We started in May by sending a survey to both our volunteers and all the different departments to get a feeling for everyone's readiness to re-engage. 

Then we used the information from the SHVL survey and a similar survey sent within our State - to get a feel of what others were thinking. 

When we met with Senior Leadership we presented that data (presentation attached) and made a recommendation for a phased return.  From that meeting, the decision was  made by senior leadership to use both the data and our recommendation and the CDC guidelines to begin welcoming volunteers back.

Below is an overview (brief) of the phases

Outline of Volunteer Re-engagement Phases

Volunteer Invitation

Department Invitation

……..

Phase 1

• ·         Begins June 15

• ·         Inviting volunteers that are not considered at higher risk per CDC guidelines only

• ·         Visitation Desk (visitation hours only)

• ·         Volunteer Office

• ·         Gift Shop

• ·         Non-clinical facilities (Dolwick, SETEC, but not Thrift Shop)

• ·         Guest Guides

Phase 2

• ·         Begins July 6

• ·         Inviting all current volunteers, including those that are considered at higher risk per CDC guidelines

• ·         Outpatient and clinical departments and services as the department allows (not inpatient)

• ·         All Phase 1

• ·         Begins August 3

• ·         Continue inviting all current volunteers, including those that are considered at higher risk per CDC guidelines

• ·         Inpatient units and ICUs

• ·         Emergency Department

• ·         Surgery/PACU

• ·         Hospice

We made the decision that all Volunteers would need to complete a COVID training and sign the Training Answer Sheet/Consent Form prior to being re-activated. 

I am attaching copies of all our letters/documents.  We are a pretty large program with 5 hospitals - so our communication is more formal and perhaps more complicated than others.  But I put it out there as an example - we all learn from each other!

Attached are:

1- The Data Presentation

2- Return to Volunteer Phases - an Outline

3-Return to Volunteer Memo to our Departments

4-Letter to all our Volunteers

5-CDC Guidelines

6-Volunteer Phases - for those NOT at a higher risk

7- Volunteer Phases - for ALL volunteers (inc those at higher risk)

8-Our COVID training

9- Our COVID Answer Sheet/Consent Form

Hope some of this is helpful to others!

Jenelen Dulemba, Erin Pittman, Margie Kuechler and Vicki Miller

St. Elizabeth Healthcare - Northern Kentucky

Thank you Jenelen for your information, I have been working on these steps also and your information is a great resource. I am meeting with senior management on Thursday to make my proposal. We have opened the Gift shop on May 18th, but it is staffed only by the gift shop manager and a hospital floater to cover lunch. The majority of our volunteers are begging to come back, but as with you, I am proposing those that are not high risk. Thanks again!