Nemours Children's Health, Florida Facial Coverings Policy

This Policy governs the use of facial coverings for infection control in Nemours facilities located in Florida.

Policy

To ensure the health and safety of our patients, visitors, and employees, facial coverings must be worn as described in this Policy.

1) Patients

a) Patients must wear a facial covering when the patient is in a common area of the health care setting and is exhibiting signs or symptoms of or has been diagnosed with an infectious disease that can be spread through droplet or airborne transmission.

b) A patient may request to opt-out of wearing a facial covering by contacting the Manager of Infection Control and Prevention or designee at infectionpreventionfl@nemours.org.

2) Visitors

a) Visitors may be required to wear a facial covering when the visitor is:

i. Exhibiting signs or symptoms of or has a diagnosed infectious disease that can be spread through droplet or airborne transmission;

ii. In sterile areas of the health care setting or an area where sterile procedures are being performed;

iii. In an in-patient or clinical room with a patient who is exhibiting signs or symptoms of or has a diagnosed infectious disease that can be spread through droplet or airborne transmission; or

iv. Visiting a patient whose treating health care practitioner has diagnosed the patient with or confirmed a condition affecting the immune system in a manner which is known to increase risk of transmission of an infection from employees without signs or symptoms of infection to a patient and whose treating practitioner has determined that the use of facial coverings is necessary for the patient’s safety.

b) A visitor may request to opt-out of wearing a facial covering by contacting the Manager of Infection Control and Prevention or designee at infectionpreventionfl@nemours.org.

3) Employee

a) Employees should avoid entering any Nemours facility if they are sick. Employees who are sick should contact their immediate supervisor and Employe Health.

b) Employees must wear facial coverings where an employee is:

i. Conducting sterile procedures;

ii. Working in a sterile area;

iii. Working with a patient whose treating health care practitioner has diagnosed the patient with or confirmed a condition affecting the immune system in a manner which is known to increase risk of transmission of an infection from employees without signs or symptoms of infection to a patient and whose treating practitioner has determined that the use of facial coverings is necessary for the patient’s safety;

iv. With a patient on droplet or airborne isolation; or

v. Engaging in non-clinical potentially hazardous activities that require facial coverings to prevent physical injury or harm in accordance with industry standards.

c) Except for the above circumstances, an employee may opt-out of a facial covering requirement by notifying Employee Health at emphlth@nemours.org.

d) Unless an employee has been granted an opt-out request, employees must wear facial coverings where an employee is directed by Employee Health to wear a facial covering.

Nemours reserves the right to require the use of facial coverings in other circumstances consistent with national and state standards, and state and federal laws, rules, requirements, and regulations.

To the extent that any existing Nemours policy applicable in Florida is inconsistent with this Policy, this Policy will govern.

References

Section 408.824, Fla. Stat.

In accordance with Florida law, Senate Bill 252 (codified at Section 408.824, Florida Statutes).

Definitions

“Employee” refers to any person under employment or contract of a health care setting, including health care practitioners, administrative staff, maintenance staff, aides, contractors, students, and volunteers.

“Facial covering” means a cloth or surgical face mask, a face shield, or any other facial covering that covers the mouth and nose.

“Health care setting” refers to any place where health care practitioners and/or health care providers practice their profession or provide services.

“Patient” refers to a person receiving services from a health care practitioner or health care provider.

“Sterile areas” refers to locations where surgery is conducted or where procedures that require aseptic techniques are performed.

“Sterile procedure" refers to aseptic procedures with the goal of minimizing the risk of microbial contamination to reduce the rate of invasive or surgical site infection.

“Visitor” refers to any person in a health care setting who is not an employee or patient of the health care setting.