This site is a resource for all Phelps Health employees. Keeping you informed and updated about COVID-19 is our priority. Below you will find documents that have been sent out or created regarding COVID-19 from Phelps Health. This page will be updated frequently with policies, letters and other releases to keep all staff informed. Internal memos will be posted to the employee portal COVID-19 page.
COVID-19 Vaccination
*Important Update to CMS COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement*
On November 29, a federal court in St. Louis has formally stopped the CMS vaccine requirement policy until further notice for Missouri and nine other states. This means that the CMS rule that requires all healthcare employees residing in these 10 states to get vaccinated or prove exemption by January 4, 2022, is on hold.
What does this mean for Phelps Health employees?
For now, our policy is suspended, and employees will not be required to meet the prior CMS deadlines for phase one (December 6) and phase two (January 4). The November 29 ruling is subject to change, and we may not know the ultimate outcome for several weeks. Once we learn more, we will communicate that information out to you as quickly as possible.
What should employees do in the meantime?
We still encourage employees to get vaccinated if they choose to do so, and we also recommend vaccinated employees to turn in their vaccination records to Occupational Health and Wellness if that information is not already on file.
Video Resources:
COVID-19 Vaccination and Fertility with Dr. Nathan Ratchford
Phelps Health employees answer why they got the COVID-19 vaccine
COVID-19 Vaccine Questions with Dr. Cory Offutt
The Different COVID-19 Vaccines with Dr. Cory Offutt
COVID-19 Vaccine Q&A with Aaron Cohlmia, FNP
Why You Should Get the COVID-19 Vaccine with Dr. Brian Kriete
Safety and Speed of COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout with Dr. Brian Kriete
COVID-19 Vaccine Questions and Myths with Dr. Erik AuBuchon
Phelps Health Employee, Mara Hofherr, Shares Reasons for Getting COVID-19 Vaccine
Policies
Visitor Policy (Updated November 12, 2021)
COVID-19 HCP Exposure (Employees who are tested for COVID-19 must report this testing to Occupational Health and Wellness. There are guidelines in place for when and how an employee with a confirmed or suspected case of COVID-19 can return to work. If you have been tested, you must self-isolate, and you will be restricted from providing clinical care until the results have been obtained. Please familiarize yourself with the policy on employees returning to work.)
COVID-19 Self Monitoring
COVID-19 Precautions
Employee Travel Report Form
Daily Use Instructions for Cloth Masks
Daily Use Instructions for Surgical Masks
In an effort to limit travel within the facility, Occupational Health and Wellness is asking to please call or email the office if you have travel to report. You can call 458-7158, 458-7167 or 458-7162 or email wellness@phelpshealth.org.
When you call or email, please have the following information:
- Employee name and employee number
- Contact number, preferably a cell phone number
- Location of travel
- Dates of travel
- Any temperature or respiratory symptoms
As per the new policy, you will be asked to self-monitor your temperature and to monitor for any respiratory symptoms.
If an employee has a temperature of 100.0 or greater or the development of respiratory symptoms such as cough, shortness of breath or sore throat they will need to self-isolate and will need to be reported to Occupational Health immediately.
