January 26, 2022 @ 2:45 p.m.
Every Tuesday, Dr. Sherrill Brown, Medical Director, Infection Prevention; Olivia Lee, Manager, Legislative and Advocacy Affairs; and Diego Fuentes, Senior Manager, Benefits and Leave of Absence, update our clinic and corporate lines of business leaders.

This week, Denise Gomez, Benefits Specialist, Human Resources, presented.

You can listen to the recording here.
Sherrill Brown, M.D.
Olivia Lee
Diego Fuentes
Booster Events for AltaMed Employees
 
Nearly 60% of AltaMed employees have already received the COVID-19 booster. Yesterday, Employee Health emailed employees who have yet to provide proof of receiving the booster.

If you received the COVID-19 booster outside of AltaMed, email a copy of your booster card to Employee Health so they can update their records.
 
AltaMed is hosting booster events for employees who need to get boosted before the Tuesday, February 1 state-mandated deadline—click below to schedule your appointment:

 
Please Note:
  • If you are already scheduled to receive your booster elsewhere, submit a copy of your record to Employee Health right after.
  • If you recently completed the original COVID-19 vaccine series and are still within the designated waiting period, you will not be subject to the February 1 mandate. However, you will have to comply with the mandate once the waiting period has passed.
  • The booster requirement does not apply to those employees with an approved medical exemption.
  • For any questions or concerns, contact Employee Health.
Test Kits Available for Patients and Employees Only

At this time, AltaMed will be reserving the HRSA-supplied at-home rapid COVID-19 test kits for our patients and employees only. We will also be limiting the number of kits handed out to two boxes per person per day. Sites may reduce that maximum number, if needed.

We will no longer be handing out the at-home testing kits to the general public. Please prioritize kits for:
  1. Those seeking testing in the clinic (MD Labs or in the clinic).
  2. For patients coming in for appointments or any type of visit.
  3. For patients sent after telehealth visits to pick up a test kit.
  4. Patient testing in the clinics.
  5. For employees for their own personal use.
  6. For employees testing in the clinics.

AltaMed patients should identify themselves as our patients in order to pick up a test kit. You may ask for their AltaMed membership card or Medi-Cal card. Continue to order test kits from the Supply Chain. These kits can be sent to all AltaMed sites, even non-clinical sites, for employee distribution.
Masks and Wearing a Mask

Recently in the media, there has been news and information about free N95 masks being available at community health centers and pharmacies. AltaMed has not been given any N95 masks to hand out to the community.

When and if this opportunity comes, we will then send additional communication to let you know how we will be distributing those types of masks. Please Note: Medical grade masks are available to all employees and they should be worn by employees at all times for source control.

Below is a new question received and answered by the COVID-19 Response Team about masks in the workplace:

Q: Will AltaMed comply with the newly revised health orders for LA County employers to provide medical grade masks in the workplace, including staff at Corporate?
 
A: We are currently in compliance. All masks provided to AltaMed staff are medical grade masks and can be ordered through the Supply Chain. Surgical masks and KN95 masks are also available at Corporate or other administrative locations upon entry screening areas. In addition, those requesting N95 masks may make an appointment with Employee Health to get fit-tested. We recommend that Corporate administrative staff wear either a double surgical mask or a Corporate-supplied KN95 mask for source control. Fitted N95 masks are more appropriate for direct patient care encounters.
Testing Service for AltaMed Patients

MD Labs continues to provide free COVID-19 PCR testing to AltaMed patients at AltaMed Medical and Dental Group – Anaheim and AltaMed Medical and Dental Group – South Gate. The pop-up testing sites are open from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Appointments are not required and results will take 24 to 72 hours.

Direct AltaMed patients seeking primary diagnosis of COVID-19 to these sites. They will need to provide an ID, and if they have insurance, they will need to provide that information as well. Patients without insurance will still be tested. An email address is also required so the results can be sent to them.
Free Support and Resources Offered by CalHOPE
 
In partnership with CalHOPE, Health Education and Wellness is offering free crisis counseling and other support services to patients, employees, and community members affected by COVID-19. Informational cards have been distributed to all clinics and PACE centers.

For questions about this initiative or to request more cards, contact Michelle Madrid, Manager, Health Education and Wellness.
Ongoing Safety Reminders at AltaMed

  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 their 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. If employees need to be within six feet of someone for a prolonged period of time, wear a face shield and face mask in both administrative and clinical settings—avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. In addition, a face shield and face mask need to be worn at all times when interacting with patients.
  6. Employees must wear appropriate PPE when on site. 
Questions and Communications

To read the COVID-19 Huddle Notes, please click here. The news articles in the Notes can be found below:

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

FAQs
  • Click here to read the most recent FAQs
  • Refer to the weekly FAQs in earlier editions of the COVID-19 Alert to see if your questions have already been answered
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.