We have not yet chosen a date for our volunteers to return.  COVID-19 numbers are still rising in our area so I anticipate it will be awhile before we can welcome them back.

WakeMed Health & Hospitals has no return date as of today.  We are now accepting donations from our community volunteers following the protocol attached.

Thanks

Jackie

We do have volunteers returning in certain areas. The first few were brought back 3 weeks ago and we're slowly opening up other areas. Obviously, I am not pushing volunteers to return, only if they feel 100% comfortable and I am educating them individually on safety measures before their first shift. Coverage is somewhat hit and miss for now. The areas we are utilizing volunteers are:

•  Gift Shop (barrier installed at register) - only 1 customer at a time (small shop)
• Outpatient and visitor centers - escorting and transporting patients to destination, also discharging inpatients (with the exception of Maternity).
• Same Day Surgery Waiting (barrier installed)
• FaithHealthNC - no physical client contact, only phone calls or email to assist clients
• Rehab - cardiac, PT

What are we doing to keep our volunteers safe?

•  We are NOT housing COVID positive inpatients, they are being sent to the Cone system with the exception of Maternity. Due to this, we do not allow our volunteers to enter the ED or Maternity.
• Volunteers are required to wear surgical masks and as of yesterday, all volunteers will also wear face shields.
• I have a one-on-one with any volunteer returning; safety measures, hand-washing, personal distancing (when possible), cleaning face shields, when to change masks, storage of masks, etc.
• Masks are to de donned when exiting vehicle and will not be removed until entering their vehicle.
• Self monitoring as well as temp checks upon entry for everyone. We are limiting visitors except for specific cases.
• I have had a few volunteers who have wanted to return but due to several co-morbidities, it was agreed by all to wait for now.

I am rounding more than ever before, asking volunteers how they feel about their safety, suggestions, etc. One volunteer decided to stop due to the drastic rise in cases in our county. All others state they feel more secure here than in the grocery store or at church. We will not open up other volunteer services areas until we start seeing a steady decline in cases...probably will be quite a while. I have no idea what the fall will look like with volunteers when flu season hits. 

I hope this information helps. Email me if I can be of more assistance. Be safe! 

I'm curious to see when you all have your volunteers returning to work, or if anyone has already allowed them to come back? Our facility has a three phase plan, with volunteers coming back in phase 3 (probably fall or later); however, some of the other  hospitals near us have allowed volunteers to come back to work if they choose, after signing a waiver.  Now our administration wants evaluate the use volunteers to man entrances (after visitors are screened by staff). Can any of you share what you are doing at your hospitals?