Parkview Medical Center suspends weekly testing for vaccine-exempt health care workers
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- Parkview Medical Center says the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has suspended their twice-weekly testing requirement for health care workers who have been exempted from the COVID-19 vaccine.
Parkview, which is the largest health care system in Pueblo County, confirmed the update to KRDO Tuesday after we learned of the change from an email sent to employees.
The email reads:
"Changes were made to the state's vaccine mandate, the state removed the requirement that health facilities have a testing policy in place for vaccine-exempted employees. This along with the fact that the antigen testing supplies are depleting and in-demand nationwide we have made the decision to discontinue the twice-weekly testing for employees (and others) with an approved exemption for the COVID vaccine. Staff, volunteers, students, and others must still don appropriate PPE and social distance, as feasible. We will continue to monitor and follow required mandates and following required mandates and will reinstate our current policy if necessary."
In a statement to KRDO, Parkview Medical Center said, "CDPHE has eliminated the requirement of weekly testing for employees with valid exemptions. We are following their guidelines."
CDPHE confirmed this change has been made at the state level. In a statement they said, "the board removed the requirement that facilities have a testing plan in place for employees who have vaccine exemptions, but some facilities may opt to do that. Facilities are still required to follow guidelines for infection control, including proper use of personal protective equipment and physical distancing, and they are permitted to have more stringent testing requirements if they elect to do so."
CDPHE did not say if they change was made because of a health care workers shortage. However, local health leaders are aware of the need for workers.
"There has been tots of discussion at the state level and around the state in emergency rooms and hospitals about how we then go to this next faze if we are out of workers, out of testing and people really can't provide the level of care that they are used to and thats really called crisis standards of care," Pueblo Health Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Chris Urbina, said.
Parkview officials were not able to be reached on why there is a shortage of testing supply. According to Dr. Urbina, each hospital system in Colorado has their own supply of tests.
"Actually all the health care systems are procuring tests so we don't know exactly how many tests they have but generally when we hear from the hospitals or clinics, they have enough tests and are continuing to test their health care workers," Dr. Urbina said.
In the Pueblo community, health leaders say a shortage of tests, specifically antigen tests, is something they are experiencing.
"We are aware there is a shortage of rapid antigen tests in the community. The current Omicron surge has increased demand for tests across the country putting a strain on the current supply chain. PCR tests are still available at the Pueblo Mall and the Pueblo Fairgrounds. Testing is free and people can preregister to make the testing process faster on-site," Pueblo Health Director, Randy Evetts, said.
Overall, health leaders say health care workers are experiencing the same pandemic fatigue that many Americans are working through.
"From a capacity stand point, they are at that edge. From staffing they are similarly at that situation as other workers are and finally they are just tired. I feel for our colleagues," Dr. Urbina said.
The state vaccine mandate for health workers was renewed on December 15th, 2021. This renewal will run for 120 additional days.
It is unclear at this time if other hospital systems in Colorado are following the new testing procedures for vaccine exempt workers. We have not received a response back from Centura Health, the operator of 17 hospitals in Colorado.
