  • UnidosUS has made student loan check-ups available to AltaMed employees. Click here to learn more or to take part.
Please Note: If you are contacted by the media with questions about the coronavirus outbreak or for any other reason, please email Veronica Orozco, Sr. Manager, Public Relations. The Public Relations team monitors all media coverage of AltaMed (social and traditional platforms) to uphold our reputation. If you have questions and concerns regarding media coverage, please call Veronica at (323) 482-3073. If you'd like to read news releases from AltaMed, visit our external website, AltaMed.org under Newsroom.