Campus Reopening: What happens when an employee is denied entry?

Updated February 8, 2021

The reopening stage of the current pandemic has arrived, and companies are starting to cautiously open their doors to welcome employees back to campus. The importance of screening employees before they enter buildings is evident, and because each employer and workforce is unique, there are several screening options employers can choose to implement. Options include temperature screening, online screening questionnaires, or even thermal imaging. However, for each strategy there is the looming possibility that an employee may “fail” the screening by:

• Having an elevated temperature during a mass entry screening;
• Answering yes to any questions on an online screening questionnaire; or
• Entering a thermal imaging scan and having an elevated temperature detected

Regardless of how you’re screening your employees when they return to campus, there’s no avoiding the inevitable: one or even several of your employees will likely be denied entry due to suspected symptoms of the coronavirus. But the biggest question many employers are currently facing is – what happens next?

A Seamless Process at Premise

While each screening strategy is different, the procedures and next steps following denied entry are the same, providing consistency for both the employer and employees. Throughout the process below, employees may encounter multiple providers, but care is always coordinated between anyone that works with them, creating a seamless, easy experience during a difficult and scary situation.

1. As soon as an employee is denied access to their workplace, they’ll be sent home and instructed to contact their provider to schedule a virtual visit.
2. The provider will evaluate the member for COVID-19 symptoms and determine if they need to be tested. If testing is needed, they’ll recommend how to get a test done and help coordinate any logistics for the member.
   • If the member is not suspected or confirmed for the coronavirus, the provider will conduct a virtual return-to-work evaluation and clear the member to return to the workplace the next day, providing a clearance letter if the employee needs to present one.
     
   • If the member is suspected or confirmed for the coronavirus, the provider will refer them to a care support team, who will provide ongoing symptom management and daily check-ins for the duration of their illness. These check ins may be the only time an isolated member speaks with someone on a day-to-day basis, and that connection can have a positive impact on their physical, mental, and emotional health.
3. Throughout their isolation, if the member’s symptoms begin to worsen and they need follow-up care, the care support team will refer them back to their initial provider.
4. If the member recovers after isolating and their employer’s return-to-work policy allows, the care support team will conduct a virtual evaluation and clear the member to safely return to the workplace, providing a clearance letter if required by their employer.

Premise Health is committed to providing a seamless experience through our screening, testing, and care navigation products. As the COVID-19 outbreak evolves, our teams can play a critical role in providing continued support and access to high-quality healthcare. By providing care virtually, and in-person when needed, direct primary care reduces the burden on the healthcare system and allows people to stay home and safe even when care is still needed.

The COVID-19 pandemic is a rapidly changing and fluid situation, and our products are continually evolving to adapt. From screening and testing to response and return to work, we can help your organization strategically navigate this unprecedented and challenging time.

Contact Us

• If you are a Premise Health member with questions, call your health center.
• If you are a Premise Health client with questions, please contact your director of client operations.
• For media inquiries, please contact [email protected].