Employee Health has detected a hot spot of COVID-19 cases among our Cardiopulmonary team. One employee who tested positive was identified as the source of exposure, and two employees who were in close contact with this person have now also tested positive. All employees in contact with these staff members have been notified and screened for symptoms. Patients who have come into contact with exposed staff members are also being notified.

The following causes of the transmission have been identified:

• The employee came to work with active symptoms of COVID-19
• The employee did not wear their mask at all times

If you see a staff member, patient, or visitor not wearing their mask safely, it is your duty to say something to the non-compliant person, to your manager, or through reporting a safety event. We must all be accountable for the safety of our teams and our patients, and non-compliance with our continuous masking policy must be reported immediately. Our patients depend on us to keep them safe, we must not let them down. *Some admitted patients may be excluded depending on their clinical presentation - please refer to the continuous masking policy.

How to address masking non-compliance directly with a fellow staff member, patient, or visitor.

If you encounter another staff member who is non-compliant with current masking protocols, it is your duty to say something to the non-compliant person or your manager right away, or report a safety event if you are unable to address the situation directly. Masking non-compliance includes, but is not limited to, the following common scenarios for any employee, patient, or visitor you encounter at Valley:

• Wearing their mask improperly (below their nose, below their chin, etc.)
• Removing their mask in public areas
• Removing their mask in break areas or work rooms while not social-distancing
• Removing their mask to talk on the phone or with others

What should you say to the non-compliant person?

For fellow staff: "I noticed that your mask is not fitting properly (or below your nose, below your chin, removed, etc.) and according to our continuous masking policy, we are all required to wear our masks at all times. If you could please adjust your mask, it will help keep us and our patients safe."

For patients or visitors: "I am not sure if you were aware, but we have a continuous masking policy at Valley and we must ask that all patients and visitors, as well as staff, wear a mask or face covering at all times. Please wear your mask so that it covers your nose and mouth at all times to help keep us and our patients and visitors safe."

Read more talking points here.​

How to address masking non-compliance with your manager.

If you encounter a staff member, patient, or visitor who is non-compliant with current masking protocols (either on your team or in another department) and you are NOT comfortable speaking directly to the non-compliant person, it is your duty to say something to your manager right away.

What should you say to your manager?

For fellow staff: "I noticed that [John Doe] is not wearing their mask properly (below the nose, below the chin, removed, etc.) and I am asking for your help to address the situation."

For patients or visitors: "I noticed that a patient (or visitor) in room XXXX is not wearing their mask properly (below the nose, below the chin, removed, etc.) and I am asking for your help to address the situation."

** If you are concerned about improper mask use or enforcement of masking by your manager, please notify the next person in your department's chain of command (e.g. your manager's manager), or report a safety event.

How to address masking non-compliance by reporting a safety event.

We understand that every department is unique and that not all teams may be able or comfortable addressing non-compliance directly. If you cannot address masking non-compliance with your team directly, please report a safety event to notify the identified department leader and Employee Health.

Valley's Caregiver Commitment and How You're Protected when Reporting an Event

To show my commitment to our patients, I will: Make the people I serve my HIGHEST PRIORITY by placing their needs first. I believe that we deliver the best care when all members of the team are treated with respect by demonstrating commitment to the following Values and Service Culture Guidelines:

Safety is our Core Value

• I will strive for Zero Harm
• I will proactively seek out safety concerns
• I will speak up about safety concerns
• I will listen and respond to safety concerns

We understand how wearing a mask all day is difficult and uncomfortabe, and that our teams are already stressed with the social, economic, and health impacts of 2020. Addressing masking non-compliance can also​ be stressful, and our Incident Command team is here to support you and empower you to speak out when you see a safety issue. Valley's Just Culture is designed to protect you and to ensure your concerns are heard. Our patients and fellow staff count on each of us to keep Valley a safe place to receive care, please help us to uphold our commitment to safety.

If you see something, say something.​

See Valley's Code of Conduct for more information.