OHSU strongly recommends masks in health care settings

Beginning April 3, the Oregon Health Authority is no longer requiring workers, patients, learners and/or visitors to wear masks in health care settings. OHSU strongly recommends mask-wearing throughout the health care system.

Beginning April 3, the Oregon Health Authority is no longer requiring workers, patients, learners and/or visitors to wear masks in health care settings. Oregon Health & Science University today announced its new guidance, which continues to prioritize health and safety.

First and foremost, OHSU respects all who choose to wear masks, at any time and in any setting. The reasons to wear a mask may be very personal. OHSU expects all members, patients and visitors to be respectful of this choice and each other.

OHSU strongly recommends mask-wearing throughout the health care system, including at OHSU hospitals and clinics, Hillsboro Medical Center and Adventist Health Portland. OHSU also highly recommends all patients wear masks when outside their room.

OHSU will continue to follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance on minimizing the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 infections — including continuing to wear masks in certain settings — after the state requirement expires. The CDC recommendations for health care facilities are based on community transmission levels. Although the current community transmission level in Multnomah, Washington and Clackamas counties is moderate, masking guidance could change if transmission risks increase.

Beginning April 3, OHSU will require masks in areas where patients and staff are at greatest risk, by patient request or based on guidance from the CDC, as described in the grid below.

OHSU Health members will gladly wear masks if requested by patients or family members, and they are expected to ask about masking preference. Patients and their families are encouraged to notify their health care team at any time if they would like them to wear a mask.

OHSU members can remove their masks when in staff-only areas of the unit or service area, including break rooms and designated staff areas.

Masks required, age 2 and older

Inpatient location	Who needs a mask	Why
Adult and pediatric emergency rooms and emergency waiting areas	All patients, visitors and staff	Patients/visitors may not yet have been screened Patients may be immunocompromised or high risk Open environment
Adult and pediatric cancer units (14K, 13K, 10S)	All patients, visitors and staff	Patients are immunocompromised or high risk
Adult and pediatric intensive care units*	All patients, visitors and staff	Patients are immunocompromised or high risk
Adult inpatient dialysis unit	All patients, visitors and staff	Patients are high risk Open environment
Inpatient units and inpatient care areas, when entering a patient room or in direct patient care	All staff	Lowers risk of transmission to patients
Ambulatory location	Who needs a mask	Why
Certain adult and pediatric cancer and infusion areas, as determined by ambulatory leadership	All patients, visitors and staff	Patients are immunocompromised or high risk Open environment
Other location	Who needs a mask	Why
All settings, upon patient request	All staff	Respect for patients, family members and caregivers
All settings	Anyone with symptoms of COVID-19 or another respiratory infection (runny nose, cough, sneeze, etc.)**	CDC recommendations Required per COVID Illness Exclusion and Return to Work guidelines
Any unit or area experiencing a SARS-CoV-2 outbreak (3 or more people from one department and ≥ 6% of the department, per OHSU Occupational Health)	All patients, visitors and staff	CDC recommendations
All settings, for 10 days after exposure to someone with a SARS-CoV-2 infection	Any patient or visitor who has had close contact Any health care professional who has had a high-risk exposure	CDC recommendations
All settings on OHSU-owned or controlled property	OHSU members working on campus with approved medical or religious exceptions to vaccination, who have not received a full COVID-19 vaccine series	COVID-19 Immunizations and Education policy

* Cardiovascular ICU; Medical ICU; Trauma Surgical ICU; Neuroscience ICU; Pediatric ICU; Neonatal ICU

** Patients with symptoms of respiratory infection should be placed in a single room in transmission-based isolation precautions as soon as possible. Visitors with these symptoms should not be on premises until symptoms resolve. Staff with these symptoms should follow the COVID Illness Exclusion and Return to Work guidelines.

OHSU understands that the issue of wearing masks in health care can be confusing and sometimes divisive. These expectations are rooted in keeping all OHSU patients, employees, learners and visitors as safe as possible.