Hospitals bring back mask mandates: What it means for ASCs

Hospitals in states across the U.S. are starting to bring back mask mandates in healthcare settings as COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses spread at rapid rates, according to a Dec. 28 report from Newsweek.

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In New York City, hospitals have reinstated mask wearing policies following a CDC-reported spike in COVID cases in the area. NYC Health + Hospitals also reinstated a mask policy across all of its facilities, including at its outpatient and ambulatory care centers. 

As New York hospitals begin to reimplement mask policies, it’s likely that other health facilities, including ASCs, will follow. 

On Dec. 14, the Illinois Department of Public Health issued a statement advising all healthcare facilities to “step up mitigation efforts.” The department said it supports the CDC’s recommendation to mask at health facilities in counties where COVID and respiratory virus transmission rates are high. 

UW Health, which has facilities across Wisconsin and Illinois, has started reinstating a mask mandate at many of its care sites. 

In California, a number of counties, including Yolo, Contra Costa, Sonoma, Alameda and San Mateo have ordered all healthcare workers to begin masking again at work. 

At the Becker’s 32nd Annual Meeting: The Business and Operations of ASCs, taking place October 29-31 in Chicago, ASC leaders, surgeons and healthcare executives will explore strategies to drive growth, enhance operational performance, navigate reimbursement challenges and prepare for the future of ambulatory surgery. Apply for complimentary registration now.

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Wednesday, July 29
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Presenters: Joe Ganley, athenahealthJeffrey Flynn, CASC, Gramercy Surgery CenterBryan Tsao, Access Center, Loma Linda University HealthJason Zepeda, Northridge Hospital Medical Center, CommonSpirit HealthGreg DeConciliis, PA-C, CASC, Boston Out­Patient Surgical Suites

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