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March 13 - Residents/Fellows: Coronavirus Concerns and Guidelines

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,
 
Again, thank you for your continued care of our patients.  Here are some updates that may be helpful:
 
COVID-19 Testing for residents and patients:
Testing for COVID-19 is based on hospital-specific recommendations. 
Please see the following websites for additional information:
  • Emory Healthcare: Intranet [Note: This link is on the EHC intranet. You must be connected to the EHC network or on the VDT/VDI/EHC Workspace to access.]
  • Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta: COVID-19 for Physicians
  • Atlanta VA Health System: Memorandum
  • Grady Health System: refer to Grady News emails and contact AskUsCOVID19@gmh.edu with questions
 
Leave Policy:
  • If your child/dependent is sick, you may use sick leave or vacation
  • If your child’s school is closed due to COVID-19, Bright Horizons may be able to assist and may be able to provide in-home or childcare center options.
  • Visit the Resident Wellbeing website for other childcare options.
  • Here are some other potential options that might help for finding a nanny/babysitter:
  • If you cannot find backup childcare, please talk with your program director about options and consider using sick leave or vacation time.
  • If you have specific questions about leave, please contact your program directors so we can address them individually. Program directors are welcome to contact the GME office if needed.
 
Occupational Exposure Recommendations:
  • If you come into contact with a patient who tests positive for COVID-19, please follow the recommendations of the local occupational health and infection prevention professionals at that hospital.
    • If you are asymptomatic, and your hospital occupational health and infection prevention professionals give you permission, you will be able to return to work and provide patient care across all hospital sites. 
  • If you become symptomatic, you should immediately call the occupational health contact for that hospital who will advise you appropriately.  If you are rotating frequently between sites, you can call the EHC OIM number for guidance. 
 
If you have symptoms – Do not come to work and call the hospital designee.
  1. For EHC call the Office of Occupational Injury Management at 404-686-8587. After hours call 404-686-5500 enter PIC# 50464. 
  2. For Grady call Pic#103198.  
  3. For Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Employee Health: (404) 785-2184 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, After hours, call (404) 785-7777
 
When to contact the local occupational health and infection prevention professionals
  1. To determine if you have had an exposure (either work associated or potential exposure outside of work) that puts you at an increased risk of COVID-19. 
  2. To determine what actions, if any, should occur based on your exposure history. Examples include travel, exposure to a patient, friend or family member who is at risk or diagnosed with COVID-19.
  3. To obtain clearance to work after quarantine period has passed/employee is well (in conjunction with employee’s doctor for medical documentation).
 
From the ACGME:
    1. ACGME Common Program Requirements Section VI Work Hour Requirements will remain unchanged.
    2. ACGME recognizes that residents may need to be redeployed to meet the needs of patients.  Your program director should notify the Executive Director of your RRC if this change is more than four weeks in duration.
    3. Time away from clinical duties may affect Board eligibility. Check with the relevant Board.
 
Sincerely,
Bill, Maria and Philip


William Eley, MD, MPHExecutive Associate Dean
Medical Education and Student Affairs
Graduate Medical  Education, Continuing Medical Education
Professor, Hematology/Oncology
Emory University School of Medicine
 
Maria M. Aaron, MD
Associate Dean of Graduate Medical Education and DIO
Professor, Department of Ophthalmology
Emory University School of Medicine
Email: mmendic@emory.eduOffice: 404-727-5658
 
Philip Shayne, MD
Assistant Dean of Graduate Medical Education & Associate DIO
Professor, Emergency Medicine
Emory University School of Medicine
Email: pshayne@emory.edu