We’re experiencing a dramatic decrease in COVID-19 cases, COVID-19 hospitalizations, and mortality levels in Utah. So Intermountain is updating guidelines for visitors, education classes, meetings, travel, caregiver gyms, patient exercise classes, and more for our Utah-based facilities. The guidelines go into effect Friday, March 18, and reflect the current low COVID transmission in the state. Idaho and Nevada are still considered “high COVID-19 transmission” areas so we won’t be changing the guidelines there until those areas move into the “low” category.
The changes come under the direction of our Infectious Diseases and Infection Prevention teams with the support of the Executive Leadership Team to ensure safety and risk reduction as we bring back the services that help keep people healthy and connected.
Even during a period of low COVID-19 rates, there’s still risk of transmitting COVID to our patients—from caregivers and other patients—so we’re not moving to “normal operations” (guidelines we supported before the pandemic). We’ll follow CDC and Utah Department of Health guidelines on when masking is no longer required with our patients.
Following are guidelines supporting low transmission guidelines, and future normal guidelines. If case counts rise and we return to high or substantial COVID transmission rates in the state, we’d return to high transmission guidelines, we'll notify you in the Caregiver Brief.
Summary of the changes
Visitation – Intermountain hospitals
Best practices:- Sick visitors aren’t allowed to visit.
- Hospital visitation allowed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
- People aren’t allowed to visit if they have someone in their home with an active communicable disease like COVID, norovirus, or influenza.
- Some units and clinics may have more restrictive visitation policies based on limitations of unit/room size and vulnerable patients.
Low COVID transmission:
- For visitors, masks are optional while visiting with the patient but are still required when caregivers are present or in areas where they may encounter other visitors/patients, such as hospital hallways, nurses’ station, or the cafeteria. Proof of vaccination won’t be required.
- Maximum number of visitors at the bedside is determined at the discretion of the care team.
- Visitors shouldn’t visit if they have any of the following and haven’t met the same criteria used to discontinue isolation and quarantine for patients:
- A positive viral test for SARS-CoV-2
- Symptoms of COVID-19
- Has had close contact with someone with SARS-CoV-2 infection
Normal Operations:
- Same as in low, but visitors don’t need to mask in the facility.
Visitation - NICUs (high risk populations)
Low COVID transmission:
- No children under 5 years old.
- Siblings, children under 12 may visit if they’re up to date on all childhood vaccines and if they’re COVID-vaccinated.
- Visitors must wear a mask in the unit but may take them off to be with their child/patient when caregivers aren’t at the bedside
- Maximum number of visitors at one time at the bedside is two. Clergy and doulas don’t count toward maximum.
Normal Operations:
- As in low transmission.
Visitation - BMT (high risk populations)
Low COVID Transmission:
- All visitors will wear a mask if/when feasible, especially when around staff or other patients.
- Visitors will be screened upon entry to determine if they’ve had a recent COVID positive test, exposure, or symptoms.
Normal Operations:
- Will return to normal pre-COVID operations.
Visitation - adult behavioral health units
Low COVID Transmission:
- Inpatient visitors will be screened upon entry to determine if they’ve had a recent COVID positive test, exposure, or symptoms.
- Visitation occurs for two hours in the evening at the discretion of the unit.
- Two visitors per patient at a time in the day room only.
- No overnight visitation.
- Asymptomatic COVID positive patients must isolate in their room.
- Masks are optional for patients.
Normal Operations:
- Will return to normal pre-COVID operations.
- Maximum number of accompanying visitors is determined at the discretion of the care team.
Visitation at Intermountain clinics, InstaCares, and Primary Children’s outpatient clinics
Low COVID Transmission:
- No restrictions on the number of people accompanying the patient.
- Patients and visitors will continue to mask in patient care areas.
Normal Operations:
- Patients and visitors no longer need to mask in the facility.
- Additional guidance for visitors of patients that ARE COVID-19 POSITIVE (or are suspected to be positive):
- One designated visitor of a COVID positive or suspected adult patient per day; two designated visitors of a COVID positive or suspected pediatric patient per day. Visitors of COVID patients will be asked to wear personal protective equipment provided by the facility. The staff present will assist with how to use it properly to ensure safety.
- Visitors will be asked to wear personal protective equipment provided by the facility. The staff present will assist with how to use it properly to ensure safety.
Caregiver masking and PPE
Low COVID Transmission:
- Follow caregiver masking per the Intermountain meeting guidance. Masking is optional in non-clinical areas where patients aren’t routinely encountered.
- Masking still required in all clinical care (patient-facing) areas, like hallways and cafeterias, and when caring for patients.
- Masking still required in all clinical care (patient-facing) areas, like hallways and cafeterias, and when caring for patients, including in Homecare settings.
- A mask should be worn when there is a possibility of coming into contact with a patient or visitor in our facilities.
- When providing patient care a procedure mask and eye protection should be worn.
- When caring for a patient with COVID or a person who is being tested for COVID or appears to have COVID, an N95 mask, face shield or PAPR, gown, and gloves should be worn.
- Regular eye glasses don't provide the needed eye protection. It should be an approved face shield or protective eye wear.
Normal Operations:
- Masking isn’t required when caring for patients or while in clinical care areas.
Non-clinical Intermountain Office Buildings (where patients aren't located)
- We’ll use the CDC COVID Community Levels to determine masking policy in non-clinical spaces.
- When our communities are in the low and moderate categories, masks are optional.
Reopening offices in non-clinical care settings
- We’ll begin transitioning to our long-term Flexwork arrangements and re-opening offices beginning April 1. If you’re currently working from home, continue to do so for now. Watch for targeted email communications about reopening guidelines and next steps.
Best practices:
- If you’re ill but well enough to work, talk to your supervisor about working from home.
Intermountain caregiver classes and meetings, including Continuing Medical Education (CME) and Continuing Education (CE) conferences and internal training may now resume
Low COVID Transmission and Normal Operations:
- Masks are optional during classes and meetings.
- Eating and drinking is allowed.
- Abide by maximum capacity of the meeting room.
- If possible, meetings should accommodate a virtual option.
Business travel
Low COVID Transmission and Normal Operations:
- Review Intermountain’s Business Travel Policy and approval processes.
- It’s recommended to use the virtual option for engagements when available.
- Follow CDC travel guidelines.
Exercise classes for patients and the community may now resume
Low COVID Transmission/Normal Operations:
- Masks are optional during the class.
- High-intensity exercise classes are allowed.
- Abide by maximum capacity of the meeting room.
Caregiver gyms
Low COVID Transmission/Normal Operations:
- Caregiver gyms fully open
- Abide by max capacity of the caregiver gym
- Masks are optional
Best practices:
- Use at your own risk. Exercise is a high COVID transmission event.
- Don’t use gyms if you’re sick (COVID or otherwise).
Patient and community education classes (e.g., lactation, weight-loss, pre-op, birth, CPR) may now resume
Low COVID Transmission/Normal Operations:
- Masks are optional during the class.
- Eating and drinking is allowed.
- Abide by maximum capacity of the meeting room.
Best practices:
- Hand and surface sanitation should be available.
- Participants with active communicable diseases shouldn’t participate.
Community outdoor events may be held
Low COVID Transmission/Normal Operations:
- Intermountain will continue to support outdoor and indoor community events, such as farmer’s markets, walks, etc.
Cafés and Nutrition Services
Low COVID Transmission:
- Masks are required in the cafeteria when not eating.
- No restrictions on table spacing.
- Community dining allowed.
- No restrictions on cafeteria operations.
Normal Operations:
- Masks aren’t required in the cafeteria.
Other important updates:
- Intermountain’s greeter/screener and caregiver screening guidelines are now being discussed. Leaders can expect new guidelines to be communicated within the next couple of weeks.
- In-person interviews: Virtual vs. in-person interviews can be done at the discretion of the hiring leader. Virtual interviews are preferred for initial screening interview. If an in-person interview is conducted, follow Intermountain Caregiver Classes and Meetings Guidance as stated.
- Volunteers and pet therapy are permitted. However, no pet visits with COVID-19 patients. Volunteers must use appropriate caregiver PPE.
- Personal travel for caregivers should be informed by the CDC’s travel guidelines.