[MCOH-EH] COVID-19 ETS Physical barriers and wage replacement

[Galaid Edward I]

Couple of issues with the ETS.

I'm surprised that there has not been more discussion about the mandated physical barriers at "each fixed work location outside of direct patient care areas (e.g., entryway/lobby, check-in desks, triage, hospital pharmacy windows, bill payment)".  Early on, not all health care institutions chose to go with acrylic barriers...and now they have to cave?  Many of us installed acrylic barriers  to reassure, not because we thought barriers did anything (viz Department of Covid Theatre).  Masking has saved us big-time.  Patients can't get in the building without a mask

Or did I miss something.

The other issue is the wage replacement after medical removal.  Does the standard differentiate between medical removal because of risk of further transmission, or because of possible fitness for duty issue, or both, or it doesn't matter?  The tone of the standard would suggest removal to prevent further transmission in the workplace.   So you've got an employee who needs more than 10 days to recover.  No longer infectious.  Assuming that the case is not work related, the employer continues with wage replacement?

Or did I miss something.

Have an uneventful July 4 weekend.  At this point, we like uneventful, a lot, right?

Ed Galaid

Edward I. Galaid, MD, MPH, FACOEM
ABIM, ABPM (OM)
Medical Director, Occupational Medicine
Roper Saint Francis Healthcare
Charleston, SC 29401
Member, ACOEM Task Group on Law Enforcement Officer Health
Special Expert, NFPA Fire Service Occupational Safety & Health (FIX-AAA) Committee
843-402-5053


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