December 9, 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.

You can 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 that 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: Given the current surge, will AltaMed locations test their employees regularly?
 
From the COVID-19 Response Team
A: We are monitoring public health and CDC guidance regularly with regard to recommendations for routine testing of health care staff. At this time, there is no recommendation to test asymptomatic staff members who are not in acute care hospitals or congregate living facilities with no known exposure to COVID-19. We will continue to update our staff on any new guidance. Please reference our Employee Epidemic Screening and Testing Policy.
Volunteers 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).
COVID-19 Surge and Vaccine Updates
 
At AltaMed
  • It is important to follow the stay-at-home orders and comply with safety guidelines, including wearing a mask, washing your hands, and maintaining your physical distance (see safety guidelines below).
  • We have seen a surge in COVID-19 positivity rates—it is now at 25 percent.
  • We are doing everything we can to ensure everyone’s safety. We have a shortage in staffing—both clinical and non-clinical. Please follow all safety precautions at work; for example, if driving with a colleague for lunch, please wear a mask.

California Vaccine Update
  • California successfully submitted a request for its first orders last Friday (part of an initial 327,000 to be sent to the state); anticipated delivery date is December 15.
  • The first doses will go to facilities to vaccinate high-risk health care workers.
  • The FDA's approval of the Pfizer vaccine is expected on December 10; they will discuss the Moderna vaccine on December 17.

Local Vaccine Information
  • Los Angeles County could get 84,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses by next week. The plan will be to rapidly deploy the doses to frontline health care workers.

Stay-At-Home Order
  • On Sunday, December 6, Pasadena became the last city in Los Angeles County to close outdoor dining.
  • The Orange County Sheriff's department has stated they will not enforce the stay-at-home order.

COVID-19 Tracker
  • Click here to see where California stands. Currently, all of Southern California has moved under the stay-at-home tier.
Flu Vaccines Still Available to Employees

Dr. Sherrill Brown will announce the November flu vaccine winners at next week's huddle. 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.
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.
Cash Out Unused PTO
 
If you would like to cash out some of your PTO in 2021, you must submit your request during the election period ending December 31. The guidelines for the program, including eligibility and payout date, can be found on Town Square. Contact the Benefits Department for questions. 
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.