Covid-19 Preparedness and Response Plan
We have carefully considered mitigation procedures and guidance from CDC, AASM, OSHA, MSMS, OSHA, MIOSHA, DHHS, Beaumont Health and others. We have created appropriate policies to ensure patient and staff safety. Sleep apnea is a potentially life-threatening disorder. The Covid-19 virus (SARS-CoV-2) is easy to destroy with low-level disinfection. Central disorders of hypersomnolence may lead to potentially fatal accidents. We stand ready to take care of our patients’ essential and non-essential health care needs safely.
1. General policies:
a. We have developed a COVID-19 preparedness and response plan, consistent with recommendations by Michigan Occupational Health & Safety Administration (MIOSHA), Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM), and others. The plan is readily available to employees and patients.
b. Melissa Mancevich, RST, is the daytime worksite supervisor, and Jessica Schoewe, RPSGT, the nighttime worksite supervisor, to implement, monitor and report on the COVID-19 control strategies.
c. Staff has been and will continue to be trained on workplace infection control practices, the proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE), and steps the employees must take to notify the business/operation of any symptoms of COVID-19 or a suspected or confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19, and how to report unsafe working conditions.
d. Notices have been posted at entrances reminding staff, patients and visitors to stay up to date with all recommended Covid-19 vaccine doses.
e. Notices have been posted reminding patients and visitors not to enter if they have
a. A positive viral test for SARS-CoV-2
b. Symptoms of Covid -19
c. Close contact with someone with SARS-CoV-2 infection (for patients and visitors only).
f. Staff is required to report Covid-19 symptoms or a positive Covid-10 test.
g. We will allow one companion per patient.
h. Staff will be provided proper personal protective equipment (PPE), including surgical masks, N95 masks, gloves, goggles and/or face shields, and lab coats, as appropriate.
i. All current staff have been vaccinated. New staff members will only be hired if they are vaccinated or agree to get their vaccine dose before starting work, and be fully vaccinated within 6 weeks of starting work.
j. Hand sanitizer stations have been installed at entrances and throughout the facilities, and cleaning supplies are available to all staff.
k. As an additional infection-control measure, we have six air purifiers with HEPA filters and UV-C light. These claim 99.97% efficiency in a 167 sq. ft. room which is expected to capture and/or destroy viruses such as the SARS-CoV-2 (the Covid-19 virus). We will use these for PAP titrations in patient bedrooms at night (and during the day for MSLT for patients using PAP), at high speed and UV on during sleep testing. Upon the patient leaving, we will turn them to high speed with the timer set for two hours and the room door closed, which will clear the room with 99.9% efficiency based on 4 air circulations per hour.
l. We will also use these air purifiers in all other patient bedrooms at night (at low speed with UV light on), and in the 4 exam rooms, testing setup office, and waiting room during the day (on patient days) at low speed with UV light on
m. During procedures causing aerosolization (such as being in the same room with a patient actively using a Positive Airway Pressure [PAP] device), staff must wear N95 mask, goggles or face shields, and gloves, unless the patient’s rapid Covid-19 testing is negative. N95 masks may be removed intermittently during the day as necessary and stored in a paper bag labeled with the staff name. They may be sanitized four times with steam (2 min in a steamer with 2 oz. of water, in a microwave at high power), and reused four times (4 days) for a total of 5 days of use. However, they must be discarded if broken, soiled, or no longer fitting. Goggles and face shields may be washed with soap and water, or sanitized with alcohol wipes or Super Sani-Cloth. Gloves must be discarded after use. Staff must wear lab coats at all times, and we must launder these at least weekly.
n. We will perform Antigen Rapid Testing using a product with EUA, on all patients being tested on PAP, before admitting them for testing. If they are positive, we will cancel the testing. If they are negative, we will perform testing, in which case no special precautions (such as in para 2d) other than for all patients being tested will be necessary for these patients.
o. We will check Covid-19 community level weekly.
2. When Covid-19 community level is high:
a. Staff will be required to wear a mask when around others.
b. Patients and visitors will be required to wear a mask in order to enter. We will provide patients without a face covering with a mask. Patients must keep their face covering or mask (with nose, mouth and chin covered) on at all times. They may remove this when alone in their room, but must put it back on before leaving their room.
R. Bart Sangal, MD
October 31, 2022
