MAY 29: DAILY COVID-19 UPDATE

NEW TODAY: Here’s the latest information about Michigan Medicine’s management of the COVID-19 pandemic:

• DAILY PATIENT STATS
• DAILY TEAM MEMBER TESTING STATS
• SEROLOGY TESTING FOR PATIENTS AVAILABLE JUNE 1, 2020
• ARTICLE: HOW HEALTH CARE WORKERS CAN TAKE CARE OF THEMSELVES
• FAQ: PERIOPERATIVE AND PERIPROCEDURAL COVID-19 TESTING & PPE
• TELEVISION SPOT PROMOTING SAFETY OF CARE
• EXPECTATIONS FOR STAFF ON UNIVERSITY BUSES
• TOWN HALL Q&As

DAILY PATIENT STATS

Today’s census for COVID-19 inpatients and those patients under investigation (PUI) are noted below: 

Discharges: 542 total COVID-19 discharges to date, 2 in the last 24 hours. These numbers include patients discharged to skilled nursing facilities but excludes deaths and discharges to hospice.

DAILY TEAM MEMBER TESTING STATS*

* Data from 3/10 through 5/29. The testing stats reflect just Michigan Medicine employees, not all University of Michigan employees. It also reflects only those who sought testing at or were hospitalized at Michigan Medicine or reported their testing to Occupational Health Services. Some Michigan Medicine employees may have been tested outside our system.

COVID-19 IgG SEROLOGY TESTING AVAILABLE FOR PATIENTS AT MICHIGAN MEDICINE ON MONDAY, JUNE 1, 2020

Beginning on Monday, June 1, 2020, serology testing for antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 will be available for patients at Michigan Medicine. A separate process for testing and screening of health care workers and Michigan Medicine affiliates will be communicated in the coming weeks. More information can be found here.

ARTICLE: HOW HEALTH CARE WORKERS CAN TAKE CARE OF THEMSELVES

“From our experience working with healthcare professionals before and during this crisis and our combined 29 years of research in the world of emotional intelligence, we’ve learned that it’s critical for healthcare professionals to pay attention to their emotional lives in order to remain effective and healthy themselves — especially in times of crisis.” This quote is from a recent article in the Harvard Business Review, co-authored by David P. Fessell, executive coach, professor of radiology, and prior director of the leadership curriculum at the University of Michigan Medical School, and Daniel Goleman, co-director of the Consortium for Research on Emotional Intelligence in Organizations at Rutgers University. The article, found here, discusses four areas of emotional intelligence relevant to health care leaders and staff and offers suggestions for self-care.

FAQ: PERIOPERATIVE AND PERIPROCEDURAL COVID-19 TESTING & PPE

A number of questions were received during a recent Town Hall event on COVID-19 testing of pre-surgical and pre-procedural patients and recommended personal protective equipment. Infection Prevention and Epidemiology and clinical leaders have worked together to respond to those questions in the FAQ attached to this email. The FAQ can also be found on the UH/CVC internal website, along with a video recording and other information from the Town Hall event.

TELEVISION SPOT PROMOTING SAFETY OF CARE

As Michigan Medicine continues to expand availability of non-COVID care, it is essential that the organization helps rebuild confidence among the community regarding seeking medical care and not putting off necessary medical attention. A number of communication tactics are being implemented to support this effort, including expanded web content, social media communication, messaging to referrers and patient communications.

Beginning this week, a new TV ad was launched: You can view the ad here. The ad is designed to not only help answer questions communities have about seeking health care during a pandemic, but also to connect back to who Michigan Medicine is and what distinguishes the organization as the leaders and best in health care.

Importantly, the advertising campaign was made possible through funds already paid to Michigan Medicine’s advertising agency for a different project that have been re-allocated to this important work.

EXPECTATIONS FOR STAFF ON UNIVERSITY BUSES
It is expected that employees observe the protections in place on public transportation. When riding university buses, be sure to:

• Use a face covering
• Use the rear door to board and exit (front door only available for ADA access)
• Practice social distancing while boarding and riding the bus
• Only ride for essential trips
• Only approach driver for emergencies
• Avoid touching surfaces and carry hand sanitizer with you if possible

TOWN HALL Q&As

If you missed last week’s Town Hall, held on May 22, click here to watch the video. Here are some Q&As that came out of the discussion: 

Testing

Q: Why aren’t all employees eligible for the serology testing pilot mentioned in the May 18 COVID-19 Update?

A: The serology testing pilot mentioned in the May 18 COVID-19 update is managed by the CDC and has specific requirements for participation. Eligible employees were limited to ICU or OR personnel who cared for COVID + patients and healthcare personnel whose primary workplace is the emergency department, including those who provide wraparound service in the ED such as respiratory therapy, x-ray, lab, EVS, pharmacy, and security. 

Human Resources

Q: If an employee is placed on a RIF, what happens to their health insurance? 
A: Employee benefits, including health insurance are provided during the notice period of the RIF process. For employees with under 10 years of service that is 30 calendar days. Those with 10 years or more have a 90 calendar day notification period. After the notification period, COBRA is available or employees may consider other alternatives.

Q: How long will the COVID PTO banks be available?
A: COVID PTO is available until the employee exhausts their 80 hour bank (or prorated amount for part-time employees) or the university declares the situation is no longer an emergency and the COVID PTO bank ceases. The Federal Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act (EPSLA) 80 hour bank is available until exhausted or December 31, 2020, whichever comes first.

Q: What is the policy for job offers extended prior to the hiring freeze? Can departments rescind offers as part of their efforts to support the economic recovery plan?
A: Any outstanding offers extended to staff or faculty as of April 20 will be honored. Departments do have discretion to determine if roles must be eliminated or modified based on any restructuring or expense reductions.

Q: How will the decisions be made as to who will be brought back onsite and who will continue to work remotely? 
A: Decisions to bring employees back on campus will be made based on a phased strategy. Area and segment leadership will determine who returns while ensuring we have appropriate social distancing, availability of PPE (personal protective equipment) and testing capabilities for COVID-19 when necessary. Departments and roles that can continue to effectively work remotely will likely continue to do so until restrictions are eased for larger gatherings.

Q: When can we expect more information on layoffs and who will be affected?
A: Department leaders are finalizing their plans and are submitting them for review and approval by the executive leadership team. Once plans are approved and next steps are determined, more communication will be shared with those impacted by layoffs.

Q: The COVID PTO bank is not shown in our Wolverine Access Leave Balances; where can we check our balance?
A: The COVID PTO banks will not show up in your leave balances and are being tracked at the department/unit level. Department timekeepers have access to check individual employee’s remaining balance, or employees can review their previous timesheets to calculate the remaining balance.

Still have questions?

We are also posting all daily bulletins and policies on Michigan Medicine Headlines athttps://mmheadlines.org/covid-19-updates/.  Please bookmark that site and refer to it throughout the day for the most up-to-date information. An FAQ for staff is also posted and updated frequently.

If you still can’t find what you’re looking for on these web pages, please email coronavirus-info@med.umich.edu and your question will be answered as quickly as possible.  Do not use this email for sharing patient health information.

Jeffrey Desmond, M.D.
Chief Medical Officer