Tuesday May 12

Our Cleaning Protocols Help Keep Caregivers Patients Safe As We Resume Services

As Cleveland Clinic continues to resume services — outpatient appointments, surgeries and procedures that were paused due to COVID-19 — the safety of our caregivers and patients will always remain our top priority.

Extensive cleaning of our facilities will continue and expand.

At our Ohio locations, Environmental Services (EVS) and our cleaning vendors will expand their daily cleaning and disinfection procedures to include work stations, shared spaces, conference rooms, reception desks, dining and seating areas, stairwell handrails, doors and elevators. All common space areas will be sanitized more frequently. Magazines, newspapers, posters and temporary signage will be removed during daily cleaning.

How you can help

We ask that all caregivers at our Ohio locations maintain cleanliness of their work spaces, both their own and those they share with others. Please do the following:

• Clinical areas: Clean your own equipment, WOW’s, reception desk areas, work station/desk and all computer accessories (monitor, keyboard, mouse) with an EPA-approved disinfectant.
  • Order EPA-approved disinfectants by working with your site manager or inventory coordinator.
• Non clinical areas: Clean work stations, conference rooms and break areas (including any computer and phone accessories) after each use with any disinfecting wipes, including those purchased outside of Supply Chain.*
  • Order EPA-approved disinfectants by calling Service Express at 216.444.2754.

*Note: Clorox products are approved for non-clinical areas only.

Art Auction to Benefit COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund and VeloSano, May 18-24

Cleveland Clinic’s contemporary art collection enriches and inspires patients, caregivers and the community. Artworks will be auctioned May 18-24 with 100% of the proceeds donated to VeloSano and the COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund.

Just as Cleveland Clinic healing environments have changed and grown over the years, the art collection has also evolved, leaving many beautiful artworks that are ready for a new life in your home.

Including nearly 200 paintings, photographs, prints and posters ranging from $20-$750 and featuring landscapes, flowers, animals, boats, still lifes, abstract works and more in a variety of sizes, the auction offers something for everyone.

To register for the auction, text CCFArtAuction to 76278.

Click here to view the event flyer.  

For more information, contact ccartprogram@ccf.org.

Kawasaki Disease Cases at Our Hospitals Follow Trends of Previous Seasons

Fellow caregivers, your patients and their families may have heard about a growing number of Kawasaki disease or Kawasaki-like disease cases affecting young patients with COVID-19 at hospitals across the U.S.  Kawasaki disease causes inflammation in blood vessels throughout the body and most often affects children younger than five years old.

It is important we stay informed of these trends and their impact on our hospitals so we can share accurate and relevant information with our patients and their families.

Below is Cleveland Clinic Children’s statement on Kawasaki disease and Kawasaki-like disease, effective Monday, May 11:

“We have seen a few patients with Kawasaki disease and Kawasaki-like disease at Cleveland Clinic Children’s. This is on trend with what we typically see during the winter season. It’s important to know that these cases have not tested positive for COVID-19. To maintain the privacy of the individuals involved, we will not be disclosing health information.”

Thank you for maintaining the safety of our patients and their families.

Hand Sanitation Products Added to EPA-Approved Disinfectants List

Infection Prevention has revised our list of EPA-approved disinfectants for use against COVID-19 to include hand sanitation products. Access the list under the “Additional Resources” tab in the COVID-19 toolkit.

All products listed are approved for use against COVID-19 in clinical and non-clinical settings at all Ohio locations.

Refer to the EPA-approved disinfectants list to confirm the disinfectant products you intend to use are approved for use at this time. Contact your local infection preventionist with questions about specific products and whether they are approved.

To order* an EPA-approved disinfectant for your workspace:

• Clinical areas: Work with your site manager or inventory coordinator.
• Non-clinical areas:  Call Service Express at 216.444.2754.

*Note: Limited quantities may be available, so please order minimum required amounts. Some products may be prioritized for clinical areas if availability is limited.

Daily CEO Update | Caregivers tell stories from New York and Michigan

Fellow Caregivers,

Our healthcare community is more unified than ever before. We are all working together in support of public health.

Last month, dozens of caregivers traveled to New York and Michigan. They assisted our colleagues at other health systems who experienced a surge of patients.

Kelly Hancock, Executive Chief Nursing Officer, and I recently spoke with some of these heroes. Watch our discussion in the video above.

Their stories reaffirm how our work is truly a calling. We are humbled by their bravery.

Thank you all for answering the call to serve.

Tom Mihaljevic, MD
CEO and President