Recently, the Colorado State Board of Health issued a new state-wide public health order that will require healthcare providers working in Ambulatory Surgery Centers to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination effective September 30, 2021, and healthcare providers in a hospital setting to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination effective November 1, 2021.
WHO IS IMPACTED?
The state order applies to all "healthcare workers", defined as, but not limited to: nurses, nursing assistants, physicians, technicians, therapists, phlebotomists, pharmacists, students and trainees, contractual staff not employed by the healthcare facility and persons not directly involved in patient care, but who could be exposed to infectious agents that can be transmitted in the healthcare setting (e.g., clerical, dietary, environmental services, laundry, security, engineering and facilities management, administrative, billing, and volunteer personnel).
If your clinicians received their vaccination, please make sure you can access proof of vaccination, usually the COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card (issued by the Department of Health and Human Services, CDC or WHO Yellow Card). Acceptable forms of proof include the original card, a photo or paper copy, or a digital copy on their phone or other electronic device. In the coming days, we will follow up with details about how to provide proof of vaccination.
If your clinicians have not completed a full series of one of the three types of vaccines (a full series plus 14 days), or do not have documented medical or religious reasons for opting out by the required dates, they will not be compliant to continue work, which will result in a disruption of service.
If your clinicians have not received a COVID-19 vaccination and have provided documentation for a medical or religious exemption, they will be required to wear a mask while working. In the coming days, we will follow up with details about how to provide proof of exemption.
All facilities in Colorado are covered under the PHO mandating COVID-19 vaccination. All providers and colleagues working in patient care facilities are required to adhere to the mandate and receive the COVID-19 vaccine by the dates mentioned above unless there is a valid, documented medical or religious reason for opting out.
We want to thank everyone who is already vaccinated for doing his or her part to end this pandemic. We appreciate each of you and are grateful for the care you provide to our patients each day.
