A universal mask policy could put health care workers at risk from receiving COVID-19

Study published in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine from researchers at Henry Ford’s Health System found that Henry Ford’s early implementation of a universal mask policy in COVID-19 pandemics was linked to reducing the risk of Henry Ford’s health care workers receiving COVID-19.

Through a retrospective study of an internal hospital quality metric analysis database unrelated to electronic medical records, researchers found a correlation between the implementation of Henry Ford’s universal mask policy and a significant reduction in the rate at whether its Healthcare staff tested positive for SARS -CoV-2. As COVID-19 diagnoses and hospitals across the State of Michigan continued to rise at the end of March 2020, cases among Henry Ford health care workers began to fall. By the time the first peak in COVID-19 cases occurred in the general population, the rate of cases among Henry Ford’s health care workers was already declining.

“This research confirms that wearing a mask is effective in reducing the risk of getting COVID-19 and confirmed our early decision to implement the universal mascara policy, not only to protect members of our team, but also to ensure that they are able to care for members of the community who have contracted COVID-19, “said Steven Kalkanis, MD, Group Chief Executive Henry Ford Medical. ”At the Henry Ford Health System, the universal mask policy introduced on 26 March 2020 ensured that all employees, both clinical and non-clinical, received surgical or surgical masks and prescribe that employees wear a mask at work while also following all other personal protective equipment requirements.We hope that the decisions of the study s encourages members of the community to wear a mask in accordance with the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “

Healthcare workers have a threefold greater risk of reporting positive for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, compared to the general population, according to study published in Lancet Public Health. As of March 22, 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported more than 450,000 SARS-CoV-2 infections among health care workers in the U.S. since the outbreak began, and nearly 1,500 COVID-19-related deaths among health care workers.

From March 12 to August 10, 2020, 19.2% of health care workers owned Henry Ford as a model for COVID-19 and underwent SARS-CoV-2 testing. By March 28-30 – the same change in data began when the rate of new cases began to decline – the number of health care workers confirmed with a positive SARS-CoV-2 test result doubled each 4.5 – 7.5 days. After March 30, the numbers of probationary health care workers decreased with a good result by half every 10.5 – 13.5 days.

“This effort would not have been possible without the leadership of our executive team, including our president and CEO Wright Lassiter, III, Dr. Steven Kalkanis, Dr. Adnan Munkarah’s chief clinical officer, and the chief executive operational officer Bob Riney, “said Dee Dee Wang, MD, Director of Structural Heart Imaging at Henry Ford Hospital and chief investigator of the study. “At a time when little was known about the novel coronavirus, this initiative helped greatly in keeping our healthcare workers safe. I would also like to thank Dr. Betty Chu, our chief clinical officer associate and chief quality officer, Dr. William O’Neill, director of our Center for Structural Heart Disease, Dr. Geehan Suleyman, medical director of Disease Control, Dr. Marcus Zervos, head of our Infectious Disease department, and many more was instrumental in the formulation and implementation of our universal policy mask. “

With the advent of COVID-variants in the community, even with COVID-19 vaccines now being rolled out, health care workers and members of the community should remain vigilant and continue to wear a mask in line with CDC recommendations.

Henry Ford provides online experience and oversees vaccine administration, medical care and work at the large Ford Field vaccine site. Vaccines are administered at Ford Field as well as a regular Michigan state vaccine dose. Key facts to know:

– Works seven days a week from 8 am – 8:30 am for eight weeks

– The U.S. Air Force provides immunization support

– 68 vaccine pods will be installed on the Ford Field Convention. Vaccines are open to those who meet the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services’ vaccine guidelines.

Recruitment registration and registration is regulated by Meijer. People can register in the following ways:

– Online at clinic.meijer.com/register/CL2021

– EndCOVID text to 75049

– Call the Michigan State Rescue Line COVID at 888-535-6136 (Press 1) Monday-Friday 8am – 5pm and Saturday / Sunday 8am – 1pm