03/14/2020
To our Valued Volunteers: As news reports continue to circulate related to the coronavirus (COVID19) outbreak, please know that a WellSpan cross-functional leadership team is actively planning and preparing for system-wide contingencies and is closely monitoring coronavirus updates to ensure the safety of our patients, visitors, staff, volunteers and unpaid interns.
Based on recent information from the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) and the PA Department of Health (PA DOH) and out of an abundance of caution, we are implementing the following guidelines for our Volunteers. These established guidelines are to ensure your safety as well as the safety of patients and staff members.
1. Effective immediately, volunteer assignments in our Emergency Department will be suspended until further notice. This is due to the unpredictability of patients that may show signs and symptoms of the disease.
2. Effective 3/10/20, when a Volunteer returns from a cruise, mandatory screening will be required before returning to volunteer. Please call the hotline number - 717-851-4788. You will be provided with instructions for next steps. For those Volunteers that recently returned from a cruise in the past 14 days (since March 9th), you will also need to contact Volunteer Services to report the cruise as well as calling the hotline number listed above. You will be placed on a mandatory 14-day leave of absence from volunteering.
3. Per the CDC guidelines, if you are a person at a higher risk, we strongly recommend you take a leave of absence immediately to help reduce your risk of getting sick with the disease. Those at higher risk include older adults or those with chronic health conditions, such heart disease, diabetes or lung disease. Please know that once the coronavirus is no longer a public health concern, we will have you return in your same assignment and same schedule. Please call Volunteer Services if you meet any of the criteria mentioned above so we can place you on a temporary leave of absence.
4. If you report for your shift and you are visibly sick, you will be sent home immediately.
5. If you do not meet any of the items listed above but want to take a leave of absence until the threat is minimized, we certainly understand and honor your decision. We will place you on a temporary leave of absence like the others. You will not be penalized and will maintain your same assignment and schedule upon your return. Please call Volunteer Services to discuss.
6. As mentioned previously, if a Volunteer traveled or has an immediate family member that traveled to China, Iran, Italy, Japan or South Korea within the past 30 days, you must participate in an over-the-phone health evaluation as soon as possible by calling #717-851-2909 for Employee Health & Safety or the nurse-on-call. Based on the conversation, WellSpan will work with the PA Department of Health to determine next steps. For up-to-date travel advisory information from the CDC, please visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html .
7. Due to concerns with having large group gatherings and anticipating many Volunteers will decide to take leaves of absences, we have decided to reschedule our Volunteer Recognition Lunch and Bingo. We will reschedule both events once the virus risk has been minimized.
We realize that these strategies may seem a bit drastic. We are so grateful for all that you do for our patients, families and staff, however, our Volunteers’ safety is of utmost importance to us.
Just as a reminder, the best way to prevent the spread of germs each and every day is practicing proper respiratory etiquette (covering your cough with your sleeve, not your hand), using proper hand washing techniques (at minimum 20 seconds and doing it frequently), using hand sanitizer and staying home/limiting contact with others when sick.
If you have any questions about these new guidelines, please contact Waynesboro Volunteer Services.
Thank you for all you do!! Eileen Roeder
