Based on guidance by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the State of Alaska, in an effort to protect our customers and employees, effective immediately YKHC will require employees to wear face coverings or masks upon entry to the workplace. This requirement extends facility-wide, in all patient care and non-patient care areas. 

Further, members of the public are requested to provide their own face covering for use when in a YKHC facility. Dependent on supply availability, they will be given a mask to wear for the entire duration of their stay in our facility.

As more research comes forward about how COVID-19 spreads, health organizations advise that use of a face covering in public settings, especially where social distancing is difficult to maintain, slows the spread of the virus. Face coverings also helps to keep asymptomatic individuals, who may not be aware they have the virus, from spreading it to others. 

Please refer to the following guidance for the types of masks that should be worn in the workplace. As a result of uncertain global supply chain during this state of emergency and the finite level of supplies available locally, we ask staff to conserve and prioritize face covering/mask use as noted below. 

Homemade cloth masks

Whenever possible, YKHC encourages staff in non-clinical and non-patient care positions to wear homemade cloth face coverings to meet this masking requirement. The CDC provides information on how to wear cloth face coverings, how they work, and instructions on how to make them HERE.  

When wearing homemade cloth face coverings, staff must adhere to the following guidelines:

1. A clean, freshly laundered mask will be used at the start of each day.
2. Each mask will be laundered daily.
3. The employee is responsible for ensuring the mask is in good repair and freshly laundered every day. 
4. YKHC will not be laundering homemade cloth masks at this time. Each employee must launder their own mask.
5. For employees without access to a washing machine, see the manual washing instructions below.

YKHC-made masks (made of sterile wrap)

YKHC Dental staff have made masks with material used to wrap sterile instruments. These masks will be made available to employees by their managers. 

Villages without an adequate supply of surgical masks will be prioritized to receive sterile wrap masks, though as supply allows they will be made available in Bethel facilities.

When wearing sterile wrap masks, staff must adhere to the following guidelines:

1. Each mask is used for one day, then deposited at the end of the day into a specified collection bin before leaving the workplace.
2. A new mask shall be worn at the start of each day.
3. In Bethel, these masks will be laundered and disinfected for reuse by YKHC. Employees who wish, may launder their own mask made from sterile wrap, or they can use the manual washing instructions below.
4. For village-based use, please follow the manual washing instructions below.
5. Masks that are damaged will be discarded.

Surgical masks

Due to limited availability of surgical masks, only employees with direct patient contact will be provided a surgical mask. Each surgical mask will need to be worn for 3 days or until visibly soiled. In facilities that do not have adequate supplies of surgical or sterile wrap masks, homemade cloth face coverings are allowed. 

N95 respirators

Due to global shortages, N95 respirators will be reserved for staff performing aerosol generating procedures. A recycling program for N95 masks is being investigated. YKHC is starting the following program to conserve our N95 mask supply. 

Staff provided an N95 mask must adhere to the following guidelines:

1. At the start of each employee’s work week, the employee will check out one N95 from the central hospital critical PPE depository.
2. Only one mask per employee will be issued.
3. Only employees who may perform aerosols generating procedures are eligible for an N95.
4. The N95 must be stored in a paper bag between uses.
5. If the N95 is usable at the end of the work week (i.e. it hasn’t been worn an excessive amount, etc.) it may be used for another week.
6. In order to get another N95 for the next work week, the old N95 must be turned in.
7. If the N95 gets visibly soiled, another one can be issued in return for the soiled mask.
8. Those required to wear an N95 respirator for work, if necessary will be required to shave facial hair in order to properly fit the PPE.

Manual Washing Instructions for Face Coverings + Masks

For employees without access to washing machines, staff should adhere to the following manual washing instructions: 

1. Clean mask with soapy water
2. Rinse
3. Submerge mask into bleach solution of 1,000 parts per million (or 1/2 cup) bleach per 1 gallon of water for TWO hours
4. Wring mask of excess fluid and dry completely

Friendly Reminder

We cannot rely on face coverings or masks as the primary way to prevent transmission of COVID-19. The best protective measures to reduce spread remain washing/sanitizing hands frequently, avoid touching your face, disinfect frequently touched surfaces, maintain at least six feet between yourself and others, and stay at home unless it is necessary to leave.