Skip to main content

March 10 - To Residents and Fellows

To:  Residents and Fellows
CC:  Program Directors and Coordinators

Sent on behalf of J. William Eley, MD, MPH, Executive Associate Dean, UME, GME, CME, Maria M. Aaron, MD, Associate Dean of GME, and Philip Shayne, MD, Assistant Dean of GME & Associate DIO

Dear Residents/Fellows,

As we are seeing an increasing number of patients with COVID-19 symptoms, we want to keep you informed with updates relevant to housestaff. We plan to limit messages from GME to one a day when possible. We realize that many of you rotate at our various hospital sites and ask that you also read the communications from the individual hospital where you are rotating.

  1. Involvement of trainees in care of patients: At this time, some residents may be involved in the care of “persons under investigation” (PUI) at Grady, the VA, and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. The policy at Emory Healthcare is still faculty-only, but we know that residents have been involved in care of PUI and can expect that will increase. This is subject to change as the situation evolves. Please visit the hospital websites for additional information:
  1. If you have symptoms– Do not come to work and call the hospital designee. For EHC call the Office of Occupational Injury Management at 404-686-8587. After hours call 404-686-5500 enter PIC# 50464. For Grady call Pic#103198. We are clarifying the other sites.
  • Symptoms include fever³ 100°F and at least one of the following: cough, sore throat, body aches, diarrhea, vomiting or congestion. Again, the GME office will provide the necessary sick leave with pay until you are fever free for 24 hours and are feeling well enough to return to work. Your program director will help ensure coverage for your clinical duties. 
  • If you develop the above symptoms while at work, you should: 1) put on a procedural mask; 2) notify your program director; and 3) remove yourselves from the work environment, go home and call infection control. Do not come in person to the OIM/Employee Health offices.
  1. Travel guidance: 
  • As previously mentioned,residents or fellows must NOT travel to CDC-designated level three countries for either personal or business reasons. If you do travel to these countries, you will be required quarantine before returning to any Emory partner facility, you will not be paid during your quarantine, and days missed will not count toward your training. 
  • In addition, we ask that all business-related domestic and international travel (level one and two CDC-designated countries) be approved by your program director in consultation with the chair of your department. 
  • Most airlines have been reasonable about waiving cancellation fees for travel, but please discuss any concerns with your department leadership prior to changing travel plans.
  • This is an evolving situation. Be aware that the status of a country may change while you are there, which could result with you being subjected to quarantine upon return.  Emory will support and pay you if unexpectedly quarantined. You are only responsible for not traveling to level-3 designated countries.   
  1. Returning to work: If you have travelled or have household members who have travelled to an affected location, please contact your program director for the correct contact to approve return to your designated facility.

  2. Resident Training: If you have not yet reviewed the video on the proper use of PPE, please do so immediately. After you watch this video, an attestation must be completed by March 13, 2020:
  • Log on to New Innovations
  • Click on “Complete Advancement tasks” on your home screen (under CHECKLISTS on the top left corner of home screen)
  • Follow instructions and complete checklist titled: Attestation: COVID-19 PPE Training
  • We have already begun training some residents and will continue to do so over the next several days. Listed below are training sessions available at Grady:

Tuesday 3/10
3:30 pm – Emory FOB room 103
5:30 pm – main Grady, GF room 107
7:15 pm – main Grady, GF room 107

Wednesday 3/11
7:00 am – main Grady, Trauma Auditorium
3:30 pm - main Grady, Trauma Auditorium
5:30 pm - main Grady, Trauma Auditorium
7:15 pm - main Grady, Trauma Auditorium

Thursday 3/12
7:30 am - main Grady, Trauma Auditorium
3:30 pm - main Grady, Trauma Auditorium
5:30 pm - main Grady, Trauma Auditorium
7:15 pm - main Grady, Trauma Auditorium

Friday 3/13
7:30 am - main Grady, Trauma Auditorium
3:30 pm - main Grady, Trauma Auditorium
5:30 pm - main Grady, Trauma Auditorium
7:15 pm - main Grady, Trauma Auditorium

Saturday 3/14
1:00 pm – main Grady, 10C, Room 016
2:00 pm – main Grady, 10C, Room 016
3:00 pm – main Grady, 10C, Room 016

Sunday 3/15
1:00 pm – main Grady, 10C, Room 016
2:00 pm – main Grady, 10C, Room 016
3:00 pm – main Grady, 10C, Room 016

  1. Masks: Listed below are guidelines on mask usage to ensure the safety of both you and our patients:
  • Follow appropriate mask usage guidelines for disposal of masks when leaving a patient’s room/treatment area.
  • Only wear PPE when in a procedure/OR, in an isolation room and while cleaning certain equipment.
  • You do not need to wear a face mask around the hospital/clinic to prevent you from getting sick. There is no evidence that it is of benefit in preventing infection outside of the clinical activities noted above.  
  • Best practices in preventing the spread of respiratory communicable diseases include covering your cough or sneeze, compliance with hand hygiene and staying home when sick.   

Lastly, we ask that you help us deliver a consistent message by limiting rumors, hearsay and false news. Thank you again for your continued commitment to the care of our patients. We will continue to provide regular updates and guidance that is specific to our housestaff, and are happy to help address your questions and concerns.