For those with COVID-19 infections, we require medical clearance for all.  This is in part for infection control reasons, and also to verify that employee feels well enough to return to work.  Prior to COVID we had the general policy that if Occupational Health removed a person from work, we should document when they were approved to return to work.  For the past 20 years our organization has also had a return to work program that requires Occupational Health review of all medical leaves exceeding 5 scheduled shifts.

 

We will approve people to return to work after a minimum of 5 days if they never had symptoms and have a negative AG test at day 5 or later; or after 7 days if they have a negative Ag test at day 5 or later, improving symptoms, no fever for 24 hours, and feel well enough to return to work.  If the employee has a positive Ag test at day 5-7, they must wait until after day 10, and feel well enough to return to work prior to approval.

 

I am not aware of any OSHA requirement.

 

Our policy has, at times, not been consistent with Wisconsin or Minnesota state health department recommendations, but we adopted this approach because of critical staffing needs and also recognizing early on that not all employees are fit to work after 10 days.

 

Doug

 

Douglas M Wendland, MD, MPH

St. Luke's Occupational Medicine

 

 

Hi All:

 

Bit of clarification to this question: do you require clearance from EHS before RTW after 10 days or do you allow employees to return with their own self-assessment? We want to decrease the volume of phone calls by putting out a decision tree and empowering employees to return without actually speaking with an EHS nurse.

 

Does anyone know if an actual clearance is required by OSHA, public health, etc? Or have we just gotten in our own way?

 

 

 

CH Disclaimer: This electronic mail message is intended exclusively for the individual or entity to which it is addressed. This message, together with any attachment, may contain confidential and privileged information. Any views, opinions or conclusions expressed in this message are those of the individual sender and do not necessarily reflect the views of Cottage Health, its subsidiaries or affiliates. This document may also contain information covered under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA, PL 104-191) and implementing regulations and must be protected in accordance with those provisions. Re-disclosure without patient consent or as otherwise permitted by law is prohibited. Any unauthorized review, retransmission, use, printing, copying, retention, disclosure, distribution or the taking of any action in reliance upon this information by persons or entities other than the intended recipient is strictly prohibited and may be unlawful. If you have received this message in error, please immediately advise the sender by reply email message to the sender and delete all copies of this message from your system without copying.