COVID-19 Information

Prior to your first day/shift:

COVID SCREEN

1. Have you travelled outside of the country in the last 14 days?
2. Have you been in close contact with someone diagnosed with COVID? This does not include those that were working with COVID patients while wearing appropriate PPE.
3. Have you been diagnosed with COVID yourself?
4. Are you currently awaiting results of a COVID test?
5. Have you been in a facility with an outbreak of COVID in the past 14 days?

If you answer yes to any one of the 5 questions, please contact both Centre for Education and Occupational Health for instructions prior to coming to the Hospital.

Centre for Education: 416-756-6929 or cfe@nygh.on.ca

Occupational Health:  416-416-756-6403 or occhealth@nygh.on.ca

COVID Testing

Anyone exhibiting any of the above symptoms must NOT enter and should go for COVID testing and notify the Centre for Education, Occupational Health and your preceptor.  COVID testing is by appointment only.  Learners can book appointments at the staff and physician testing location at the General site, Classroom A.  This is located just inside the Baruch Weisz entrance by the patio. Testing is from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m (last appt is at 440pm). Health card is required for registration.  You can book a test by following this link:  https://connect.nygh.on.ca/covidassessment/sform/SitePages/index.aspx.  You can also access the tool via eric’s (hospital’s intranet) quick links. Please do not share this link with people in the public as the testing site is only for staff, physicians and learners of NYGH.
 
Book an appointment for a COVID-19 test ONLY if you have been directed by occupational health or have symptoms indicated above. Testing criteria are as follows:

1. Have mild symptoms of COVID-19 (if you require medical attention please visit an emergency department)
2. Have had close contact with someone who has tested positive for the virus
3. Have received notification through the COVID Alert app  
4. Live or work in a setting that has a COVID-19 outbreak, as identified and informed by the local public health unit or occupational health and safety

After you receive your COVID test results, please contact Occupational Health and Centre for Education for clearance to come in for your next shift. 

At the entrance you will:

• Hand sanitize (hand sanitizers are available) prior to entering the hospital.
• Identify yourself as a student/resident and if you will be having “patient contact”. 

If you are providing patient care, you will be provided with 2 procedural masks.  One mask is for the first half of your shift and the 2nd one for the latter half of your shift.  If you are not providing patient care, you will require 1 procedural mask.  You must put your mask on right after you receive it and prior to entering.

• Prior to arrival, you will be required to complete an eModule on Use of PPE. You will also be required to attend an in-person training session on Use of PPE on your first day.  You may be exempt from the in-person training if you are an upper year resident, an MD student or your placement is not in a clinical area.
• You may also be required to complete PPE training from your program or academic institution.
• All necessary PPE will be provided by the hospital or placement location. You are not allowed to wear your own PPE.
• Everyone must wear their hospital acquired procedural mask at all times while in hospital. Mask can be removed following strict physical distancing protocol (2 metres away from others) in designated eating and drinking spaces.  No food or drink allowed in patient care areas.
• Follow proper care and placement of your facial PPE (mask/visor) as per standard signage in various units/areas of the hospital.
• You will receive a visor in the patient care area prior to your first patient contact.  This visor is then to be worn the entire day or until you need to remove it to eat/drink.  You will receive only 1 visor for use for the entire shift.  All in-person patient encounters must be contacted with a mask and visor.
• Perform proper hand hygiene prior to and after removing your mask/visor.
• Perform proper hand hygiene prior to and after putting on your mask/visor to your face.
• Follow proper donning and doffing of your PPE.  Gowns and gloves will be available in patient care areas.  When donning and doffing for the first time in the clinical setting, ask your preceptor to supervise you and provide feedback.
• Soiled gowns and gloves should be place in designated hampers/containers inside/outside the patient’s room.
• N95 mask fit testing is a requirement for all learners.  Your mask fit should cover the entire length of your placement.  If you have been mask fitted for a mask that NYGH does not have in stock or you require a mask fit please contact the Centre for Education as soon as possible so we can arrange an appointment for you.

Learner Restrictions in Patient Care

Confirmed Cases of COVID-19

• Only the following learners may provide direct patient care to patients with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID: Postgraduate learners (medical residents and fellows), Respiratory Therapy Students, and licensed learners such as NP students, RNs in a specialty program (i.e. critical care certificate), or RPNs in a bridging program (i.e. RPN to RN).
• All other learners will not provide direct patient care to patients with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID

Patients under investigation (PUI) for COVID-19

• There are no restrictions for any learners to provide direct patient care to PUI for COVID (including undifferentiated patients with various symptoms such as fever, cough and/or respiratory distress)

Aerosolizing Generating Medical Procedures (AGMP’s)

• Only learners providing care to COVID confirmed patients (see above) may participate in AGMP’s under direct supervision of a physician according to competence and level of training.  Medical students in an anaesthesia rotation can also participate in AGMPs as deemed appropriate by their preceptor/supervisor.

Physical Distancing

Everyone is expected to maintain physical distancing at least 2 meters where possible. As this is not always possible during the course of clinical duties, performing frequent hand hygiene and disinfecting high touch points can help further reduce the spread of infection.

Eating & Drinking

• You may remove your mask/visor following the hospital protocol
• It is essential to maintain social distancing of 2 meters when your mask is removed
• Unit lounges are often crowded, cafeteria and other common spaces are good options for breaks
• There are signs indicated maximum number of people allowed in any lounge space.  This is for everyone’s safety.  Please adhere to this requirement.

Library

• The library is available with limited capacity for use by learners on a first-come-first served basis
• The library is open via badge access 24/7.
• Limited number of computers with PowerChart access are available
• Masks and social distancing are required
• No food or drink is allowed
• The space is intended only for quiet independent time (no group work, no dictations etc.)
• You will need to wipe down the area before and after you use it.

What happens if the unit I am assigned to goes into outbreak?

You will be notified if a unit has an outbreak of COVID.  Please follow instructions at that time including getting tested for COVID. Please follow further instructions from Occupational Health regarding return to placement/rotation. 

What if I feel unsafe during an activity while on placement?

You will not be expected to participate in any activity that you feel unsafe to do while on placement. If at any time you feel unsafe during an activity, please notify your preceptor &/or your immediate supervisor. 

If you are feeling unwell while at the hospital

• You should cease patient care, notify your preceptor and leave the premises as soon as possible.  If you are experiencing any of the screening criteria symptoms, you should go and get a COVID test.
• If you are experiencing shortness of breath or breathing difficulties, go to the emergency department.  You must notify Occupational Health and the Centre for Education at your earliest opportunity when able.

• You can get a COVID test at our staff and physician testing centre located at the General site, classroom A by booking an appointment online You can book a test by following this link. You can also access the tool via eric’s (hospital’s intranet) quick links. Please do not share this link with people in the public as the testing site is only for staff, physicians and learners of NYGH.

What should I do if I am diagnosed with COVID-19?

If you have been diagnosed with COVID-19, you should seek appropriate medical attention and follow provincial guidelines regarding self-isolation. You should report this to Occupational Health and the Centre for Education. You cannot return to the clinical environment until cleared by Occupational Health.

What if someone I live with has symptoms of COVID-19?

If you or anyone else has COVID symptoms, you can visit an assessment centre to get tested.  You will not be allowed to come into the hospital with COVID symptoms.  You will need to await test results and clearance by Occupational Health prior to coming in for your next shift.

What if I have a health condition that I feel requires a workplace accommodation?

Please let us know if you have a health condition that requires accommodation. We will work with you and our occupational health team to make the necessary accommodations.

Virtual Care

• As part of your rotation/placement you may be participating in virtual care under the supervision of your NYGH preceptor
• This virtual care will typically be provided at the clinical site (hospital or office); In some circumstances and with the approval of the preceptor, the virtual care may be provided from your home

Guidelines for using Technology Responsibly

• Only use corporate remote access tools on a secure home (or office) computer or personal computing device, in which should have up-to-date cybersecurity protection - anti-virus, antimalware solutions etc.
• You are prohibited to use the corporate remote access tools on an internet kiosk or public personal computer or computing device
• You should comply with the hospital Password Policy at all time
• You should ensure you have all remote access tools before start Work-From-Home
• Information Services will not provide support
• You shall not setup auto-forward hospital email and office phone to an external account or phone.   
• You understand the legal responsibilities associated with the use of remote access and that you are accountable for all work done under your username
• if you have any reason to believe that your access codes or devices have been compromised or stolen, you will immediately contact Information Services Helpdesk
• Position electronic devices for privacy protection so personal health or confidential information cannot be viewed by others
• Log off electronic devices when unattended

What resources are available for me to learn about how to provide virtual care?

• Resources are available on the hospital’s Centre for Education web pages or intranet site eric.
• Your preceptor may also have some additional resources for you.

• Follow Provincial guidelines such as for physical distancing and wearing a mask. For an up to date list of guidelines including how to protect yourself and others visit the public resources page on the  Public Health Ontario website. You can also use this link: https://www.publichealthontario.ca/en/diseases-and-conditions/infectious-diseases/respiratory-diseases/novel-coronavirus
• If you get/have been exposed to a COVID-19 outbreak area or an individual that has tested positive for COVID-19, please do not come in and notify occupational health and the Centre for Education.

Can I travel during weekends, holidays or during other periods of time-off?  

You may travel, but are discouraged from travelling out-of-country, as this would necessitate a 14-day quarantine period upon return.

Can I see my friends and family?    

Students must comply with the recommendations outlined by Public Health Ontario. This document indicates that visiting friends is an activity that is to be limited to those within your “bubble”.

How can I keep my family and home safe?

• Visit the Public Health Ontario website for information on keeping yourself and others safe.  You can also access through this link: https://www.publichealthontario.ca/en/diseases-and-conditions/infectious-diseases/respiratory-diseases/novel-coronavirus

What should I do if I live with someone who is immunocompromised?

Depending on the circumstances, one consideration would be to develop a plan of how to isolate yourself from that individual or organizing an alternative living arrangement for the length of your training.

Can I work at another job while attending placement?

Yes, there are no restrictions about working elsewhere unless your work area has had an outbreak.  If this is the case, contact the Centre for Education and Occupational Health for assessment and instructions.

Can I continue to work in a hospital, long term care facility while on placement here?

At present there are no restrictions about working elsewhere while you are on placement here.

Please Note: If you have worked in a Long Term Care Facility or in an environment with an outbreak in the last 14 days, you will not be permitted entry into the Hospital. Please contact our Occupational Health Department for next steps.  They can also be reached at 416-756-6403.

Can I travel during weekends, holidays or during other periods of time-off?

You may travel, but are prohibited from travelling out-of-country, as this would necessitate a 14-day quarantine period upon return.  

Can I ride the TTC?

Yes. At the time of development of this FAQ, the Toronto Transit Commission has announced that, effective July 2, masks or face coverings are mandatory when travelling on the TTC. Please stay up to date on the TTC’s safety measures by visiting their webpage regularly. 

• You can access a list of psychosocial support resources that are available at NYGH under quick links on eric (NYGH’s intranet).  You can also click on this link.
• You can also access the NYGH Employee Assistance Program (EAP).  Information on this resource and how to access it is available on eric under the Occupational Health, Safety & Wellness section or through this direct link.  Here is some information:

For confidential one-on-one support:
Call: 1.855.573.0056
TDD: 1.877.373.4763
Online: www.guidanceresources.com 
Hospital Web ID: COMPSYCH1