When in doubt about when you are able to end isolation, always follow the guidance provided by the HWC (for students) or Lehighs LVHN occupational health nurse (for faculty and staff). Are there any additional sick leave accommodations provided for staff? Free lunches. Medical Information Request and Verification Form. If I received a medical or religious exemption from Lehighs COVID Vaccination requirement, do I need to submit any additional documentation? But not all infectious disease experts agree on this. Rudy Miller may be reached at rmiller@lehighvalleylive.com. For insurance purposes, it may be important to obtain a test in your county of residence or via your primary healthcare provider. See the Pennsylvania Department of Health site or Lehighs HWC site for lists of local testing resources. 412 0 obj <>/Filter/FlateDecode/ID[]/Index[389 38 428 1]/Info 388 0 R/Length 116/Prev 381408/Root 390 0 R/Size 429/Type/XRef/W[1 3 1]>>stream Talk to your healthcare professional if you are unsure what treatments you received or if you have more questions about getting a COVID-19 vaccine. While we have had good responses so far, we will send the information to Capital Blue Cross with a request to review the claim for accuracy, but we cannot guarantee that the claim will be reprocessed and paid. See the Pennsylvania Department of Health siteor Lehigh's HWC site for lists of local testing resources. Low-cost health insurance for employees CME reimbursement and time outside of normal PTO to take classes, attend conferences etc. The mandate for health care workers would have gone into effect Monday if not for judges in the U.S. District Courts for the Eastern District Court of Missouri and the Western District of Louisiana issuing injunctions on Nov. 29 and Nov. 30. What should I do? Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands. Lastly, because new medical research has yet to be evaluated or peer-reviewed, it should not be used to guide clinical practice, according to medRxiv, the preprint server the study was posted on. Being vaccinated is essential to save lives and finally end this pandemic, the health system CEOs said in the joint statement. (Cant see the Pa. vaccination rates map? Once the isolation period has been completed and an individual is cleared to return to work or school, evidence of a negative test is not required. Christine serves as the key point of contact for Lehigh employees for any health concerns related to COVID-19. The CDC has already identified fatigue, shortness of breath, chest pain, coughing and joint pain among the most common reported long-term side effects. Widespread vaccination in the fall allowed us to operate as an in-person campus. Dr. Alex Benjamin . The deadline for Good Shepherds mandate was Oct. 15. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Noncompliance with the vaccination requirement will result in employees not having access to campus facilities and will be addressed at the college and stem level as a violation of workplace and university policy. The CDC recommends that all eligible people get a booster shot, even if theyve had COVID. Our colleagues have chosen to do the right thing to protect themselves and the community by getting vaccinated against COVID-19, said LVHN spokesperson Brian Downs. Pain at the injection site, headache, muscle aches, low-grade fever and nausea are common. Visit the campaign website now >, 27 Memorial Drive West, Bethlehem, PA 18015 USA, document.write( new Date().getFullYear() ); All Rights Reserved, Faculty & Staff Frequently Asked Questions, Any faculty or staff member who has been on campus or in close proximity to other Lehigh community members and receives a positive COVID-19 test result must notify Christine Wolfe and notify Lehigh by following the instructions in the, COVID-19 Return to Campus Employee Health Guide. Without speaking specifically about St. Lukes policy, Dr. John Zurlo, chief of infectious disease at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, said there is no reason for anyone to defer getting vaccinated, even if they have natural immunity. LVHN is currently operating in Level Yellow. Remdesivir Intravenous Therapy Now Offered Exclusively at New Infusion Site, Heart Complication (Myocarditis) Rare After COVID-19 Vaccination, We Are Family: Vaccine Clinic Brings Vaccines to Hazleton, COVID-19 Vaccine Boosters and Third Shots, COVID-positive patients must mask if able when staff are present in the room, Mask strongly encouragedwhen not eating or drinking, Permitted to visit LVHN employees and non-COVID-19 patients, Pet visits must be authorized by a physician, Follow guidelines for area(s) to be visited. International students who cannot get boosted where they are located should schedule a booster as soon as they return to the United States. If you don't feel well: Stay home and notify your supervisor or department chair. LVHN front-line health care workers receive COVID-19 vaccine. If you are out of work because you have been quarantined due to possible exposure to COVID19 or have tested positive for COVID19 yourself, follow the instructions regarding illness or exposure on the HR website. Keeping the People You Live With Safe from COVID-19, Next Steps After Being Diagnosed with COVID-19, Learn more about ExpressCARE Video Visits. What is the difference between quarantine and isolation? St. Lukes University Health Network and Lehigh Valley Health Network are allowing employees who already had COVID-19 to defer getting the COVID-19 vaccine due to the natural immunity they have against the virus. About 97% of current LVHN employees are fully vaccinated Brian Downs, a network spokesperson, said. Testing and visits for the diagnosis of COVID-19 are covered under the Universitys medical plans with no cost share to the patient through January 16, 2022. The safety and well-being of the Lehigh community are our highest priority as we strive to provide the educational environment and workplace that students, faculty and staff expect. Vaccine providers may not require you to show your vaccination card to get a booster or may be able to provide you with separate documentation that you received a booster. If you received monoclonal antibodies or convalescent plasma after you were exposed to someone with COVID-19 to prevent you from getting sick, you should wait 30 days before getting a COVID-19 vaccine. Given the waning effectiveness of vaccines over time, the increased transmissibility of the Omicron variant, and mounting evidence that boosters provide additional protection against COVID, Lehigh is requiring the COVID booster as. Contact Christine Wolfe, RN, the university's Employee Health Nurse Case Manager from Lehigh Valley Health Network at 610-861-8080 ext. 86N{L.=8kZ'=Bj,+=L`+zA ^,`5$gx;v4Osxc? z> Call 888-402-LVHN or visit LVHN.org/virtualcare to learn about virtual care options. LVHNs deadline for non-union employees to comply with the mandate was Nov. 12 and the deadline for union employees at LVH-Hazelton, LVH-Pocono and LVH-Schuylkill was Nov. 30. We know that COVID-19 can cause long-term health problems, even in mild cases. She facilitates care through recovery and return to work for any employees who suspect exposure or may test positive for COVID-19, working closely with Lehigh Human Resources throughout the process. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Leif Greiss is a reporter covering hospitals and health care in the Lehigh Valley. The situation is not as dire as last years surge, before the public had any access to COVID-19 vaccines, but the roughly 60% of the U.S. population that is fully vaccinated is not enough to prevent hot spots. If you are vaccinated, LVHN offers COVID testing for those without symptoms and for those experiencing symptoms. 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We are continuing with the strategy we initiated last summer to most safely provide a fully functioning campus through widespread vaccination. What do I do if I have COVID-19-related concerns about returning to campus? She serves as the key point of contact for Lehigh employees for any health concerns related to COVID-19 and facilitates care through recovery and return to work for any employees who suspect exposure or may test positive for COVID-19, working closely with Lehigh Human Resources throughout the process. In addition, Lehigh's Employee Assistance Program (Integrated Behavioral Health) can be helpful for you and your dependents even if you don't participate in the Lehigh medical plan. How do faculty and staff submit their vaccination and booster documentation? St. Lukes on Wednesday tightened its visitation policy, in response to a surge in COVID-19 cases largely driven by the unvaccinated population (that) is placing an enormous burden on our regions health care system, according to Dr. Jeffrey Jahre, vice president of medical and academic affairs and chief emeritus of infectious diseases. LVHN is closing its COVID-19 vaccine clinics. Talk to your healthcare professional if you are unsure what treatments you received or if you have more questions about getting a COVID-19 vaccine. Visit the Vaccination Resources page on the Coronavirus Information Center for more information about Lehigh's policies. To schedule an appointment for the Dorney Park drive-through clinic or any other LVHN COVID-19 vaccination event, people in Phase 1A can sign in to MyLVHN. For example, because someone is choosing to wear a mask (beyond any university requirements), complete the symptom checker, or complete other protocols is not necessarily indicative of their vaccination status. COVID Vaccine Policy . December 8, 2021 at 12:30 p.m. Lehigh Valley Health Network saw significant success from its vaccine mandate with the vast majority of employees choosing to get the vaccine, network officials. P.C. 23504orChristine.Wolfe@lvhn.org. Any vaccine approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or under the WHO - Emergency Use Listing will satisfy this requirement. Vaccines are a modern miracle and a triumph of modern medicine and unquestionably have proven to be extremely effective.. Concentra has acquired LVHNs occupational health business inBethlehemandAllentown. GO: The Campaign for LehighBe part of the most ambitious fundraising and engagement effort in Lehigh's history. 4T@kR[4\P! Our partnership includes anLVHN Employee Health Nurse Case Manager,Christine WolfeRN,who serves as the key point of contact for Lehigh employees for any health concerns related to COVID-19. HUn8}WTI,m\B`AeDr}i;C M (qx33t|u/nn\,c3e0]uW}^O'WA\U In July, LVHN was the only regional health network to become part of the Pfizer booster shot trial, again, leading the way in curbing the spread of COVID-19. . Read more on the CDC website. LVHN also now accepts walk-ins at our COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic-Northampton Crossings located at 3768 Easton Nazareth Highway in Lower Nazareth Township in Northampton County. LVHN is one of the nation's most advanced health networks, offering comprehensive care in 95 clinical specialties. Please subscribe today to Lehighvalleylive.com. Any faculty or staff member who has been on campus or in close proximity to other Lehigh community members and receives a positive COVID-19 test result must notify Christine Wolfe and notify Lehigh by following the instructions in the COVID-19 Return to Campus Employee Health Guide. Every employer can handle it in a different way because theres no set standard for that type of exemption, Easterly said. Please subscribe today to lehighvalleylive.com. 23504. Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN) has four different operations levels based on the risk of COVID-19 transmission in our community. "Our health care systems continue to combat the ongoing COVID-19 virus and are committed to the safety of every patient in our care and every colleague on our team," said Brian A. Nester, DO,. If youre not already signed up, we hope you will consider subscribing. You should take an at-home COVID antigen test or contact your primary care physician first and follow their advice. Some of the more common onsite services performed include: Onsite services are performed at the same cost of the service in-clinic plus an hourly fee and travel for the medical personnel performing the specific service(s). Sam Kennedy, spokesperson for St. Lukes, said the move to implement this exemption was made based on guidance from network infectious disease experts. Any individual, even if asymptomatic, who wishes to get tested can do so for a fee through Vault Health (the company we have contracted with for student arrival testing) or through a number of other providers. Employees with exemptions continue to receive weekly COVID-19 testing, Downs said. In addition, LVHN produced the following video that introduces you to the care team behind the partnership and shares additional information about when and how to obtain services from Lehigh's employee health nurse case manager. If you received a medical or religious exemption from COVID vaccination, you are not required to get a booster shot and do not need to take any further action. The HWC will then be able to provide the documentation a professor might require for your missing class. If you are 65 years of age or older (another higher risk category defined by the CDC) or do not have an underlying medical condition but are generally concerned about returning to campus, please talk with your department chair or supervisor about modifications (such as flexplace arrangements, flexible schedules or workspace modifications) that may allow you to perform your position accountabilities effectively and productively. Faculty/staff- Follow the advice of your primary care physician and notify the university's LVHN Employee Health Nurse Case Manager, Christine Wolfe, RN, at Christine.Wolfe@lvhn.org or 610-861-8080 ext. 7. Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN) remains vigilant as the impact of coronavirus (COVID-19) evolves, and we are committed to being your partner in health in these unprecedented times. Your provider will advise you about COVID-19 testing and quarantining during your virtual visit. If you test positive for COVID, contact the university's Employee Health Nurse Case Manager from Lehigh Valley Health Network, Christine Wolfe, RN, at 610-861-8080 ext. The nurse case manager will facilitate care through recovery and return to work for any employees who suspect exposure or test positive for COVID-19, working closely with Lehigh Human Resources throughout the process. Scheduling can be completed through MyLVHN, with the MyLVHN app, or by calling the COVID-19 hotline at 833-584-6283 (833-LVHN-CVD). Lehigh Valley Heart & Vascular Institute cardiologists & other Lehigh Valley Health Network doctors are making waves on a global scale. who serves as the key point of contact for Lehigh employees for any health concerns related to COVID-19. How is noncompliance with the booster requirement addressed? Vaccines have been available to health professionals for about a year. ]oeaf4{hM>,O G!&B{] Its perfectly legal for employers who have vaccine mandates in place to allow deferrals for employees with natural immunity, Ed Easterly, with the law firm Hoffman, Hlavac & Easterly, said. Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Nearly all LVHN employees complied with COVID-19 vaccine mandate, Tom Sizemore, Saving Private Ryan actor, dies at 61, Bryan Kohberger defense lawyers want gag order kept in Idaho killings case, Allentown School Board likely to vote on hiring Carol Birks as superintendent next week. We appreciate your patience. The hotline is open Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30. Virtually all in-clinic services are available to be scheduled and performed onsite with the proper conditions. - If you were treated for COVID-19 with monoclonal antibodies or convalescent plasma while sick with COVID-19, you should wait 90 days before getting a COVID-19 vaccine. Refer to this list provided by the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA). @i-UkX`l%IZb{n0C3Z"JH )~a]2Kvl]Z+ (IMos5baq8I ;6[g]u In August, Lehigh Valley Health Network, St. Lukes University Health Network and Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network made the shots a requirement, setting individual deadlines for employees to get vaccinated, get an exemption or quit. Given the unpredictability of COVID in general and delta in particular, our best defense is universal vaccination, the sooner the better, Zurlo said. Stay home and notify your supervisor or department chair. On Friday, Feb. 3, LVHN will . Please allow a few weeks before this process is complete. LEHIGH VALLEY, Pa. - Lehigh Valley Health Network said Friday it will be closing its COVID-19 vaccine clinics in the Lehigh Valley and the Poconos. The Associated Press contributed to this report. You also can schedule an appointment by calling our COVID-19 Hotline at 833-584-6283 (833-LVHN-CVD). What steps should I take? prd|^DLL{!"2Jl[>!(/$+Jf|vP]3t"fHs Cu TowZ;,HKZ*2+aCvOPH;!cWp0iCiAfJiqbU,9\2"+$@K<8 d#SqZ7'!OE%.^~'eQ5% v7Xa;gc^qomH}ZvoW!62O)7O3]pikx=^H[02JJzCss{hw]y@)Qs^ |m x How is Lehigh cleaning classroom spaces, offices, and common areas of buildings? Less than 1% chose to leave, Downs said. Jan 20, 2023. 23504orChristine.Wolfe@lvhn.organd notify her of your condition. The university will not share confidential health information. Lehigh Valley Health Network will officially close its five COVID-19 vaccine clinics in Whitehall, Easton, Hazleton, Pottsville and East Stroudsburg (as well as the network's mobile vaccination . The Supreme Court ruling limits the power of the federal government to mandate that large employers take certain measures, such as requiring vaccinations, but does not preclude or limit employers from instituting such measures. If you are covered under one of the Universitys medical plans and if you, or any of your covered dependents, have received a COVID-19 diagnostic test for which you received a bill for the visit and/or test, and would like to have our office request that Capital Blue Cross review the claim, please complete the following Google Form: 2021 COVID-19 Testing Claim Review Request. Aug. 17SCHUYLKILL HAVEN The Schuylkill Haven Area School District wasted no time in putting the new Lehigh Valley Health Network Sports Performance Center to use. Please do not send us any additional information other than what is requested in the form above. I am vaccinated but am experiencing COVID-like symptoms. Read more about COVID-19 symptoms, treatmentand on-campus testing for students on this page. Health Services Administrator (Current Employee) - LVPG - September 28, 2022 Culture is awful, no orientation for new managers, way too many software programs that don't communicate, shifting priorities, terrible communication. I am a staff or faculty member. Any faculty or staff member who has been on campus or in close proximity to other Lehigh community members and receives a positive COVID-19 test result should self-isolate, follow a primary care physicians advice, notify your supervisor or department chair of your absence, and notify Lehigh by contacting the universitys Employee Health Nurse Case Manager from Lehigh Valley Health Network, Christine Wolfe,RN, at 610-861-8080 ext. Note to supervisors and department chairs: Staff and faculty are not required to divulge that the reason for their absence is due to a COVID-19 isolation or quarantine. Why is Lehigh requiring a COVID booster shot for all eligible students, faculty, and staff? u[5Yv\6=tcMM\$~.,5J2|-.-mgSV>~;c++a +^Rb bdk%s_x;GpV 0w/zu88@? CDC guidance reported that in most cases cleaning alone removes virus particles on surfaces. Alternatively, if the instructor is too sick to teach, the class can be rescheduled or an alternative instructor can be found. We are limiting plexiglass to areas marked by frequent transactions or similar places of high interaction. Contact the universitys Employee Health Nurse Case Manager from Lehigh Valley Health Network. K(*piY^9%w'\lzInog-EV]Yb|^, vmsU#O!Hi3@O;\l!k(p!-} iw{_6E+N 4-+3O]xSHwxu@W3Kva]0([@H[CP |?C wo x>\.8CU`DEFq4,X0^ncwQhEGl,6.l/5FQO.,H9hN>z/e}NZeK"HMCleRcV]Ng&mN >E Easterly said most employers at the moment arent allowing employees to defer vaccination because of natural immunity but the situation is developing and that could change. Notice: All Colleagues and Non-Employed LVHN Partners, including remote workers, will be required to be vaccinated after the first COVID-19 vaccine receives full FDA approval. Is the University still looking at air changes and ventilation? Even as school board . Both. Isolation typically lasts 5 days after a positive test result, with required mask-wearing for 5 additional days. If you have any additional questions, call 888-402-LVHN or visit LVHN.org/virtualcare to learn about speaking to a provider virtually. All rights reserved (About Us). St. Lukes and LVHN still encouraging employees with natural immunity to get the vaccine to maximize their protection against the viral infection. Check with your local vaccine provider for their processes and requirements. There are no laws governing this kind of exemption like there are for medical or religious exemptions, he said. Send a secure message to the Health and Wellness Center through the Patient Portal and they will be able to log your individual situation and advise on any further questions about your vaccination/booster schedule. Our success in returning to our vibrant on-campus experience will take the efforts of all of us, individually and collectively. Good Shepherd officials reported 93% of employees had been vaccinated and the remaining employees received exemptions, had appointments planned or were on leave. /@[ O Vision exams Onsite services are performed at the same cost of the service in-clinic plus an hourly fee and travel for the medical personnel performing the specific service (s). Employee Health - LVHN-CC . Refer to this list provided by the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA). Yes, we are continuing to maintain all our ventilation systems, including regularly scheduled filter replacement as per our regular operations. If you fall into the CDC-defined category of people who are at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19 due to a serious underlying medical condition, you may submit a confidential request for a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act by submitting these forms through email at incovada@lehigh.edu. Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN) has four different operations levels based on the risk of COVID-19 transmission in our community. Will the university share who is vaccinated and unvaccinated? Studies show immunity from a vaccine may be more reliable and provide more long-term protection. Our journalism needs your support. We are not installing plexiglass at general locations at this time. If the instructor is too sick to teach, the class can be rescheduled or an alternative instructor can be found. Faculty or staff should not request information about students vaccination status. Health Matters Blog; Services Listing; Pay Bill; Health Encyclopedia; Find a Provider; For Referring Physicians at the University of Rochester; . If you arrive on campus and begin to feel symptoms consistent with COVID-19, immediately notify your supervisor or department chair and go home. LVHN has provided Lehigh with an employee guide that includes complete information for accessing their services. Because of this, employers that are considering deferrals for the naturally immune are trying to figure out how to structure that as an internal policy. Health Department staff* are available to answer questions Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 233 96650. We look forward to working with you for a safe and healthful workplace. Steve Novak may be reached at snovak@lehighvalleylive.com. Is there support for University staff and faculty (and their dependents) for mental health needs during this period? LVHN was the last to. Working on Campus. Legislation has also been brought forward in the U.S. Senate to block Bidens mandate for large employers. If you or your child have a history of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in adults or children (MIS-A or MIS-C), consider delaying vaccination until you have recovered from being sick and for 90 days after the date of diagnosis of MIS-A or MIS-C.. I received a bill for a COVID-19 diagnostic test - what should I do? LVHN can help those who do not have a primary care provider. You should contact your primary care physician first and follow their advice, including scheduling a COVID-19 test, if recommended. About URMC. In particular, prior infection is likely to provide poor protection against the Omicron variant. What COVID vaccines fulfill the university's vaccination requirement? The partnership includes an LVHN Employee Health Nurse Case Manager who will serve as the key point of contact for Lehigh employees with any health concerns related to COVID-19. LVHN also said patients who have recently had COVID can defer boosters for at least three months following their diagnosis, as the illness can provide a significant immune system boost.