November 11, 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, give an update for clinic and corporate line of business leaders.

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 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: What is AltaMed's policy on holding in-person staff meetings? With the number of COVID-19 cases going up in LA County, can and should departments schedule outdoor meetings as long as team members wear masks?
 
From the COVID-19 Response Team
A: AltaMed is committed to creating a safe work environment for all. Staff are encouraged to schedule meetings via conference calls for the time being, and if not able, to ensure that there are no more than 10 people within one conference room. All employees are required to adhere to social distancing guidelines. If you have concerns or would like to report policy violations, please contact your HR Business Partner directly.  
COVID-19 Numbers on the Rise

COVID During the Holidays
The number of COVID cases has risen throughout the state and in both Los Angeles and Orange counties. A rise in cases is usually reflective of what's happened two to three weeks prior. With the upcoming holidays, it's more important than ever that we all adhere to safety measures at work and at home. Please refer to the safety guidelines in this Alert.

COVID and Kids
With many schools reopening and children returning to in-person learning, they may be susceptible to colds, the flu, and COVID.
  • Dr. Tiffany Damikolas, Regional Medical Director, Orange County, sent an email a few months ago that talks about high-risk and low-risk symptoms for COVID-19. The algorithm will be redistributed to all employees.
  • If the child has a low-risk symptom, then they need to be afebrile (without a fever) before returning to school.
  • If they have one high-risk symptom or two or more low-risk symptoms, then there may be a concern for COVID-19.
  • If there is a parent with a high-risk patient, then the employee likely should not be going to work. Please be conservative with this, as we do need the workforce.  

Wear Your Masks
We need to be wearing masks at all times. We cannot be infecting people at work or at home. We need to be wearing our masks in the cubicles. If a staff member is in the office with closed doors, then it is okay to not wear a mask, but if someone walks in, please be sure to put your mask on.

Questions or Concerns

COVID Tracker
Click here to see where Southern California and every county in California stands.
Help Prevent the Flu


Influenza Surveillance Report
Click to view the weekly influenza surveillance report as provided by the CDC to follow how the flu is progressing.

Flu Vaccination Starbucks Raffle Winners!
Click here to see the list of employees who won a Starbucks gift card for meeting all three goals – completing the census, voting, and getting their flu vaccine.
What You Can Do to Stay Safe
 
This is a reminder for all of us to adhere to the safety guidelines below:
  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 – 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.
Open Enrollment Continues Through November 20

Open Enrollment continues until November 20. Participation is mandatory for all benefit-eligible employees. The following informational webinars are available:


The Benefits Support Center is available Monday through Friday from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. to assist with benefit-related questions or to help enroll employees over the phone at (323) 720-5670, Option 1.
Remembering Our Veterans

As we celebrate Veterans Day today, we extend our gratitude, respect and honor to all our AltaMed employees, staff, families and patients who have served in the armed forces.

Thank you to all who have served and continue to serve. 
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.