Employee Update: March 14, 2023
FAQs for Lifting of Mask Requirement
- As the Governor’s Executive Order (through IDPH) now allows for the lifting of the masking requirement for staff, what is Riverside’s policy?
As of Wednesday March 15, Riverside staff members are no longer required to be masked inside Riverside buildings. Masks will remain optional, and are recommended to prevent the spread of infection if you are sick or suspect you may be contagious. Standard infection protocols still apply for patient care. - What is Riverside’s policy for masking for patients and visitors?
Since the IDPH requirement changed earlier this year for patients and visitors, Riverside no longer requires them to be masked in our facilities. It continues to be optional and still recommended if a patient or visitor is sick or experiencing symptoms. - Are there exceptions, where masking is still required?
Yes. IDPH still requires masking in assisted living, memory care and long-term care facilities like Miller Healthcare. Additionally, masking may be requested of staff, patients and visitors in settings where there is likely high vulnerability for patients. - How is Riverside continuing to be vigilant in protecting our patients and staff who may be vulnerable?
Standard infection protocols still apply at Riverside. Those protocols include but are not limited to regular hand washing and disinfection practices, staying away from work when you are sick to prevent the spread to others, and donning the appropriate PPE in patient care settings.
For additional direction, please refer to the updated policies in PolicyStat and work with your one-up leader on specific requirements in your area.
COVID Vaccine Policy Update
COVID-19 Vaccination Policy Update: Frequently Asked Questions
What is being announced?
Based on the latest scientific data and research, recommendations by the CDC and guidance from our own team of experts, we have updated our COVID-19 vaccine requirements to allow employees in both patient-facing and non-patient facing roles to apply for and receive an approved medical or strongly held belief exemption. Previously, we were only allowing such exemptions for non-patient facing employees.
Why is this change being made now?
Over the past few months, we have been encouraged by a continued decline in the severity of COVID-19-related symptoms, hospitalizations and death, and we are hopeful that future variants will have even less impact on our daily lives. Our decision reflects the level of risk associated with current variants and our confidence in our ability to ease precautions while continuing to provide the highest quality of care and safest environment possible to everyone we serve. This decision was made based on the latest scientific data and research, recommendations by the CDC and guidance from our own team of experts.
Does this mean that COVID-19 vaccines are no longer required for employees?
No. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) continues to require health care workers to receive the COVID-19 vaccine or an approved medical or strongly held belief exemption. We will continue to comply with this requirement.
Why did Riverside initially not allow employees in patient-facing roles to get a strongly held belief exemption?
Given the high number of hospitalizations and deaths that were associated with early COVID-19 variants, we continue to believe that requiring our employees, especially those in patient-facing roles, to receive the COVID-19 vaccine allowed us to provide the highest quality of care and safest environment possible at a critical time in the pandemic.
What safety protocols will unvaccinated employees be required to follow?
Employees who receive an approved medical or strongly held belief exemption will be required to follow all state and federal regulations, including wearing a surgical mask while on Riverside Healthcare grounds. For testing protocols, please see the Riverside policy as requirements may change based on transmission rates.
Will employees who left because of the vaccine requirement be eligible for rehire?
Yes. We understood that this was a difficult decision for some of our employees, even those who chose to comply. We left the door open for our former colleagues to return if they met job qualifications and complied with our current policies. Any qualified applicant who complies with our policies, including our updated COVID-19 vaccine requirement is eligible for employment at Riverside.
Does leadership have any concerns about rehiring employees who made the decision to leave Riverside in response to its COVID-19 vaccine requirement?
No. This was a painful time for both those who made the decision to leave and those who continued working at Riverside. As the transition was made, we maintained a respectful and collegial environment, and we are confident we will continue to do so as we welcome back former colleagues who qualify for an open position and comply with our current policies.
Was this decision made to resolve litigation Riverside is facing regarding the COVID-19 vaccine mandate?
No. While we cannot discuss matters related to ongoing litigation, we can say that this decision was made based solely on the latest scientific data and research, recommendations by the CDC and guidance from our own team of experts.
Does Riverside Healthcare plan to contact former employees who left due to vaccine requirement to notify them of this change?
No. However, we look forward to welcoming any qualified applicant who will comply with our current policies, including our requirement to be vaccinated for COVID-19 or receive an approved medical or strongly held belief exemption.
Will Riverside revise its vaccine policy again in the future?
Riverside Healthcare will continue to monitor COVID-19 cases and trends. If a future COVID-19 variant appears to result in more serious illness or a higher number of hospitalizations and deaths, we may need to revise our COVID-19 vaccine policy accordingly.
A PDF version of the FAQs can be found here.
MyChart Bedside Coming Soon to myRiverside App
Patients and their family members will be able to take advantage of a new feature coming to Riverside’s myRiverside App on Monday, October 4th. MyChart Bedside is Riverside’s free inpatient portal that allows patients to be more involved in their care while in the hospital. Patients will be able to see what medications they’re taking, their schedule for the day, and upcoming treatment plans. Any questions or concerns can be sent via secure messaging along with requests directly to the patient’s care team.
“Improving the patient experience is a top priority for Riverside and that often starts with easier access to health information,” said Phil Kambic, Riverside’s President and CEO.
Family members or other proxies can also take advantage of the new myRiverside feature so they can see important information regarding an inpatient stay. To access, patients or family members simply log into their myRiverside account and the “Your Hospital Stay” dashboard appears with features tailored to the specific hospital stay and care.
Bedside features include:
- View treatment team: Read role descriptions for each member of your care team
- Education materials: See education materials assigned by your clinician
- Medications issued: View medications issued while you’re admitted
- Hospital health issues: See an overview of your primary health issue(s)
- Happening soon: View medication administration times, surgeries, and appointments
- Test results: View labs from any tests administered during your stay
Nursing Mental Health and Resilience Support
The American Nurses Foundation and the American Nurses Association launched a series of surveys to nurses at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. All data gathered has been used for decisions about how to best support nurses during and after this public health crisis.
Explore these free tools and resources offered through the American Nurses Foundation’s Well-Being Initiative:
- Moodfit: Provides tools & insight to improve the fitness of your mental health, including: Self-care, Mood journal, Gratitude journal, Mindfulness meditation, Breathing exercises, CBT thought record, Reminders with key messages, Tips & inspiration.
- Happy App: Nursing professionals can call these support-givers for free. If you ever find yourself needing to talk with someone after a challenging shift, to relieve yourself of stressful thoughts and concerns, or to rebuild your resilience with emotional support, the Happy App Warm Line can help.
- A Nursing State of Mind Podcast Series: In this podcast series, two veteran nurses discuss coping mechanisms with practical ideas to renew our energy, confidence, and the passion for nursing.
- COVID 19 Resource Center: All the COVID-19 resources nurses need, all in one place. Sign up for information, support, and more from ANA’s COVID-19 Resource Center.
- Gratitude Practice for Nurses: Download the Toolkit.
- Narrative Expressive Writing (NEW): Can help build resilience, improve mindfulness, and reduce psychological distress.
- Dealing with GRIEF Videos: A Series of 5 Short, Powerful Videos aims to provide timely and practical information to help you care for the physical, emotional, psychological, and spiritual needs of your patients and their families.
- After Work Checklist
- Nurses House: National fund for Nurses in need of short-term financial assistance due to illness or disability.
