Providence’s Professional Image Policy has been updated to include new pandemic-specific requirements. Everyone working at Providence – employees, medical staff, researchers, students, volunteers – is asked to familiarize themselves with and follow the policy as we prepare for a surge of patients with COVID-19.
What’s new for direct care staff:
- Pandemic specific requirements
- Bring uniform to work and change at work
- Keep worn uniform in plastic bag until you get home
- Wash separately from other laundry in hot water
- PPE is never worn outdoors except extended use masks when travelling between sites
- If you work in area where mandatory scrubs are required (OR; Cath Lab; MDRD) you only wear those scrubs in work area and not outdoors at any time
- When outdoors uniforms are fully covered up – unless pandemic specific requirements in place
- Lab coats are never worn outdoors
- Hair longer than shoulder length is tied back off face
- Nails are kept clean, short and polish free; artificial nails and nail jewellery are never worn
- Maintain Bare Below the Elbows at all times when providing direct care:
- Sleeves don’t hang below elbow length
- Hand and wrist jewellery is removed with exception of one simple plain band ring
- Avoid neck ties and lanyards
What’s new for non-direct care staff:
- Pandemic specific requirements:
- Non-medical grade masks are worn at all times when a 2-metre distance cannot be maintained
Providence has always had a professional image policy – however, the compliance of these requirements are more important than ever to help keep ourselves, colleagues and patients safe during a global pandemic. Read the full policy here>
For more information, please read the Q&A below. If you have additional questions, please contact your manager.