Effective Monday, February 5, 2024, as part of our continuous efforts to ensure we protect our staff and customers—especially our most vulnerable, such as our elders, babies and others with compromised immune systems—YKHC has implemented some changes to our Employee Masking in the Workplace SOP and Symptom Free Workplace policy.

Some key changes to these policies are highlighted below. However, all employees should read and understand these policies. Department managers should review SOP and polices with staff and ensure current guidelines are being followed.

Employee Masking in the Workplace Standard Operating Process

The Employee Masking in the Workplace SOP can be accessed at this link: https://ykhc.ellucid.com/documents/view/39899

Under this updated SOP, employees are required to wear a mask for any patient-facing encounter when there is a high burden of infectious respiratory illness that affects hospital resources.  The specific criteria that will trigger mandatory masking are:

1. Six or more hospitalizations in the prior 7 days are attributed to influenza-like illnesses
   • Or
2. The percent positivity rate of greater or equal to 20% for SARS Respiratory panels over a 7-day period.

These two conditions will be evaluated weekly. Changes to the current masking requirements will be communicated in the Napartet News.

Due to current rates of infectious influenza-like illness, all employees must currently utilize surgical masks in patient-facing circumstances.   

 Symptom Free Workplace Policy

The Symptom Free Workplace Policy can be accessed at this link: https://ykhc.ellucid.com/documents/view/38725 

Under this updated policy –

1. Employees who develop acute symptoms of illness (respiratory symptoms, sore throat, nausea, vomiting diarrhea) should not work and consider testing for COVID-19.
   1. Employees negative for COVID-19:
      • Employees with fever (temperature >100.4) should not work until fever has resolved for 24 hours without use of fever reducing medications.
      • Employees with symptoms of influenza-like illness or other illness should not work until symptoms have resolved without use of medication.
   2. Employees positive for COVID-19:
      • If an employee is positive for COVID-19 and symptomatic, they should remain in isolation for 5 days of onset of symptoms
      • If an employee is positive for COVID-19 and asymptomatic or symptoms resolve, returning to work may be considered but mitigation strategies, as able, must be implemented including universal masking, social distancing, hand hygiene and use of separate work spaces.
      • Individuals who test positive for COVID-19 are required to wear a surgical mask in the workplace for 10 days of their onset of symptoms or positive test.

See the Time and Attendance Policy for details related to calling in sick.

If you have additional questions about this policy, please contact Employee Health or Infection Prevention.

Reminder about YKHC’s vaccination policy

We also wanted to remind all employees of the requirement to be in compliance with YKHC’s policies on influenza and COVID vaccinations.

All employees must receive a 2023/2024 flu shot, unless they have an approved, written exemption. Employees who have received an exemption must wear a mask through the end of influenza season in any YKHC facility at all times. Read the full policy at Influenza and COVID-19 Vaccination Policy for Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation Personnel

All employees must have at least the primary two-shot COVID vaccination series or the one-shot vaccine developed in fall 2023, unless they have an approved, written exemption.  Employees who have received an exemption must wear a mask at all times while in any YKHC facility. Read the full policy at Procedure on Influenza and COVID-19 Vaccination Policy for Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation Personnel

• A list of employees who are not compliant with these policies is being sent to managers, who will follow up with employees.
• To schedule a vaccination with employee health, log into Immuware, complete the consent form and pick a time.
• Employees who received a vaccination in any location other than Employee Health must submit documentation of the vaccine directly through their personal Immuware account.

If you have questions about any part of these updates or policies, please reach out to your manager.

We appreciate your cooperation with these changes and on your ongoing commitment to providing excellent care for our patients.