Current Information
Dec 7 - Change in screening process
From FHS Dean & VP: Immediate change in screening process for McMaster University
This message is sent on behalf of Paul O’Byrne, Dean and Vice-President, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University
Following direction from Hamilton Public Health, McMaster University is upgrading screening procedures for anyone on McMaster campuses, beginning tomorrow, Monday, Dec. 7.
Please see message below, and note that department chairs are specifically mentioned.
If you have questions, please be in touch with Laura Harrington at harrinl@mcmaster.ca .
This afternoon, this message is being sent to everyone in the Faculty of Health Sciences and, through the programs, to all students.
Subject line: URGENT Dec 7 changes to screening at McMaster University
This message is for all faculty, staff and learners of the Faculty of Health Sciences:
Effective Monday, Dec. 7, 2020, there are changes to screening protocols for McMaster University.
Please note that in clinical settings, faculty attending as medical staff and all learners must continue to follow the guidance at the site. The message below is for individuals not serving as medical staff.
All McMaster faculty, staff and learners must continue to screen themselves within an hour before coming to a campus site, using https://fhsscreening.mcmaster.ca or https://covid-19.ontario.ca/self-assessment.
The difference now is that after self-screening, you must email your supervisor and indicate you have passed the screening of the day. If you do not pass the screening, you are not allowed on-site and must follow the instructions provided.
All Faculty of Health Sciences learners attending a McMaster campus for course-related activities must show the instructor the screening results upon entry.
Faculty, staff and students approved to be on campus for research purposes must email their immediate supervisor. For staff and learners, that is the study’s principal investigator (PI). For the PIs, that is the department chair or the vice-dean, research.
McMaster staff (not including medical staff) at any site to support clinical work must email their immediate supervisor.
Anyone entering the Health Sciences Library must show their screening results to gain entry.
This new measure has been implemented in order to improve the environment of health and safety of everyone on campus during the COVID-19 pandemic.
It is the supervisor or instructor’s responsibility to ensure all faculty, staff and learners are abiding by these requirements.
More information may be found on the university’s Daily News or COVID19 websites.
If you have questions, please contact Laura Harrington at harrinl@mcmaster.ca
July 14 - COVID-19 Update
This message is for all faculty and staff of the Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS) from Paul O’Byrne, Dean and Vice-President
Yesterday the Ontario Premier announced the plans for the province to move into Stage 3 of recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Although Hamilton is not designated to move to that stage yet, at McMaster we will be taking these guidelines into consideration in the continuing work on the university’s Return to Academics and Return to Activities plans, and in refining the Return to Research guidelines. The university will take a careful approach in an effort to safeguard the safety of our students, staff and faculty members. Managers and supervisors will be receiving additional information from the university to support this planning, and this will be accompanied by some additional guidance that is specific to FHS.
I want to ensure you know about the mandatory masks required beginning today at all McMaster University’s buildings. FHS faculty, staff and students have already been following masking and other requirements at our hospital and healthcare sites, as well as at the Michael G. DeGroote Centre for Learning and Discovery (MDCL). For the university, this new measure is in addition to existing workplace health and safety guidelines and practices for COVID-19 already in place requiring personal protective equipment (PPE) appropriate for the specific nature of work. Now we all must wear a mask when we are in any indoor spaces of McMaster’s buildings, including hallways, elevators, lobbies, classrooms, washrooms and other common use areas, including university shuttle buses. There is an exemption to this new requirement for people who should not wear a mask for health reasons or religious considerations. For those who come to the main campus and do not have a face covering, there will be disposable masks provided at key locations.
Some housekeeping issues:
- Regarding screening: For the MDCL and all sites of Hamilton Health Sciences (HHS), before leaving home, McMaster faculty, staff and students are asked to use the self-screening app at https://fhsscreening.mcmaster.ca or the provincial screening tool at https://covid-19.ontario.ca/self-assessment/. If an individual passes the screening criteria, they may use the staff entrances without stopping at a screening kiosk, unless the individual does not have a mask or swipe card. Individuals who haven’t or are unable to perform the screening at home, or who do not have a swipe card or mask, are required to visit the screening booth at the north entrance to MDCL or the patient/visitor screening booth at the HHS site to complete the manual screening. Have your McMaster ID card available.
- Swipe capability on your McMaster ID card is needed to enter MDCL and most HHS sites now, and will be needed soon for the Health Sciences Centre. If your badge has a serial number on the back, it is swipe-capable. Please contact your supervisor for support in converting regular McMaster ID badges to swipe access as this will be done through FHS Human Resources on a priority basis for those who need to be on site to work.
- There is still an opportunity to learn how to Zoom or WebEx. Today’s Zoom training from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. is accessed at https://mcmaster.zoom.us/j/95035054799. Thursday’s WebEx training from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. may be joined at https://mcmaster.webex.com/meet/skrzek
And, as a reminder, McMaster’s information base on COVID-19 pandemic is here: https://covid19.mcmaster.ca.
Thank you for your continued commitment to excellence in health sciences learning, discovery and care.
Paul
This message is for all faculty, staff and students of the Faculty of Health Sciences from Laura Harrington, Assistant Vice-President
There are changes in screening and masking protocols for the Michael G. DeGroote Centre for Learning and Discovery (MDCL), the Health Sciences Centre (HSC) and other sites of Hamilton Health Sciences (HHS) for all McMaster faculty, staff and students. These changes do not apply to St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton sites.
Screening
MDCL and all HHS sites
Before leaving home, McMaster faculty, staff and students are asked to use the self-screening app at https://fhsscreening.mcmaster.ca or the provincial screening tool at https://covid-19.ontario.ca/self-assessment/. If an individual passes the screening criteria, they may use the entrances as indicated below without stopping at a screening kiosk, unless the individual does not have a mask or swipe card.
Please contact your supervisor for support in converting regular McMaster ID badges to swipe access – this will be done through FHS HR on a priority basis for those who need to be on site to work.
Individuals who haven’t or are unable to perform the screening at home, or who do not have a swipe card or mask, are required to visit the screening booth at the north entrance to MDCL or the patient/visitor screening booth at the HHS site to complete the manual screening process.
Supervisors are also asked to conduct random, daily spot checks to ensure that the screening has been performed. This will be done either by visually checking a screenshot of the results, or by asking the individual to email the results to the supervisor.
MDCL
Faculty, staff and students who have passed the screening criteria and have a swipe card and mask may enter the building at any entrance using their swipe card.
HHS sites other than HSC
Beginning July 9, 2020, faculty, staff and students who have passed the screening criteria and have a swipe card and mask may use the following entrances:
- Juravinski Hospital and Cancer Centre – entrance next to the Breast Assessment Centre
- Hamilton General Hospital – entrance at McMaster Wing, across from David Braley building
- Peter’s Hospital – entrance near the auditorium
HSC
Beginning July 13, 2020, faculty, staff and students who have passed the screening criteria and have a mask may enter HSC using the red staff elevators, red stairway 42 or the designated staff entrance at the main entrance to HSC (level two). A McMaster ID badge is needed; a swipe card is not needed at this time, but will be in the coming weeks.
Masking
MDCL and all HHS sites
As before, individuals entering and working in hospital sites and MDCL will be required to wear a mask. The mask must be worn within the building unless you are in an office on your own. McMaster faculty, staff and students are asked to arrive at MDCL or the HHS site with a mask.
If an individual does not arrive with a mask, they will need to visit the MDCL north entrance or the HHS patient/visitor screening booth where they will be given a mask. While on site, faculty, staff and students may be given a mask by the department/program to be taken home in a paper bag for use the next time they visit the site. Please speak with your supervisor for more information.
An FHS booth will remain in HSC red garage for the week of July 13, 2020 to ensure that masks are available during this transition.
If your department requires masks for your team, please contact me at harrinl@mcmaster.ca for additional information.
Thank you for your patience and cooperation as we adapt our screening and masking protocols in the Faculty of Health Sciences.
Best regards,
Laura
June 30 - MDCL Changes to Screening Process
This message is for all faculty, staff and students of the Faculty of Health Sciences
from Laura Harrington, Assistant Vice-President
There are changes in how to enter the Michael G. DeGroote Centre for Learning and Discovery (MDCL) beginning July 6, 2020 for all McMaster faculty, staff and students.
At this time there are no changes in how McMaster personnel or students enter the Health Sciences Centre (HSC).
Individuals entering MDCL with an access card may now complete the online screening at home as previously directed (https://fhsscreening.mcmaster.ca) and, if they pass the screening criteria, they can now use their swipe card to enter and do not need to show their results to the screeners. By swiping, individuals are confirming that they have taken and passed the FHS online screening. There may be occasional spot checks done.
Individuals who haven’t or are unable to perform the screening at home are required to visit the screening booth at the north entrance to MDCL to complete the manual screening process.
As before, individuals entering and working in both the HSC and MDCL will be required to wear a mask, in alignment with the universal masking in place within hospital settings. Individuals who arrive without a mask are required to visit the screening booth, where they will be given a mask. The mask must be worn within the building unless you are in an office on your own.
Individuals who wish to access MDCL between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. or on the weekend may now enter using their swipe card during these times, after completing and passing the screening as above. Since the screening booths are not available after hours, these individuals will need to bring a mask. A mask can be obtained from the screeners during the weekday for use after hours – individuals are asked to bring their own paper bag to carry the mask prior to use.
Further instructions on proper storage and donning of masks are below.
Your cooperation for the screening and masking protocols for people entering the MDCL and the HSC are appreciated, and are useful in facilitating the flow of researchers, staff and students using the walkways between the two buildings.
Changes in the screening protocols at the HSC by Hamilton Health Sciences (HHS) will only impact hospital staff.
Thank you for your patience as this process unfolds.
Best regards,Laura
Information related to mask use:
- Use only new and clean masks and paper bags. Please do not re-use masks or bags – each bag is only to be used once and only to store an unused mask.
- Before touching the clean mask, wash hands with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer if water is not readily available.
- Safe storage of masks:
- Paper bag should be folded closed
- Include name/date on the outside of the bag
- Keep bag dry and store in moderate climate; avoid extreme heat/cold
- Discard mask if it becomes wet or soiled
- Before donning the mask:
-
- Wash hands with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer if water is not readily available
- Inspect mask for integrity prior to donning
- Follow proper donning processes https://hr.mcmaster.ca/app/uploads/2020/05/Face-Coverings-and-Mask-Usage-COVID-19.pdf
This message is for all faculty, staff and students of the Faculty of Health Sciences from Laura Harrington, Assistant Vice-President
Screening and masking protocols are beginning for people entering the Michael G. DeGroote Centre for Learning and Discovery (MDCL), aligned with the protocols for those to enter McMaster’s Health Sciences Centre (HSC, aka the McMaster University Medical Centre). This is to facilitate the flow of screened researchers, staff and students using the walkways between the two buildings.
There are changes in how to enter both buildings beginning Monday, June 8 for all McMaster faculty, staff and students.
Individuals entering and working in both the HSC and MDCL will be required to wear a mask, in alignment with the universal masking in place within hospital settings.
People entering both buildings will need to be screened. This screening will be done by completion of an online survey, which may be found at https://fhsscreening.mcmaster.ca . This may be done on your smart phone at home before coming in to quicken the process or it may be done manually at the entrance screening desk. Upon completion, the survey will display a result of green to enter or red to stay or return home. Our team is making every effort to have the tool ready for Monday, but if not, manual screening is available at the screening stations.
To enter the HSC/MUMC, McMaster faculty, staff and students should continue to enter through the screening by the red elevators in the underground parking garage. Please use the new screening station designated for individuals from McMaster.
To enter MDCL, McMaster faculty, staff and students need to use the north entrance by the Atrium and go through a screening process. Other doors will be closed to entry.
These screening desks will be manned Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Outside of these hours, individuals wishing to enter MDCL will need to use the HSC underground garage screening station and walk across the second-floor bridge from the HSC to MDCL.
A mask will be provided at the screening station, or you may bring your own mask. The mask must be worn within the buildings unless you are in an office on your own.
Thank you for your patience as we work through some of the logistical details of this process over the coming days. Your cooperation and support are greatly appreciated.
Best regards,
Laura
Archived Messages
Apr 30 - Universal Masking required at Hamilton Hospitals
Hamilton Health Sciences and St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton have begun universal masking for everyone coming into their hospitals.
All McMaster University faculty, staff and students entering a hospital building at the staff entrance will be given one surgical mask daily to be worn at all times in the building unless in an office alone or behind a plexiglass barrier. When the mask is off, it should be stored in a plastic container you provide, and instructions for taking it on and off are here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHuzqNyy2s0&feature=youtu.be If you put on additional protective equipment to be in a clinical area, you will store your daily mask to wear to leave that area. In the interests of conservation of personal protective equipment, the hospitals are reminding people that masks can be reused if not damage, deteriorated or improperly stored.
This instruction is for all hospitals or patient-care sites. It does not include university buildings such as the Michael G. DeGroote Centre for Learning and Discovery (MDCL), the David Braley Health Sciences Centre, nor hospital buildings without clinical care such as the David Braley Cardiac, Vascular and Stroke Research Institute on the Hamilton General site.
However, if you are travelling into a hospital from another building, for example, over the internal bridge from the MDCL to the Health Sciences Centre/McMaster Children’s Hospital, you are asked to wear a mask while in the hospital building. Even a homemade one would be acceptable.
If you have questions, please contact the Faculty’s corporate services at fhscorps@mcmaster.ca
Apr 13 - You, FHS and parking and hospital entrance processes
This memo is for all faculty, staff and students of the Faculty of Health Sciences regarding parking and hospital entrance processes during the COVID-19 pandemic
Parking
For those who park on McMaster University campus, all sites:
- Parking is free to facilitate easier movement for those still working on campus. Parking gates on campus and Ward Avenue lot have been lifted. If you need to attend campus, please park properly in a designated lot. Transponders do not have to be returned to the parking office as they can be reactivated upon return to campus.
- The University has agreed to provide reimbursement for prepaid parking fees for the time impacted by COVID-19.
Employees
Automated parking payroll deductions for staff and faculty will be stopped for the pay period starting April 5, 2020. This payment stop will be reflected on the April 17, 2020 pay deposit for faculty members and the April 24, 2020 pay deposit for staff. Payroll deductions for parking will automatically restart once the university resumes regular business. Employees who prepaid parking by a method other than payroll deductions will have a credit issued to their account for the month of April and any subsequent months during the period when the university is open only to those providing essential services and conducting essential research. The credit will be applied to their monthly parking purchased after the university reopens for regular business. The credit must be redeemed by April 30, 2021.
If you are seasonal staff, sessional faculty or on a university recognized leave of absence, the above refund policies do not apply as the dates of your return to campus may be different than employees who will simply return when campus reopens. Please contact parking@mcmaster.ca to advise on your specific parking requirements and they will be processed.
All faculty and staff will be able to return to the lot they parked in prior to the closure upon return to campus.
No action is required to initiate this process.
Students
A credit will be issued to students who prepaid parking for half of the month of March and any other subsequent months during the period when the university is open only to those providing essential services and conducting essential research. This credit may be applied against parking fees for the upcoming 20/21 academic year. The credit must be redeemed by April 30, 2021. Graduating students or students who would prefer a refund cheque should email parking@mcmaster.ca. Please include your student number and a current address.
- For any questions, please contact parking@mcmaster.ca
For those who park at Hamilton Health Sciences (HHS) sites, including the Health Sciences Centre underground and south parking garages:
- HHS is offering free parking for the month of April at all of its sites.
- Payroll parking deductions will be paused during this time. For McMaster staff members, that is effective as of the pay deposit of Thursday, April 9, and for McMaster faculty, that will be effective as of the pay deposit of Friday, April 17.
- For any questions, please contact fhscorps@mcmaster.ca.
For those who park at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton (SJHH) sites:
- There have been no changes in the parking arrangements.
- However, all SJHH healthcare workers, full-time, part-time and casual active staff, as well as physicians who pay SJHH to park, will receive a $50 travel reimbursement for the month of April.
- For any questions, please contact fhscorps@mcmaster.ca.
Hospital entrance screening
For those entering Hamilton Health Sciences (HHS) hospitals, including the Health Sciences Centre/McMaster Children’s Hospital:
- All Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS) personnel should enter through the designated staff entrances if they need to enter a hospital building for work.
- All FHS faculty and staff who also work for HHS should use the pre-admission self-screening tool at https://healthcloudtrialmaster-15a4d-170f4cb60f6.force.com/employeeportal/s/covid-19-self-assessment and have your hospital identifications prepared to show.
- All FHS faculty and staff who do NOT work for HHS should go through the manual self-screening and have your McMaster University identification badge ready.
- If you do not pass the screening to be able to enter the hospital building, please follow the hospital’s instructions. Also, please notify your McMaster supervisor.
- More information for staff, physicians and learners regarding COVID-19 and HHS may be found at: https://www.hamiltonhealthsciences.ca/staffcovid19 .
For those entering St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton (SJHH) hospital sites:
- All Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS) personnel should enter through the designated staff entrances if they need to enter a hospital building for work.
- All FHS faculty and staff who also work for SJHH should use your St. Joe’s user name and password to access the pre-entrance screening tool found at https://www.sjhhscreening.com/Login?ReturnUrl=%2f and have your hospital identification badge prepared to show.
- All FHS faculty and staff who do NOT work for SJHH should use the online digital screening tool at https://sjhhscreening.com/Login?ReturnUrl=%2f which gives you the option of screening, and have your McMaster University identification badge ready.
- If you do not pass the screening to be able to enter the hospital, please follow the hospital’s instructions. Also, please notify your McMaster supervisor.
- More information for staff, physicians, volunteers and learners regarding COVID-19 and SJHH may be found at: https://www.stjoes.ca/coronavirus/information-for-our-staff/physicians/volunteers/learners
As a reminder:
- The Institute for Applied Health Sciences and the Communications Research Laboratory on campus, as well as the Waterloo Regional Campus in Kitchener and the Niagara Regional Campus in St. Catharines, have been closed and are available only to those with keys or electronic access cards.
- Those FHS buildings remaining open include the Health Sciences Centre (HSC), the Michael G. DeGroote Centre for Learning and Discovery (MDCL) and the David Braley Health Sciences Centre (DBHSC).
- Anyone working alone in a campus space must follow McMaster’s policy on working alone which may be found here: https://hr.mcmaster.ca/app/uploads/2019/01/RMM-304-Working-Alone-Program-February-2011.pdf