General COVID-19 Non-Clinical Policies

As part of our ongoing efforts to contain and effectively treat patients diagnosed with COVID-19, we are instituting a number of system-wide policies that will impact our staff, patients, visitors and students. These changes are being implemented, on an ongoing basis, in accordance with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control, as well as the NY State and local Departments of Health, to ensure quick and appropriate response to this situation.

COVID-19 Safety Guidelines

Masks Required: Surgical masks required in all shared spaces.
Before visitor entry or any gathering, the organizer will ensure that a representative is stationed at the entry, with adequate hand sanitizer supplies and directions/signage, to ensure that each individual meets the following criteria:
- Symptom check: If anyone has had any of the following symptoms within the preceding 24 hours, they must be refused entry:
  - Fever (temperature greater than 100° Fahrenheit)
  - Chills
  - Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  - New onset persistent cough
  - Nasal congestion & runny nose not associated with allergies
  - Sore throat
  - New loss of taste or smell
  - Nausea or vomiting
  - Diarrhea
  - Fatigue (new or not explained by a pre-existing condition)
  - Headaches (new or not explained by a pre-existing condition)
  - Generalized muscle and body aches (new or not explained by a pre-existing condition)
- Do Not Shake Hands
- Hand Hygiene: Even if previously done on entering the building or in prior meeting, Hand hygiene with hand sanitizer prior to entry into the room (if no sanitizer is available, the meeting should not occur.)
- Social Distancing: We strongly encourage you to maintain a distance of six feet between yourself and others.
If any questions (for example, if you are unsure where to secure hand sanitizer for your meeting), please submit questions to CovidQuestions@mountsinai.org

Visitor Policy

Mount Sinai welcomes visitors to the hospitals, including Emergency Rooms, as long as visitors adhere to the policy below. For visitors to our ambulatory locations, please see the ambulatory visitor policy.

The visitor policy for the Mount Sinai Health System is as follows:

Before A Visit

Visitors must be 18 years of age or older. Visitors may include family, friends, loved ones, clergy or other individuals of patient’s choice.
Anyone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 in the previous 10 days will not be allowed into the hospital.
Anyone who has been a household contact or in close contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19 over the past 14 days will not be allowed into the hospital.
Anyone who has traveled to a location outside NY, CT, PA, NJ, MA, or VT or traveled internationally within the last 14 days must do one of the following in order to be allowed entry:
- Have a negative COVID diagnostic test that was taken on or after Day 4 of arrival in New York
- Self-quarantined for 14 days upon arrival
  * Exceptions include support persons deemed essential to the care of the patient; visitors to those in imminent end of life situations; companions to a patient undergoing a procedure or appointment that cannot be postponed.
Visitors must wear a surgical mask during their visit. Masks with valves are not permitted. A mask will be provided if needed.
Visitors will be screened for symptoms, have a temperature check and be asked for contact information prior to entry.
Visitors must wash their hands with soap and water, or use hand sanitizer, before entering and exiting their loved one’s room.
If needed, visitors will be given personal protective equipment (PPE) and shown the proper way to wear it.

During A Visit

Patients are allowed only one visitor at a time and a total of two visitors per day.
Inpatients are allowed a total of four hours of visitation each day, while Emergency Room patients are allowed a total of two hours of visitation.
When visiting an inpatient, visitors must keep their mask on and stay in the patient’s room throughout their visit unless asked to step out by hospital staff.
Visitors may not be present during procedures and in the recovery room.
When a COVID-19 patient is receiving an aerosol generating treatment [e.g., nebulizer treatments, high flow oxygen and Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure (BIPAP)] visitors may not be present.

As defined by New York State, there are certain exceptions to visitation hours and limits. These exceptions include visitors for pediatrics, labor and delivery, end of life (imminent within 24 hours), and patients with cognitive or developmental impairments. Hospital leadership may apply additional exceptions as needed.

Visitors who do not comply with all of the above requirements will be asked to leave.

Hospital Visitor Hours

Mount Sinai Brooklyn: Starting January 13th: 4pm - 6pm
Mount Sinai Beth Israel: Starting January 11th: 4 pm - 6 pm
The Mount Sinai Hospital: 10 am - 6 pm
Mount Sinai Morningside: 12 pm - 6 pm
Mount Sinai Queens: Starting January 11th: 2 pm - 6 pm
Mount Sinai West: 10 am - 6 pm
Mount Sinai South Nassau: As of December 28th, visiting hours will be suspended due to an increase in community spread of COVID-19. Exceptions to the no visitor policy, as outlined above, will still be allowed.

Please note, the visitor policy may be adjusted to ensure the safety of patients, staff, and visitors. This includes our Emergency Departments, which may have restricted visitation at certain times. Signage will be posted when restrictions apply.

UPDATED VISITOR POLICY - 12/28/2020

Ambulatory Visitor Policy

MSHS Ambulatory COVID-19 Pandemic Visitor Guide

Updated: 8/14/2020

Visitors to the ambulatory setting during the COVID-19 pandemic will be limited to ensure proper social distancing within the practices based on current government recommendations.

Visitors cannot accompany patients with scheduled outpatient appointments unless they meet the outlined exceptions below:

Patients who require support persons during their visit e.g. the pediatric population, oncology patients, the geriatric population, patients with obstetric visits and patients with intellectual, cognitive or developmental disability.
Patients scheduled for outpatient surgery are allowed one visitor for the intake aspect of their care. The visitor cannot be present during the procedure or during the recovery time. They can return post-surgery to pick up the patient.

Visitor Screen Pre-Visit:

The visitor must be 18 years of age or older.
All visitors will be screened for symptoms of COVID-19 when they arrive at the facility. Anyone who has symptoms of COVID-19 or who has been exposed to or living with someone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 within the last 14 days will not be allowed to enter.
All visitors are expected to comply with the New York State rules on quarantine for those traveling from designated “hot spot” locations. If you have traveled to a “hot spot” location in the past 14 days, you will not be allowed entry.

An exception to this rule is:

for companions to a patient undergoing a medical procedure, elective procedure, or other appointment that cannot be postponed.
for companions who have traveled with a patient from a hot spot for an essential procedure
end of life situations.

Patients and their companions must remain quarantined except for travel that is necessary to their medical care, and the companions must abide by the visitor policy while on our campuses.

All visitors must wear a surgical mask over their nose and mouth during their visit. A surgical mask will be provided if the visitor does not have one, or if the one in use is dirty, damaged, or has a valve. Any other type of mask is not permitted, including mask with valves etc.
Visitors will be asked to perform hand hygiene upon entry to the facility.

Please note, the ambulatory guide may be adjusted to ensure the safety of staff, patients and visitors.

Travel Policy

Printable version of our Travel Policy

Revised 1/19/21

Due to updated travel guidelines from the New York State Department of Health, the Mount Sinai Health System has updated the travel policy, effective Jan 12th. Employees must adhere to the MSHS policy, as well as to all state and federal travel guidelines. COVID-19 vaccination status does not exempt employees from adhering to the travel policy.

PERSONAL TRAVEL

All employees planning personal international and domestic travel outside New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Massachusetts and Connecticut must notify their manager/supervisor of their travel plans, including destination and total number of days needed, including time for testing or quarantine
All employees must enter all personal travel plans outside of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Massachusetts and Connecticut into the MSHS Travel Registry before departure. This registry is an important tool to keep staff and patients safe. The registry does not replace manager/supervisor approval for PTO. The tool can be accessed both within and outside the MSHS network.
For employees traveling within New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Massachusetts and Connecticut, there are no testing or quarantine requirements to return to work.
For employees who travel outside of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Massachusetts and Connecticut for less than 24 hours, there are no testing or quarantine requirements to return to work.
For employees who travel outside of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Massachusetts and Connecticut for more than 24 hours or to any international destination, you must comply with one of the three options below in order to return to work after travel:
1. Quarantine and self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms for 10 days.
  - Staff who have supervisor approval to work remotely may do so during their quarantine and will not need to take paid time off.
  - Those who cannot work remotely will be required to use PTO or other available leave time for quarantine.
  - Staff must continue daily symptom monitoring through Day 14
2. Obtain Two (2) SARS CoV-2 PCR tests
  - Take a PCR test within 24 hours of return from travel. Staff may not report for onsite work while waiting for test results and will be required to use PTO or other leave time during this period. Staff may return to work after receipt of a negative result.
  - Take a second PCR test on Day 4 following return from travel. Asymptomatic staff can work onsite while waiting for test results.
  - All results (negative & positive) must be sent to COVID_travel@mountsinai.org. For negative results, staff will receive an email that must be shared with supervisors upon return to work. For positive results, EHS will contact the employee to discuss additional quarantine requirements.
3. Obtain SARS CoV-2 PCR Test on Day 4 after return from travel
  - Take a PCR test on Day 4 following return from travel. Staff may not report for onsite work while waiting for test results and will be required to use PTO or other leave time during this period. Staff may return to work after receipt of a negative result.
  - All results (negative & positive) must be sent to COVID_travel@mountsinai.org. For negative results, staff will receive an email that must be shared with supervisors upon return to work. For positive results, EHS will contact the employee to discuss additional quarantine requirements.

WORK-RELATED TRAVEL

Work-related international and domestic travel is permissible only for essential purposes (e.g., annual conferences are unlikely to be essential). In these very limited and specific circumstances, the Department Chair or supervisor must approve the travel.
All employees must enter all work-related travel plans outside of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Massachusetts and Connecticut into the MSHS Travel Registry before departure.
For employees traveling within New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Massachusetts and Connecticut, there are no testing or quarantine requirements to return to work.
For employees who travel outside of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Massachusetts and Connecticut for less than 24 hours, there are no testing or quarantine requirements to return to work.
For employees who travel outside of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Massachusetts and Connecticut for more than 24 hours, you must comply with one of the three options below in order to return to work after travel:
1. Quarantine and self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms for 10 days.
  - Staff who have supervisor approval to work remotely may do so during their quarantine and will not need to take paid time off.
  - Those who cannot work remotely will be required to use PTO or other available leave time for quarantine.
  - Staff must continue daily symptom monitoring through Day 14
2. Obtain Two (2) SARS CoV-2 PCR tests
  - Take a PCR test within 24 hours of return from travel. Staff may not report for onsite work while waiting for test results and will NOT be required to use PTO or other leave time during this period. Staff may return to work after receipt of a negative result.
  - Take a second PCR test on Day 4 following return from travel. Staff can work onsite while waiting for test results.
  - All results (negative & positive) must be sent to COVID_travel@mountsinai.org. For negative results, staff will receive an email that must be shared with supervisors upon return to work. For positive results, EHS will contact the employee to discuss additional quarantine requirements.
3. Obtain SARS CoV-2 PCR Test on Day 4 after return from travel
  - Take a PCR test on Day 4 following return from travel. Staff may not report for onsite work while waiting for test results and will NOT be required to use PTO or other leave time during this period. Staff may return to work after receipt of a negative result.
  - All results (negative & positive) must be sent to COVID_travel@mountsinai.org. For negative results, staff will receive an email that must be shared with supervisors upon return to work. For positive results, EHS will contact the employee to discuss additional quarantine requirements.

Please note:

Check with your State Department of Health website for specific requirements on quarantine restrictions outside of work.
As a reminder, all positive tests must be immediately sent to COVID_travel@mountsinai.org and your supervisor must be notified.
Individuals returning to New York State must comply with all State travel guidelines, including completing the traveler health form.
A resource guide on travel considerations is available to assist with travel planning can be found here.
For U.S. visa holders who plan to travel internationally, please check with your immigration specialist in International Personnel for updates on any international travel restrictions prior to departing the United States to ensure that your re-entry to the United States will not be hindered.

If you have any questions, please speak with your supervisor or manager.

This policy may be adjusted per Department of Health guidelines.

Return to the Worksite Code of Conduct

COVID Testing FAQs for Employees and Students

Updated 11/24/20

1. Where can I go to get tested if I am symptomatic?
If an employee screens positive for any COVID-19 symptom, they must contact Employee Health Services (EHS) via the online EHS tool. Symptomatic employees are expected to self-isolate; EHS will follow up within 24 hours and provide instructions on where to obtain a COVID-19 test and how to be cleared to return to work.

If a medical or graduate student has COVID-19 symptoms, they must contact Student Health. Symptomatic students should self-isolate until they are evaluated and tested for COVID-19.

2. Where can I go to get tested if I have had a high-risk work exposure to COVID-19?
If an employee has a high-risk exposure, they must immediately notify their supervisor and contact EHS via the online EHS tool. Symptomatic employees are expected to self-quarantine; EHS will follow up within 24 hours and provide instructions on where to obtain a COVID-19 test and how to be cleared to return to work.

If a student has an exposure, they must self-quarantine and contact Student Health. Student Health will provide further instructions on length of quarantine and follow-up COVID-19 testing.

3. Where can I go to get tested if I have had a high-risk community exposure to COVID-19?
Employees who have had a close contact/high-risk exposure in the community (e.g., less than 6 feet for 10 minutes) with anyone who tested positive for COVID-19 or who has had symptoms of COVID-19 in the last 14 days must contact EHS via the online EHS tool.

Employees who had a high-risk community exposure are expected to self-quarantine; EHS will follow up within 24 hours and provide instructions on where to obtain a COVID-19 test and how to be cleared to return to work.

If a student has a community exposure (e.g., less than 6 feet for 10 minutes), they must quarantine and contact Student Health. Student Health will provide further instructions on length of quarantine and follow-up COVID-19 testing.

4. Where can I go to get tested if I am asymptomatic and have not been exposed to COVID-19?
Employees/students who neither have symptoms nor have had an exposure to COVID-19 are not eligible to be scheduled for COVID-19 testing through EHS. Instead, there are other options:

MSHS Employee/Student Asymptomatic Testing Site: A limited number of testing-only appointments are available via this link at two sites (no provider appointment is required): 1190 Fifth Avenue (open now) and 2 West 86th Street (opening Monday, November 30).
MSHS Primary Care Locations: At these locations you will be seen by a primary care provider who will provide a COVID-19 test.
You can also find testing sites through the NYS testing site locator.

5. Where can I get tested for COVID-19 when I return from travel?

MSHS Employee/Student Asymptomatic Testing Site: A limited number of testing-only appointments are available via this link at two sites (no provider appointment is required): 1190 Fifth Avenue (open now) and 2 West 86th Street (opening Monday, November 30).
MSHS Primary Care Locations: At these locations you will be seen by a primary care provider who will provide a COVID-19 test.
You can also find testing sites through the NYS testing site locator.

Medical and graduate students:

Must complete the Travel Registry for any travel outside New York City
Will be contacted regarding required COVID-19 testing, which will differ depending upon where you are returning from and whether you live in Aron Hall

6. Can I go to a MSHS emergency room for asymptomatic COVID-19 testing?
The MSHS emergency rooms should not be the primary source of testing for asymptomatic employees. Please see above for testing locations.

7. Can I submit results from a COVID-19 rapid test in order to return to work/school?
No. You must obtain a SARS-CoV-2 PCR test to get clearance to return to work/school. We do not accept rapid antigen tests.

8. Can I work/attend classes while I am waiting for my test results?
No, you may not work or attend classes in person while waiting for your test results. It is important that you quarantine until you receive the test results. Some employees may be able to work remotely with permission from your supervisor.

Social Media Policy and Toolkit

Social Media Policy – guidelines for Mount Sinai Health System staff on participation in social media activity.
Social Media Toolkit – provides links to images, videos and other content which can be used to effectively promote health information related to the COVID-19 public health crisis on social media channels.

Lectures, Events and Meetings Policy

Meeting Policy for ALL MOUNT SINAI EMPLOYEES

All in-person large group lectures, events and meetings across the health care system should be cancelled or offered virtually.
The Mount Sinai Health System, including the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, remains open under this policy but is restricting the size of meetings to 25 people or under, as long as staff are wearing masks and can maintain social distancing of at least 6 feet apart.
In-person meetings above 10 people across the System must only be for essential educational or training purposes. All other meetings of more than 10 people (e.g. department meetings or grand rounds) should be virtual.

Please note:

Food and drink is not allowed for any in person meetings. Catering will not be available.
All non-Mount Sinai meeting participants should be virtual, whenever possible. If it is essential that someone participates in person, that individual must comply with all visitor requirements (screening, travel etc).
We will continue to evaluate and update these policies as needed.

Volunteer Policy

In response to the recent outbreak of COVID-19, the following policy guidelines have been established for external volunteers, students from other institutions and observers within the Mount Sinai Health System (MSHS) effective Thursday, March 19, 2020. Important: All volunteers, students from other institutions and observers permitted to remain onsite at MSHS must comply with the COVID-19 Safety Guidelines.

Pending Applications for Volunteers, Students from other institutions rotating to MSHS, Observers: No pending or new applications will be processed until further notice. Note: The supervisors of students from other institutions with pending applications may request and exception to this policy by emailing a justification to the Department of Volunteer Services (DVS) at VolunteerDept@mountsinai.org.
Volunteers: Individuals who are registered with the Volunteer Department as volunteers and are actively providing services are subject to the following:

In patient care areas: Volunteers who provide services in patient care areas will no longer be permitted to do so.
Volunteers who do not work in patient care areas: Research, administrative and other volunteers assigned to non-patient care areas may continue participating at their supervisor’s discretion, unless otherwise notified by MSHS.
Volunteer assignments: MSHS plans to maintain a list of registered volunteers, particularly those who are no longer providing volunteer services because of the restrictions, so that they can be deployed throughout the institution, if necessary.

Students: MSHS will continue to honor its commitment to students currently participating in an educational experience for academic credit at MSHS. MSHS may adjust this commitment at any time to ensure student safety, operational integrity or any other institutional priority.
Observers: (Domestic and International): All observer programs are discontinued. International Observers should make appropriate arrangements regarding their return home.

Vendors, Consultants and Press Policy

As of July 8, any vendor or outside professional (consultants, equipment support, construction and engineering vendors, auditors, outside counsel, etc.) who performs a necessary function may be permitted on site under the following circumstances:

A leader responsible for the area must determine before the vendor/professional’s arrival that the services are necessary and must be provided on site (e.g., equipment maintenance and support).
Once approved, the vendor/professional will be permitted to enter the Mount Sinai Health System, solely to provide necessary on-site services.

Any individual who is permitted on the premises is subject to the same restrictions and requirements as visitors, including symptom screening upon entry and wearing appropriate PPE. However, the limitation on visitor hours shall not apply.

Cafeteria and Food Services Policy

Main cafeterias will be restricted to those with a Mount Sinai ID only. Cafes and smaller on-site food options will remain open to all, staff permitting. We are implementing this to protect our patients and visitors from large gatherings and to protect our staff. At a point of entry, as worked out by each site, patrons will be asked to show ID and to use hand sanitizer before entry.

New Policy on Gifts

During this crisis, many major companies want to thank the front line health workers for their dedication and service to our communities by making gifts of their products and services. As part of our continued support of our employees, we are relaxing our stringent no gift policy to allow Mount Sinai to accept gifts from organizations other than current healthcare vendors. Leadership will distribute these gifts as appropriate across the health system or the local sites, depending on the gift and donor. Please direct any donors to donations@mountsinai.org.

Specialist

Primary Care Physician