Face Mask Policy for UF Health Facilities

Generally speaking, face masks are not required in UF Health facilities. However, to ensure the health and safety of our patients, visitors and employees, properly worn face masks will be required under special circumstances.

This policy applies to all employees, volunteers, students, professional and allied staff, medical staff, patients and visitors 2 years of age and older. Face masks and other personal protective equipment, or PPE, recommendations and/or requirements may be reviewed and reassessed with national and state standards, and state and federal laws, rules, requirements and regulations in the event of a community outbreak.

The standards and protocols in this policy will govern in the event UF Health encourages or requires the use of face masks at any of its locations. Unless otherwise noted, all other UF Health policies, procedures and guidance that encourage or require the use of face masks are subject to the standards, protocols and provisions herein.

This policy does not apply to the use of PPE that are recommended and/or required for chemical or physical hazards.

For patients

Patients may be required to wear a face mask in the common areas of a UF Health hospital or other UF Health location if the patient is exhibiting signs or symptoms of or has a diagnosed infectious disease that can be spread through droplet or airborne transmission.

A patient is any person receiving treatment, care or other services from UF Health or any UF Health owned or affiliated subsidiary at any UF Health location.

For visitors

Visitors may be required to wear a face mask in a UF Health hospital or other UF Health location if the visitor is:

• Exhibiting signs or symptoms of or has a diagnosed infectious disease that can be spread through droplet or airborne transmission;

• In any sterile area of UF Health, including where surgeries or procedures that require aseptic techniques are performed;

• In an in-patient or clinical room with a patient who is exhibiting signs or symptoms of or has a diagnosed infectious disease that can be spread through droplet or airborne transmission; or

• Visiting a patient (i) whose treating health care provider has diagnosed the patient with or confirmed a condition affecting the immune system in a manner which is known to increase the risk of transmission of an infection to the patient from others without signs or symptoms of infection; and (ii) whose treating provider has determined that the use of a face mask is necessary for the patient’s safety.

For employees

Employees should avoid entering the facility if they are sick. Employees who are sick should contact their immediate supervisor and Occupational Health Services. Employees will be required to wear an FDA-certified medical/surgical mask (ASTM F2100) or NIOSH-approved respirator if they ARE:

1. Conducting sterile procedures
2. Working in a sterile area
3. Working with a patient whose treating health care practitioner has diagnosed the patient with or confirmed a condition affecting the immune system in a manner which is known to increase risk of transmission of an infection from employees without signs or symptoms of infection to a patient and whose treating practitioner has determined that the use of facial coverings is necessary for the patient’s safety
4. With a patient on droplet or airborne isolation
5. Engaging in non-clinical potentially hazardous activities that require face masks to prevent physical injury or harm in accordance with industry standards

Opt-out procedures

In the event that UF Health encourages or requires the use of face masks at any of its locations, employees, patients and visitors may opt-out from wearing face masks as follows:

• If an alternative method of infection control is available, patients and visitors may opt-out of any existing face mask requirements by notifying a provider, and such request will be reviewed consistent with UF Health’s infection control procedures.
• Employees may request to opt out of any face mask requirements by notifying their immediate supervisor, and such requests will be reviewed by UF Health’s Infection Control team.

Notwithstanding the opt-out provisions listed, in the event that UF Health requires the use of face masks at any of its locations, the following exclusions shall apply:

• If there are no alternative methods of infection control or infectious disease prevention, a PATIENT may not opt-out of any face mask requirements in the following circumstances:
  • A patient has been diagnosed or is exhibiting signs or symptoms of an infectious disease that can be spread through droplet or airborne transmission;
  • Opting out has been identified by a provider as being medically or programmatically contraindicated for medical, safety or programmatic issues; or
  • Opting out would otherwise infringe on the rights and would risk the safety or health of other patients, individuals or staff/employees of UF Health.
• If there are no alternative methods of infection control or infectious disease prevention, a VISITOR may not opt-out of any face mask requirements in the following circumstances:
  • The visitor has been diagnosed or is exhibiting signs or symptoms of an infectious disease that can be spread through droplet or airborne transmission;
  • Opting out would otherwise infringe on the rights and would risk the safety or health of other patients, individuals or staff/employees of UF Health; or
  • There are no alternative methods of infection control or infectious disease prevention.
• An EMPLOYEE may not opt-out of any face mask requirements if the employee is:
  • Conducting a sterile procedure, including aseptic procedures or surgeries, that call for practices that minimize the risk of microbial contamination to reduce the rate of invasive or surgical site infection;
  • Caring for a patient or being present while sterile procedures are being performed, including aseptic procedures or surgeries;
  • Working in a sterile area of any UF Health Location, including where surgeries or procedures that require aseptic techniques are performed;
  • With a patient who is on droplet or airborne isolation;
  • Working with a patient whose treating health care provider has diagnosed the patient with or confirmed a condition affecting the immune system in a manner which is known to increase the risk of transmission of an infection to the patient from others without signs or symptoms of infection; and (ii) whose treating provider has determined that the use of a face mask is necessary for the patient’s safety; or
  • Engaging in potentially hazardous activities that require a face mask to prevent infection, injury or harm in accordance with national, state and industry standards, and state and federal laws, rules, requirements and regulations.
• UF Health reserves the right to consider other exclusions from the opt-out provisions in order to comply with applicable state and federal laws, rules, requirements and regulations.