On August 5, 2021, the Oregon Health Authority published a temporary rule requiring COVID-19 vaccinations or testing for healthcare providers and healthcare staff in healthcare settings. This rule will be in effect through January 31, 2022.
In summary, the rule requires that any individual, paid or unpaid, that is working, learning, studying, assisting, observing or volunteering in a healthcare setting must be fully vaccinated or undergo COVID-19 testing at least weekly, by molecular or antigen detection for any week the provider or staff person intends to be present at a healthcare setting, on a schedule established by the healthcare provider’s or healthcare staff person’s employer, contractor or responsible party, or in the case of a self-employed healthcare provider, on their own schedule.
An employer of healthcare providers or healthcare staff, contractors or responsible parties must have and follow a policy for:
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Requesting and obtaining from every healthcare provider and healthcare staff person proof of vaccination.
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Required COVID-19 testing for any healthcare provider or healthcare staff person who is unvaccinated or has an unknown vaccination status, on at least a weekly basis.
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Maintaining documentation of weekly COVID-19 test results for any healthcare provider or healthcare staff person who is unvaccinated or has an unknown vaccination status.
The vaccination or testing documentation must be maintained in a confidential medical file separate from other employment records and must be maintained for at least two years.
If you believe you may be covered by this rule, Cascade encourages you to review the definition of “healthcare setting” included in the rule.
All employers of healthcare providers, healthcare staff, contractors and other responsible parties must comply with this rule by September 30, 2021. Violations of this rule are subject to civil penalties of $500 per day per violation.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions!