Our policy states that any employee who misses more than 3 consecutive shifts must be cleared thru OccHealth to RTW. Also, if OccHealth work restricts an individual due to an infectious condition such as pink eye,

they are required to return to OccHealth for clearance to RTW. Information related to this policy is provided in New Hire Orientation and to managers, and I would say we have very good compliance. If the employee has restrictions or assistive devices, our Absence Management staff coordinates with the manager.

When the employee comes to us for RTW whether for a few days or 3 months, they must provide a physician statement (if not faxed prior to visit) and fill in a brief questionnaire regarding signs/symptoms of infectious conditions. OccHealth staff checks if they are up to date with requirements. Requirements are completed before employee allowed to RTW, e.g. if annual screening is due. A brief statement is emailed to the manager stating the employee is up to date with requirements and returning to work with no restrictions or a statement is sent to Absence Management indicating employee is up to date with requirements, but they need accommodations. There is an individual in Absence Management who coordinates modified duty with the managers. OccHealth coordinated modified duty in the past, but as we have grown to >8000 employees and new requirements have come about, Human Resources restructured the duties of managing absences and accommodations.

Yvonne

From: MCOH-EH [mailto:mcoh-eh-bounces@mylist.net] On Behalf Of Tara Dockery
Sent: Wednesday, April 10, 2019 10:13 AM
To: MCOH/EH
Subject: [MCOH-EH] Occupational Health question

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Hello colleagues –

I know I do both Infection Control and Employee Health, but lately I have had many “I am not infectious” comments from staff about when they have missed work.

I also very rarely am included in the information when an employee is out for an extended surgery, and although it is policy that when the doctor releases them to come back to work they are supposed to be cleared by Employee Health, very few of the staff has come in to check with me for being released to come back to work…

I am reminded of this with the recent orthotic boot question, as people have come back to work with boots, slings and little scooters and while I have been lucky that they are able to work in their departments, there will be a time where it will not be appropriate to allow someone to work in a certain department with these extra needs.

I just want to verify with others – do you have staff report to you if they are going to be out extended for a surgery? And do you only log “Infectious” call ins on your sick log? I feel mine should be all call ins, but maybe I am over exaggerating my role.

Tara

Tara Lee Dockery, IP, MT(ASCP), BS | Infection Preventionist and Employee Health

Ocean Beach Hospital and Medical Clinics

174 1^st Ave North | P.O. Box H | Ilwaco |WA | 98624

Phone: 360.642.6307 | Cell : 509-760-7397 | Fax: 360-642-6309 |tdockery@oceanbeachhospital.com