SPOKANE, Wash.-Masks are now required in hospitals within the MultiCare Health System, including MultiCare Yakima Memorial Hospital, as rates of respiratory illness continue to rise.
The masking requirements were implemented in patient care areas after hospitals around the region passed the threshold of hospital visits for respiratory illness, including the flu and RSV, set by the Northwest Healthcare Response Network.
Masks are now required for patients, visitors and staff in all patient care areas located inside hospitals and emergency departments.
According to MultiCare, patient care areas include, patient floors and hallways, patient exam rooms, front desk/check-in areas, during any patient interactions and oncology clinics and waiting rooms.
MultiCare worked with the Northwest Healthcare Response Network to develop metrics and masking guidelines. If any of the following metrics are met or exceeded, then masking will be required:
COVID-19 admissions exceed 10 people per 100,000 members of the population.Regional emergency department visits for COVID-19 exceed 3 percent of total visits.Regional emergency department visits for influenza exceed 1 percent of total visits.Regional emergency department visits for RSV exceed 0.3 percent of total visits.
