In continued efforts to reduce the spread of SARS-CoV-2, the following protocols have been established to help ensure the health and safety of all Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) employees, students and clients. During work hours, all essential employees are expected to follow these Essential Employee Protocols which include guidelines for cloth masks usage and temperature monitoring during Auburn University’s period of restricted operations in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. These guidelines are especially critical for those working in the Veterinary Teaching Hospitals (VTH) due to interaction with clients and patients. This information will be updated continuously as conditions change or as necessary.
CVM Important Contacts:
- Auburn University Medical Clinic: (334) 844-9825
- East Alabama Medical Center: (334) 528-SICK
- Paul Walz, Department Head (Pathobiology): (334) 844-4951
- Mahmoud Mansour, Interim Department Head (APP): (334) 844-6741
- Andrea Perkins, CVM Infection Control and Biosecurity: (334) 728-8480
Guidelines for Self-Monitoring Temperature*
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recently implemented updated guidance for critical workers to ensure continuity of operations of essential functions during the COVID-19 pandemic.
All essential employees continuing to perform work functions on the CVM campus, are expected to be aware of COVID-19-related symptoms and regularly self-monitor temperature. Fever of 100oF or greater is a possible COVID-19 indicator. To make the self-monitoring process easier for essential CVM employees, no-touch thermometers and instructions for use are available in various locations on campus. Please check your temperature periodically before and during work hours, and report any COVID-19 related symptoms including elevated temperature to your supervisor as soon as possible.
Initial protocols for any CVM employee to follow after a known or suspected exposure to COVID-19 were to contact the Auburn University Medical Clinic (during business hours) or East Alabama Medical Center (weekends and outside of business hours) and not return to work for 14 days. Based on updated CDC guidance, CVM critical employees who have had potential exposure may continue to work as long as they remain asymptomatic and adhere to the CDC-recommended practices during their shift.
Regardless of whether or not an employee is deemed a critical worker, all potentially exposed employees and students should alert his/her supervisor, and then contact the Auburn University Medical Clinic (during business hours) at 334-844-9825 or East Alabama Medical Clinic (weekends and outside of business hours) at 334-528-SICK for screening and instructions.
Additional clarification and answers to frequently asked questions related to this revised protocol for CVM employees are included below.
Where can I locate no-touch thermometers for self-monitoring?
- Bailey Small Animal Teaching Hospital – front desk
- JT Vaughan Large Animal Teaching Hospital – front desk
- Greene Hall
- Hoerlein Hall
- North Auburn
- Scott Ritchey Research Center
What are best practices for thermometer use?
- Wait 30 minutes after eating, drinking or exercising before checking temperature.
- Wait at least 6 hours after taking medicine that can lower your temperature, such as, but not limited to Acetaminophen (or paracetamol), Ibuprofen, Aspirin or any NSAID not included in this list.
- Clean thermometers with Rescue disinfectant or alcohol wipes before and after each use.
What is considered a potential exposure?
A potential exposure is defined as contact with someone in your household or being within 6 feet of a non-household member who is either confirmed or suspected to have COVID-19, within 48 hours before the individual exhibited symptoms or while the individual was symptomatic.
How do I find out if I am considered a critical worker?
Critical worker designation is based on a variety of factors which could fluctuate due to various situations. Please immediately alert your supervisor if you have had a known or potential exposure to COVID-19, or you are exhibiting symptoms associated with COVID-19 such as cough and/or fever of 100 degrees or greater. The appropriate administrative personnel will determine which protocol should be followed.
What if I become symptomatic while at work?
Alert your supervisor immediately if you become symptomatic while at work, and then call the Auburn University Medical Clinic for screening and further instructions. You will also be asked to help create a list of potential workplace contacts with whom you have been within 6 feet in the last 48 hours. These close workplace contacts will automatically be considered potentially exposed and expected to follow these workplace guidelines.
CDC-recommended practices for exposed or potentially exposed employees:
- Screening/Self-monitoring: The exposed employee should self-monitor temperature and assess symptoms, preferably before coming to work.
- Fever is either a measured temperature 100oF or greater, or subjective fever (see criteria listed below). Note that fever may be intermittent or may not be present in some patients, such as those who are elderly, immunosuppressed or taking certain medications, such as NSAIDs, that could result in inaccurate measurements. Subjective fever criteria:
- Self-reported history of feeling feverish
- The person feels warm to the touch
- Appearance of a flushed face, glassy eyes or chills
- Respiratory symptoms consistent with COVID-19 including cough, shortness of breath and/or sore throat.
- Other symptoms which may include muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, headache, runny nose and fatigue.
- Fever is either a measured temperature 100oF or greater, or subjective fever (see criteria listed below). Note that fever may be intermittent or may not be present in some patients, such as those who are elderly, immunosuppressed or taking certain medications, such as NSAIDs, that could result in inaccurate measurements. Subjective fever criteria:
- Wear a mask: The exposed employee should wear a cloth mask at all times while in the workplace for 14 days following the exposure incident. Speak with your supervisor if you need a mask. The employee must follow the laundering and care instructions provided in the Guidelines for Cloth Mask Usage portion of the Auburn CVM COVID-19 Employee Protocols.
- Physical distance: The exposed employee should maintain a minimum of 6 feet of physical distance between themselves and others whenever possible or as work duties permit.
- Cleaning and disinfection: Environmental surfaces in work spaces should be cleaned and disinfected multiple times during the exposed individual’s shift, particularly shared surfaces that an exposed individual has frequent contact with items such as computer equipment, door and cabinet handles, restroom surfaces, telephones, desks and counters. Cleaning and disinfection of such surfaces should occur at minimum at the beginning of the shift, mid-shift and at the end of the shift. If gross contamination is observed, the material should be mechanically removed, then Rescue wipes or spray applied to the surface(s) for disinfection, allowing the surface to remain wet for 5 minutes. If a different disinfectant is used, please read the label and follow manufacturer’s instructions for contact times. After the desired contact time, the disinfectant can either air dry or be wiped off.
Guidelines for Cloth Mask Usage*
All CVM essential employees are encouraged to use cloth face masks during work hours. Cloth masks are intended to offer a layer of protection for both the wearer and others nearby, and are expected to be worn by all employees while in work-related situations where no PPE is indicated and when physical distancing (minimum 6-foot distance from another person) is not possible. Studies have shown that cloth masks made from tightly woven cotton, such as t-shirt or pillow case material, can block 50% of particles from passing through. In comparison, surgical masks block up to 80% of particles and N95 masks block 95-99% of particles, including viruses. Cloth masks should never be worn in place of surgical or N95 masks when respiratory PPE is indicated.
Obtaining Cloth Masks
The CVM will supply each essential VTH employee with two (2) cloth masks. Cloth masks are also being provided for essential employees in other CVM units as they become available. If the mask you have been provided is not a good fit, contact your supervisor to obtain a different mask. Indications of a good fit:
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- The mask covers from the bridge of the nose just below the eyes and fully wraps the chin with at least one inch under the chin.
- The mask fits securely around the face with little or no gaps.
If preferred, employees are allowed to supply their own laundered cloth masks for work-related use. Employees must launder donated or home-created face masks prior to first use. The CVM welcomes donations of cloth masks for use by essential employees.
General guidelines for use of cloth masks
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- Cloth masks are not a replacement for proper PPE in any situation.
- Always wash your hands prior to touching a clean mask.
- Cloth masks must be changed after 4 hours of continuous use.
- Masks may be lowered from the face while not in use, but if removed completely, the mask should be stored in either a paper bag or zippered plastic storage bag.
- Masks that become contaminated with blood or other body fluid must be removed immediately and placed in a sealed zippered plastic storage bag or paper bag until laundered.
- Used/soiled masks must be stored and transported in either a paper bag or zippered plastic storage bag, and must be laundered prior to returning to the CVM campus.
- Employees are expected to launder his/her own mask(s) at home after each use and bring the masks to work for each scheduled shift.
- Employees are recommended to have at least two (2) clean masks at the start of each shift to easily change after contamination or four (4) hours of continuous wear.
- If a cloth mask is used infrequently or for brief intervals such that the cumulative amount of time the mask is worn throughout the day equates to less than four (4) hours, only one mask per day may be necessary.
- Each department should have a limited number of extra masks. If your mask becomes soiled and an additional is required, contact your supervisor to obtain a clean mask. All ‘borrowed’ masks must be laundered and returned in a zippered plastic storage bag or paper bag during the employee’s next scheduled shift.
- Additional cloth masks will be distributed to employees as they become available.
Proper techniques for wearing cloth masks
- ALWAYS wash or sanitize hands prior to touching a mask, whether it is on your face or not.
- Securing the mask:
- If the mask has ear loops: Hold the mask by the ear loops and place a loop around each ear.
- If the mask has ties: Hold the mask by the ties and bring the mask to your nose. Place the top ties over the crown of your head and tie to secure. Next, bring the lower ties around the nape of your neck, and tie in a bow. Ensure the mask is tied tightly enough so that it is secured around face with no large gaps.
- If the mask has elastic bands: Bring the mask to your nose and pull the top band over your head and let it rest on the crown of your head, and then pull the bottom strap over your head and let it rest on the nape of your neck.
- Best practices for working while wearing a cloth mask:
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- Cloth mask may be lowered off your face when at least 6 feet from another individual, eating and drinking.
- Wash or sanitize hands before touching or lowering mask to ensure only clean hands touch your mask.
- Wash or sanitize hands after lowering mask before touching other surfaces.
- Depending on style, to lower mask, mask can be pulled down over chin, top tie undone or top strap pulled over head.
- After mask is replaced over face, wash hands before touching other surfaces.
Laundering cloth masks
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- Masks should be taken home to launder before first use and after each shift.
- Used/soiled masks must be transported in a paper bag or zippered plastic storage bag.
- Remove masks from zippered plastic storage bag or paper bag and place directly into washing machine, close the bag, place bag into the trash can, then wash your hands immediately with soap and water for 20 seconds.
- Masks should be washed with laundry detergent, dried on the highest possible temperature setting and not washed with other clothing.
- Used masks may not be brought back to the CVM until they have been washed.
Online resources
https://smartairfilters.com/en/blog/best-materials-make-diy-face-mask-virus/?rel=1
https://smartairfilters.com/en/blog/diy-homemade-mask-protect-virus-coronavirus/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2440799/
https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/bmjopen/5/4/e006577.full.pdf
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/guidance-risk-assesment-hcp.html
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/COVID-19_CAREKit_ENG.pdf
Last updated 4/16/2020
* Adapted from Guidelines for Wearing Cloth Masks in the VMC during the COVID-19 Pandemic, Michigan State University and from the CDC COVID-19 Interim Guidance for Critical Workers and CDC Guidance for Potential Exposure at Work.
