COVID-19

Recent news about Coronavirus (COVID-19) can be overwhelming.  We want you to know that your health and well-being are important to us, so our office staff is closely monitoring the situation and complying with recommendations outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). As always, your best advice for information on the virus is the CDC, at www.cdc.gov/ncov. Please refer to the one-page guidance from the CDC attached to this memo.

We understand that some of our employees have received feedback about their concerns with COVID-19.  We would like to take this opportunity to review some common-sense measures you can take as UNI registry staff.  Below are some recommendations for our clinicians when handling suspected or
confirmed COVID-19 patients:

• Health care providers who will have handle suspected or confirmed COVID-19 should use airborne and contact precautions, including eye protection.
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) should be worn.
• Practice hand hygiene before donning and after doffing PPE. Wash hands with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand rubs.
• Use extreme caution when removing and disposing of PPE to minimize the risk of self-contamination.
• Strictly observe correct procedures for donning and doffing PPE.

Also, please see below links for up to date information relevant to traveling healthcare professionals:

• Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
• CDC’s Information for Healthcare Professionals
• CDC Specific Guidance for Travelers

Furthermore, we ask that if you have been placed on quarantine, at a health professional’s request or
on a voluntary basis, take your quarantine seriously and adhere to the following guidelines.

• If you have been diagnosed with the virus, or if you have been advised to self-quarantine, we would
  appreciate it if you would let us know, so we can take appropriate precautions for our client facilities.
• If you have received a positive diagnosis or have been advised to self-quarantine, you should NOT go
  to work: – Avoid coming in to the office for your paycheck

Please contact our office so arrangements can be made to deliver your paycheck in an envelope.

While our offices will remain open as scheduled, we ask that you contact our team via phone or email if you need assistance. We will determine if additional steps, such as canceling your scheduled if we are notified of a heightened risk at our client facilities.

As a reminder, there are some everyday things you can do to prevent spreading or contracting the virus.
The CDC recommends the following:

• Avoid contact with people who are sick and keep your distance from others when you are sick.
• Stay home if you are feeling unwell to prevent spreading the illness to others.
• If you have been in contact with someone suspected of having the virus, you should self-quarantine in
  your home.
• Wash your hands often, using soap and hot water, to protect you and others from spreading germs.
• Avoid touching your eyes, mouth or nose with your hands.

If you feel sick with fever, cough, or difficulty breathing, and have traveled to China, South Korea, Japan, Iran, Italy or were in close contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19 in the 14 days before you began to feel sick, seek medical care.

If you have any further concerns regarding the virus, please contact your medical care provider or the CDC. Thank you for your cooperation during this time.