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.

Self-Monitoring Policy for Onsite Employees

This policy applies to all members of the Mount Sinai Health system (MSHS) workforce employees including, but not limited to: nurses, medical staff, trainees, students, volunteers, physician office staff, and other persons performing work for or at the MSHS.

Every employee is responsible for self-monitoring for COVID-like symptoms prior to arriving for onsite work. Self-monitoring must occur daily. If symptoms are present, the employee should notify Employee Health Services (EHS) and not report for onsite work. For information on how to notify EHS, click here.

(Updated: July 2, 2021)

Tip Sheet for Employee COVID-19 Self-Screening on a Mobile Device

Click on the icon or scan the QR code below to complete your daily attestation.

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

Visitor Policy – Effective August 13, 2021

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.

General Visitor Information:

Visitors must be 18 years of age or older.
Visitors will be screened for symptoms, have a temperature check and be asked for contact information prior to entry.
Anyone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 in the previous 10 days or has been in close contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19 will not be allowed into the hospital.
Visitors must wear a surgical mask during their visit – one will be provided if needed. Additionally, visitors will be given personal protective equipment (PPE) and shown the proper way to wear it if needed.
Visitors must wash their hands with soap and water, or use hand sanitizer, before entering and exiting their loved one’s room.
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, aerosol-generating treatments and in the recovery room.

Locations and Hours:

Inpatient visitation hours for adult patients are from 10:00 am to 9:00 pm daily. During this timeframe, up to two adult visitors are permitted each day.
* At Mount Sinai Queens, inpatient visitation hours for adult patients are from 10:00 am-6:00 pm daily.
* At Mount Sinai Brooklyn, inpatient visitation hours are for one visitor from 10:00 am- 4:00 pm daily (starting August 14th, 2021)
NOTE: The visitor policy may be adjusted to ensure the safety of patients, staff, and visitors. In these circumstances, staff may allow only one visitor at a time, may limit hours of visitation or temporarily prohibit visitors entirely.
One healthy support person is allowed to be with obstetric patients on the Labor & Delivery unit and Postpartum Units. In addition, a doula may be present during the labor process. Patients admitted to the Antepartum service may have one healthy support person with them during the admission.
Visitation on postpartum units is from 10:00am to 9:00pm daily. During this timeframe, up to two adult visitors are permitted each day.
Two adult guardians/caregivers/visitors per pediatric patient are allowed at the bedside at a time between hospital visiting hours, including the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit NICU. One adult guardian/caregiver/visitor may be at bedside 24 hours a day in all pediatric units. In pediatric units, one adult guardian/caregiver/visitor may sleep overnight at bedside, except in the NICU. Two guardians/caregivers/visitors can accompany a child to a procedure. One guardian/caregiver/visitor at a time may be in the recovery room with a pediatric patient.
One visitor is permitted for Emergency Room (ER) patients for a maximum of two hours of visitation per day. ERs may limit visitors to ensure staff and patient safety.
Exceptions to visitation hours and limits may be granted for imminent (within 24 hours) end of life and/or patients with cognitive or developmental impairments or at the discretion of hospital leadership.

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

UPDATED VISITOR POLICY – 08/13/2021

Ambulatory Visitor Policy

MSHS Ambulatory COVID-19 Pandemic Visitor Guide

Updated: 7/16/2021

Mount Sinai welcomes visitors to our outpatient practices. Our visitor policy will be limited to ensure proper social distancing within the practices based on current government recommendations.

Patients are allowed only one visitor at a time, with some exceptions. For additional information and select locations, click here
Visitors must be 18 years of age or older
Anyone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 in the previous 10 days will not be allowed into an outpatient practice
Anyone who has been a household contact or in close contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19 over the past 10 days will not be allowed into an outpatient practice
Visitors must comply with NYS domestic and international travel rules and restrictions
During a visit, visitors:
- Must wear a surgical mask during their visit. Masks with valves are not permitted. A mask will be provided if needed.
- Will be screened for symptoms, have a temperature check and be asked for contact information prior to entry. If needed, visitors will be given personal protective equipment (PPE) and shown the proper way to wear it.
- Visitors will be asked to perform hand hygiene upon entry to the facility.
- Social distancing rules will be applied and visitors may be asked to wait outside
  - For surgical patients, visitors may be asked to leave after check-in process and return when patient is ready for pick up

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 8/27/21

DOMESTIC TRAVEL

New York State Department of Health guidance states that all asymptomatic health care workers may return to work after domestic travel without quarantine or testing.

INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL

The New York State Department of Health guidance states that all vaccinated health care workers and those infected with COVID-19 in the last 90 days may return to work after international travel without quarantine or testing. Partially vaccinated and unvaccinated employees must comply with one of the two options below in order to return to work onsite after international travel:

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, unless the travel was work-related.
- Staff must continue daily symptom monitoring through Day 14
Quarantine for 7 days and obtain SARS CoV-2 PCR Test on Days 3-5 after return from travel
- Take a PCR test on Day 3-5 following return from travel. Staff may not report for onsite work until 7 days after return even with a negative test.
- 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, unless the travel was work-related.
- Staff must continue daily symptom monitoring through Day 14
- 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.

For international travel, employees should also note:

All employees planning international travel 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 who are traveling internationally must enter all travel plans into the MSHS Travel Registry before departure. The registry does not replace manager/supervisor approval for PTO. The tool can be accessed both within and outside the MSHS network.
All employees who are on visas must consult with International Personnel prior to departing the United States.

WORK-RELATED INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL

Work-related international travel continues to be strongly discouraged, however it is acknowledged that in some cases there may be compelling, professional reasons for travel. Department Chairs and Institute Directors can approve such travel after considering factors such as vaccination status, rate of vaccination/percent of positive tests in the community being visited, country entry/exit requirements, and the activities the traveler will be engaged in. Most countries require a minimum of 10 days of isolation for anyone testing positive for COVID-19 while some may require two negative tests (can take up to 90 days) before infected people are allowed to leave the country. With this in mind, the traveler will ultimately decide whether he/she chooses to assume the risks associated with international travel at this time. If the traveler tests positive while abroad, he/she will be required to cover all expenses that result from not returning from abroad as initially scheduled. The Office of Global Operations is available to assist in this assessment and can provide travel safety considerations and advice prior to travel.

If work-related international travel is approved, the traveler must register each trip with International SOS, Mount Sinai's emergency medical and security assistance provider. You can contact International SOS (+1 215-942-8226) at any time for travel safety advice or in the event of an emergency using Mount Sinai's membership number (11BYSG000018). Only work-related international travel must be registered with International SOS, NOT personal travel.

Mount Sinai COVID-19 Screening Policy for Onsite Employees

Updated: June 21, 2021

Every employee is responsible for self-screening for COVID-like illness prior to arriving for onsite work. This self-screen must be conducted daily.

If an employee is not fully vaccinated (at least 2 weeks past their final dose), they must complete the Employee COVID Symptom Self-screen in Redcap prior to reporting to work.

If an employee is fully vaccinated, they do not need to complete the attestation unless they have a new onset of COVID-like symptoms. To qualify as fully vaccinated, employees must report their vaccine status and have a “COVID vaccinated” sticker visible on their ID badge. Employees without the sticker on their badge will be asked to complete the attestation.

COVID-19 Testing FAQs for Employees and Students

Updated 8/5/21

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 and 2 West 86th Street.
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

Updated 8/2/21

Policy for ALL MOUNT SINAI EMPLOYEES:

The Mount Sinai Health System, including the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, is allowing vaccinated Mount Sinai employees to hold in-person meetings, conferences, and events as long as everyone in attendance wears a mask. Virtual options must be made available for unvaccinated staff, those who have approval to work remotely, and non-Mount Sinai attendees.

Please note:

Food and drinks are not permitted in meetings.
Meetings held onsite should be limited to vaccinated Mount Sinai participants; non-Mount Sinai guests should attend virtually, although non-Mount Sinai speakers are permitted if fully vaccinated.
Any meetings/events held offsite that include both Mount Sinai and non-Mount Sinai participants may be held for educational purposes so long as all in-person attendees are vaccinated. Please contact Phyllis Schnepf to confirm that your meeting/event is educational.
Events/meetings must be in compliance with all other existing organizational policies.

Volunteer Policy

Effective 6/15/21

The following policy guidelines are in place for volunteers, students from other institutions and observers within the Mount Sinai Health System (MSHS). All volunteers and students from other institutions permitted onsite at MSHS must comply with COVID-19 Safety Guidelines. Hospital Presidents or Chief Medical Officers may impose site-specific restrictions and departmentally led programs may also impose programmatic restrictions.

Currently Registered Volunteers:
Volunteer programming will resume in a limited capacity (25 percent of pre-COVID-19 volume), beginning with previously active Mount Sinai Health System volunteers who wish to return to service as long as their respective supervisors confirm the need and can comply with infection prevention guidelines. Infection Prevention will be consulted prior to the resumption of volunteer assignments that involve direct patient care. All volunteers currently onsite at any Mount Sinai Health System facility must be fully vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) or demonstrate that they are in the process of being vaccinated by Friday, June 25. Employee Health Service (EHS) clearance for volunteers returning to service will include full vaccination (two weeks after last dose) against SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) prior to starting onsite activities. Exemptions from COVID-19 vaccination will not be granted for volunteers at this time.

New Applications:
Applications for new volunteers continue to be on hold until further notice.

Students:
MSHS continues to honor its commitment to students currently participating in an educational experience for academic credit at MSHS. All programs offering experiences for academic credit should have an agreement in place between MSHS and the sponsoring institution. Please email the Contract Policy and Review Office (CPRO) at CPRO@mssm.edu for an agreement template and details about how to execute the agreement. All students currently on clinical rotations at any Mount Sinai Health System facility must be fully vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) or demonstrate that they are in the process of being vaccinated by Friday, June 25. Students beginning clinical rotations must be fully vaccinated prior to starting onsite activities. Request for exemptions with accompanying documents should be submitted to EHS for review.

For any student visa-related questions, please contact Nadia Hernandez in the International Personnel office at Nadia.Hernandez2@mountsinai.org.

Observers:
Programs or requests for individual domestic or international observers remain suspended.

Vendors, Consultants and Press Policy

NEW Requirement for Vendors, Contractors and Other Guests of Mount Sinai Health System with Direct Patient Contact

As of Monday, August 16th, all vendors, contractors, equipment support staff, press and others, coming to a Mount Sinai location who will have direct patient contact must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 prior to being present on site. This includes guests in OR suites, patient rooms or other locations where they are working in close proximity to patients.

There are no exceptions to this policy.

This applies system-wide (inpatient and ambulatory). Vaccination status must be verified by managers to ensure compliance.

This policy does not currently apply to non-employees without direct patient contact, nor to visitors of patients. These non-employees without direct patient contact are subject to the same restrictions and requirements as visitors, including symptom screening upon entry and wearing appropriate PPE.

(Updated 8/16/21)

NEW Requirement for Vendors, Contractors and Other Guests Working Directly or Indirectly for the Mount Sinai Health System

As of Friday, September 13th, all vendors, working directly or indirectly for the Mount Sinai Health System must have received their first COVID-19 vaccine shot prior to being present on any Mount Sinai Health System hospital, school, corporate, ambulatory or other owned or leased site. All individuals must be fully vaccinated by October 31st.

This includes but is not limited to: press, photographers/videographers, contractors, supply and construction managers, contractors, architects and engineers, subcontractors all trades and other guests. This does not include visitors of patients or delivery services.

Vaccination status must be verified by the company working on the Mount Sinai Health System site. Managers must determine the best way to monitor compliance (including Vendormate, eBuilder etc).

Managers must ensure new contracts include this requirement and that existing vendors, contractors, and other guests of Mount Sinai are aware and comply with the new policy.

For vendors whose contracts are not managed via vendormate or eBuilder, vaccination status verification may be emailed at the first of every month to the MSHS manager that serves as primary contact for each vendor, or through another process as defined by the manager.

(Updated 8/23/21)

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.