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Patients and Guests

COVID-19 Communication for Volunteers

As a volunteer for UAMS, please document that you have read the COVID-19 communication outlining what UAMS is doing, how you can help at UAMS and how to protect yourself and your family.

Read the following information and confirm that you have read and understand by entering your name and checking the box at the bottom of the page.

COVID-19: What is it?

COVID-19 is a new respiratory virus that has the potential to cause severe illness and pneumonia in some people. It was identified in late 2019 and has spread from China to other countries around the world. Symptoms include fever, cough and shortness of breath. 

What is UAMS Doing? 

  • Working closely with the Arkansas Department of Health.
  • Following all CDC-recommended screening protocols. 
  • Preparing for the potential of caring for COVID-19 patients. 
  • Using a travel screening tool to identify at registration patients who have been to locations where COVID-19 is widespread and who have symptoms 
  • Giving a face mask to patients who meet the travel screening criteria and taking them to an isolation room. An Infectious Disease physician and the Infection Prevention team help coordinate care. 
  • Accepting transfer patients diagnosed with COVID-19 only if we have capacity to care for them and they require a level of care not available closer to home. Transfers to UAMS are coordinated and approved by the Department of Health. 
  • Providing refresher training in PPE (personal protective equipment) and N-95 fittings to care teams likely to care for infected patients. 
  • Providing online PPE training to patient care employees. 
  • Ensuring fellows and residents will be involved in the direct care of patients infected with COVID-19 only as medically appropriate, educationally indicated and after appropriate training. 
  • Ensuring students will not be involved in direct patient care of patients infected with COVID-19 
  • Providing timely, accurate information to employees, patients and the public. 
  • Conserving PPE in the event of future shortages. 
  • Conducting training exercises on the use of PPE and transfer of infected patients. 

How Can I Help at UAMS?

  • Wash your hands 
  • If you do not feel well, tell your supervisor and go home. 
  • Employees who have symptoms of acute respiratory illness are encouraged to stay home and not come to work until they are free of fever (100.4° F [37.8° C] or greater using an oral thermometer), signs of a fever, and any other symptoms for at least 24 hours, without the use of fever-reducing or other symptom-altering medicines (e.g. cough suppressants). 
    • Employees who appear to have acute respiratory illness symptoms (i.e. cough, shortness of breath) upon arrival to work or become sick during the day with no known origin of the illness should be sent home or to the emergency room as appropriate. 
    • Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing (or an elbow or shoulder if no tissue is available). 
    • Employees who are well but who have a sick family member at home with COVID-19 or have been notified of the need for a family member to be quarantined should notify their supervisor and refer to CDC guidance for how to conduct a risk assessment of their potential exposure. 
  • Encourage your co-workers, students and others to go home if they are sick. 
  • Ask visitors who have respiratory symptoms to stay home if they do not need medical care. If they are at UAMS for medical care, give them a face mask to wear. 
  • Give a face mask to any patient who has symptoms and is concerned they may have the coronavirus and take them to the clinic they are headed to or the Emergency Department for triage. Notify clinical staff immediately. 
  • Use appropriate PPE to protect yourself and patients but do not waste potentially limited supplies. 

How Can I Protect Myself?

  • Wash your hands. 
  • Avoid touching your mouth, nose and eyes. 
  • Do not wear a face mask unless you are sick or caring for someone who is sick. 
  • Get a flu shot. It’s not too late. 
  • If you or family members have symptoms or acute respiratory illness, stay home and isolate the person with symptoms as much as possible.
  • Use UAMS HealthNow if you have symptoms and don’t want potential exposure to germs. 
  • Check the CDC’s Information for Travel for the latest guidance and recommendations for each destination country.  
    • Check yourself for symptoms of acute respiratory illness before starting travel. 
    • If you become sick while traveling, notify your supervisor and call a healthcare provider for advice, if needed. 
  • Keep a two-week supply of food and medications for your family at home.