UCSF Research at ZSFG during COVID-19

August 12, 2021 - Updated Meeting Guidelines for ZSFG

August 11, 2021 - Updates to Visitation (Guidelines, FAQS, Memo) 

April 23, 2021 - All UCSF employees are now required to receive or decline the COVID-19 vaccination by June 30, 2021, in accordance with an interim policy issued by the University of California Office of the President. Submit/Complete on the New OHS portal: ohsportal.ucsfmedicalcenter.org (MyAccess/VPN required).

April 29, 2021 - In alignment with CDPH and CDC guidelines, staff screening at ZSFG will no longer include a temperature check.

March 5, 2021 - Category 3 clinical research density will increase from 25% to 50% on Monday, March 8, 2021.

January 28, 2021 - Category 3 clinical research density will increase from 12.5% to 25% on Monday, February 1, 2021.

January 22, 2021 - Allowable laboratory research density will increase to 50% on Monday, January 25, 2021. On-site Category 3 clinical research will remain at 12.5% density.

January 6, 2021 - Effective January 14th, staff screening at ZSFG is transitioning to online screening only.

December 31, 2020 - ZSFG Return to Work Guidance has been updated:

• Employees who return from international travel are mandated to quarantine for 10 days with testing offered between day 5-9 from date of return.
• Emloyees who return from domestic travel outside of the Bay area may continue to work if asymptomatic but are strongly recommended to quarantine for 10 days. Testing may be offered to those with significant risk of domestic travel-related exposure.
• Although there is no explicit statement on HR/leave guidance in the linked document, OHS will counsel employees to contact managers/supervisors regarding travel-related leave. We understand it that travel-related time off will not be considered covid leave, but personal/vacation time.

December 29, 2020 - The Chancellor’s Executive Team (CET) has approved an extension of the current decreased research density levels until 12:01 a.m. on January 19, at which point it will be reassessed and may be extended.

As announced on December 18, the current densities (effective December 24, 2020, and now extended until January 19, 2021) are:

1. Laboratory research density at 25%. LARC operations will continue unabated, and there is no need to reduce animal census.
2. Clinical research that is not essential to the health of the participant (termed Category 3 research) at 12.5%. It is strongly recommended that research-only onsite visits (i.e., conducted without a concomitant clinical visit) be postponed. COVID-19 clinical research and clinical research determined to be essential to the health and/or well-being of the participant can continue without density restriction.

December 9, 2020 - ZSFG Return to Work Guidance has been updated:

• Quarantine period after community household exposure and high-risk work exposure is shortened to 10 days (previously 14 days), with testing offered at 7-9 days after exposure (previously 5-7 days)
• After return from international travel, self-quarantine is recommended but not required. (If employees make the decision to travel, the time used to self-quarantine does not qualify for COVID leave- per HR).

Please note that gatherings outside of the county or state are not exempt from guidance. Any gathering regardless of location is not currently recommended.
Individuals returning from travel involving gatherings do not need to self quarantine unless they are symptomatic, or have known exposure to someone who is positive or suspected to have COVID-19.

November 2, 2020 - The UCSF Office of Research is strongly encouraging all Clinical Research Coordinators to complete a new online training course, Clinical Research During COVID-19, before the end of November. The brief course is hosted on the UC Learning platform and takes approximately 15 minutes to complete. Additional details including instructions for how to access the course are posted on the Office of Research website.

October 7, 2020 - ZSFG Return to Work Guidance has been updated to clarify:

• circumstances in which employees with household members that have unconfirmed yet high likelihood for having COVID-19 may be quarantined out of work by ZSFG OHS (footnote at the end of Table 4).
• ZSFG and UCSF have slight differences in return to work guidelines. At ZSFG, employees with high risk exposures will be quarantined for 14 days. In other exposure cases, as long as an individual is asymptomatic, they may continue to work. This difference is allowed under CDC staffing shortage mitigation plan.
  UCSF employees working at ZSFG will only need to follow ZSFG guidance, but when working at another UCSF location they will need to follow UCSF guidance requiring 14-day quarantine and symptom monitoring for both high and medium risk exposures.
• ZSFG OHS will cc [email protected] representatives with communications on return to work letters. These letters do not contain specific health information, and primarily serve to notify HR departments on expected off work/return to work dates.

September 15, 2020 - Phase 3 of increased onsite research will begin on September 17. Laboratory-based research allowable density will increase to 50% density, or the equivalent of one person per two workstations, and the allowable density for onsite Category 3 clinical research will increase to 25%.

June 26, 2020 - Updated guidance for clinical research, including a Return to Work Checklist with useful information and links for general considerations and research participants.

June 4, 2020 - Phase 2 of the laboratory-based research reopening will begin on June 8th, in which the allowable density will increase to 25% capacity, or about one person per four workstations.

May 14, 2020 - Guidance for Phase 1 of the Planning for Gradual Increase of UCSF Research Activity.

Now that California has officially reopened, ZSFG is adopting SFDPH's "Safer Return Together" guidance; starting Tuesday, June 22nd, at 12:00PM, staff no longer need to show verification of completed screening and screening stickers will no longer be provided.

To keep everyone safe, please continue to:

1. Self-monitor your symptoms before coming to work. To do so, refer to the Stay Home When Sick Flyer.
2. Wear your mask, even if you're vaccinated.
3. Vaccinate - if you have not been vaccinated, please email [email protected] to schedule an appointment.
4. Staff are now able to enter through the Building 5 South Lobby. Your ID Badge must be visible to enter.

For more information, please read the Staff Screening Changes.

Staff no longer need to show verification of completed screening and screening stickers will no longer be provided. Please self-monitor your symptoms before coming to work. To do so, refer to the Stay Home When Sick Flyer. If you have any of the symptoms listed or test positive for COVID-19, stay home AND call OHS at 628-206-4100 or scan the QR code in the symptoms checklist document for assistance.

Staff no longer need to show verification of completed screening and screening stickers will no longer be provided. Please self-monitor your symptoms before coming to work. To do so, refer to the Stay Home When Sick Flyer. If you have any of the symptoms listed or test positive for COVID-19, stay home AND call OHS at 628-206-4100 or scan the QR code in the symptoms checklist document for assistance.

Effective October 1, 2021, anyone entering ZSFG Campus will need to be fully vaccinated with exception of patients and outpatient visitors. This includes vendors and service technicians working on lab equipment. If you work with outside vendors, agencies, organizations or receive deliveries, the representative will need to be fully vaccinated and must enter through Building 25 lobby or Building 5 Loading dock.

Details of this policy are provided in the ZSFG Supplier/Vendor COVID-10 Vaccination Requirement memo issued September 22, 2021. Acceptable documentation for a vendor representative to enter ZSFG includes either 1) a Vendormate badge; or 2) a yellow ZSFG Contractor badge with a vaccination confirmation sticker provided by ZSFG.

As an alternative, a vendor representative can enter the Building 25 lobby wearing a badge issued by their own company and present proof of vaccination to the screener. They would then be allowed to enter the building and proceed to the vaccine clinic on the 2nd floor of Building 5, which is open on Monday to Friday from 7:30 AM to 4 PM. At the vaccine clinic, they can present proof of vaccination again to obtain COVID-19 vaccination stickers (COVID 1 and COVID 2, and if applicable COVID 3) which they can place on their company badge as evidence of vaccination.

Even if they have tested negative for COVID-19, employees who have symptoms of upper respiratory illness should not come to work. If an employee working at ZSFG has a positive COVID-19 test result, clearance for return to work must be obtained from ZSFG Occupational Health. Details of return to work requirements are provided in the ZSFG Interim Guidance for Employees Working on Campus. Note that return to work guidance for those with a suspected or confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis varies depending on the severity of illness and on the individual’s immune status. UCSF employees must also comply with UCSF Continue To Work - Return To Work Guidelines For Staff. Call the UCSF COVID Hotline (415-514-7328) for testing and evaluation and refer to the guidelines for additional requirements.

According to ZSFG policy for Acceptable Face Coverings and Universal Masking Guidance, staff and providers are required to wear masks all day when at work. Isolation masks are the only approved masks to be worn in clinical areas where patients or the public are served. Clinical areas include: Buildings 25, 5, 9, 4, 100 (Outpatient Dialysis only), 80, 90, 10 (Billing Office only), CHN (HR staff who meet with the public - new hires).

Staff can choose to wear cloth masks in non-clinical areas. Non-hospital use respirators should not be worn at ZSFG as a part of universal masking. N95 masks with a valve are not allowed as a face covering at ZSFG.

DPH will provide staff at ZSFG with one isolation mask per day, if needed. These masks can be obtained at designated building entrances (Building 25 Lobby, Building 5 Outpatient Lobby, or Building 80/90).

During the research shutdown period, additional hand sanitizer dispensers were placed near entrances to labs and in other key locations. Requests for additional dispensers should be directed to Peter Zhang in the ZSFG Vice Dean’s Office: 628-206-8076.

ZSFG badges do not have time restrictions and should be active around the clock.

The Sheriff’s Patrol Unit of the City and County of San Francisco is responsible for general law enforcement services at ZSFG and supports security 24 hours a day. In compliance with COVID-19 Health Orders, DPH has designated specific entrances for staff and patient access to Buildings 5 and 25. Entrances to other campus buildings, including those housing UCSF research groups, are currently kept locked and closed to the public. Security at ZSFG is consistently monitored and specific areas of concern should be brought to the ZSFG Vice Dean’s office so they can be addressed. In a situation where a crime is being committed or you feel unsafe, dial the emergency number for the Sheriff’s Department at 628-206-4911 or call 911.

The clinical and non-clinical spaces at ZSFG are maintained by separate teams of custodians. Custodians working for UCSF clean the research labs and associated administrative spaces in Buildings 1, 9, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 100, and on floors 1, 5 and 6 of Building 3. Other spaces on campus are cleaned by the ZSFG EVS team, who do not clean UCSF’s research-related spaces at ZSFG.

In the spaces cleaned by custodians working for UCSF (listed above), staff use disposable wipes and disinfectant to prevent spread of contamination.

Questions about custodial services for non-clinical spaces at ZSFG should be directed to [email protected] or 415-476-2021. You may also submit a service request at the UCSF Custodial Services website.

Laboratory and office spaces at ZSFG are supplied with 100 percent outside air through supply air ducts and operable windows. No spaces use recirculated air. It is still essential to adhere to social distancing guidelines because this airflow does not provide complete protection.  For additional questions about your specific space please contact Peter Zhang in the ZSFG Vice Dean’s Office: 628-206-8076.

Parking and transportation options are detailed at the DPH Employee Transportation page and the UCSF Transportation & Wayfinding page for ZSFG. Parking options include the San Bruno Offsite Lot monthly parking permits. Transportation options include opportunities for ridesharing, carpool & vanpool, onsite bike storage and support, emergency ride home programs, and pre-tax payment arrangements for public transit.

Campus Life Services and Facilities Services have installed COVID-19 building signage at some campus sites but are unable to provide this service at our City-owned locations.

Per the Guidance for Onsite Laboratory Research Activities and the Guidance for Onsite Clinical Research Activities, when physical distancing is not possible (lab or office spaces with corridors less than 6 feet wide), seek an alternate route whenever possible. The guidance acknowledges that some complex experiments, as well as the training of new lab members, require teamwork between at least two lab members. These interactions are allowed when necessary, but should be minimized whenever possible. Physical distancing of 6 feet must be employed whenever possible.

Effective January 3, 2022, UCSF has temporarily reinstituted a hold on Category 3 on-site clinical research. Before restarting in-person research at ZSFG please first discuss and get approval from leadership of clinical units (including both the Medical Director and the Nurse Manager). This will help to ensure that the research will not interfere with essential clinical activities, workflows, and/or physical space density limits.

On June 26th, 2020 the Office of Research issued updated guidance for clinical research, including a Return to Work Checklist with useful information and links for general considerations and research participants.

Per the Guidance for Onsite Clinical Research Activities, clinical research that involves procedures that induce cough, sneezing or otherwise increase risk of aerosolization must be conducted with approved and proper infection control procedures, and these research participants must undergo COVID-19 RT-PCR testing prior to the research visit. Research subjects at ZSFG may be able to access testing from their primary care provider, or through other resources including city-run testing sites for those who work or live in the City and County of San Francisco. Any costs associated with testing may need to be supported by the research study.

Research participants are subject to visitation guidelines (see also FAQs and memo), which include information about positive screening results. These individuals may also be directed to the COVID-19 page on the DPH Disease Prevention and Control website for additional guidance.

PPE requirements in clinical areas at ZSFG depend on the exact circumstances involved, including whether researchers are seeing patients face-to-face. In general, researchers in clinical areas who are not in direct contact with patients will wear an isolation mask. This information from the Office of Research Guidance for Onsite Clinical Research Activities may also apply:

Clinical research performed in clinical care locations (i.e., health system buildings) brings additional complexities due to concomitant clinical care reopening activities and the need to protect the health system workforce and health system capacity for future clinical care ramp-up. Because of this, clinical research performed in clinical care locations should only be restarted after the research activities have been discussed with the leadership of the clinical units on which the research will be conducted (e.g., ICU, hospital ward, ED, clinic) to ensure they will not interfere with essential clinical activities and/or workflows and will not complicate population density management by the health system.

When interviewing asymptomatic subjects, the interviewer and the research subject must both wear isolation masks.

Per the Campus Approval Process detailed in the Protocol for Working Onsite information provided as part of UCSF’s Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resources, “Campus administrative department heads (control points) may approve requests for teams of fewer than 10 people, or an increase to a group that is already operating onsite. But approval from the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is necessary before returning teams of 10 or more people.” Refer to the full protocol for details, and contact your department to determine whether they require notification before allowing their labs to return to the ZSFG campus.

Departmental Safety Advisors (DSAs) with the Office of Environment, Health and Safety (EH&S) are performing periodic inspections of UCSF laboratory research spaces at ZSFG to assess compliance in areas like physical distancing, use of face coverings, proper use of PPE, maintaining safe behaviors, completion of daily health screening, and completion of COVID-19 and Working Onsite at UCSF training.

Effective October 1, 2021, anyone entering ZSFG Campus will need to be fully vaccinated with exception of patients and outpatient visitors. This includes vendors and service technicians working on lab equipment. If you work with outside vendors, agencies, organizations or receive deliveries, the representative will need to be fully vaccinated and must enter through Building 25 lobby or Building 5 Loading dock.

Details of this policy are provided in the ZSFG Supplier/Vendor COVID-10 Vaccination Requirement memo issued September 22, 2021. Acceptable documentation for a vendor representative to enter ZSFG includes either 1) a Vendormate badge; or 2) a yellow ZSFG Contractor badge with a vaccination confirmation sticker provided by ZSFG.

As an alternative, a vendor representative can enter the Building 25 lobby wearing a badge issued by their own company and present proof of vaccination to the screener. They would then be allowed to enter the building and proceed to the vaccine clinic on the 2nd floor of Building 5, which is open on Monday to Friday from 7:30 AM to 4 PM. At the vaccine clinic, they can present proof of vaccination again to obtain COVID-19 vaccination stickers (COVID 1 and COVID 2, and if applicable COVID 3) which they can place on their company badge as evidence of vaccination.

For questions about the ZSFG-specific policy, please email [email protected].
For questions about the UCSF policy, please email [email protected].