Statement on Universal Masking Practices at Care Facilities

Chicago, Ill.—April 3, 2020—CommonSpirit Health released the following statement regarding its practice around universal masking at its care facilities across the country.

“CommonSpirit Health is doing everything possible to keep our patients and caregivers safe as we care for patients with COVID-19. We follow guidance from the CDC on the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and that guidance is updated as we learn more about this virus. CommonSpirit has implemented a universal masking policy at all of our care facilities. This means that every caregiver in a patient care setting will wear a mask for the duration of their shift.

“Maintaining this policy depends on an adequate supply of masks and we are doing all we can to conserve our supplies and secure additional masks. We are working with suppliers as well as state and federal officials to secure more masks, and we work to send those supplies to areas in our network where they are most needed. We have also implemented a program to sterilize and reprocess masks wherever possible. We will continue to update our guidance based on the latest information from public health officials, while also making sure we have the supplies we need to care for an expected increase of COVID-19 patients in many of our communities in the coming days and weeks.”

CommonSpirit has a range of online resources for patients and communities. The latest information can be found at www.catholichealthinitiatives.org/covid19 and at www.dignityhealth.org/coronavirus-disease-2019.