COVID-19 and Respiratory Virus Response Tools

Welcome to the COVID-19 and respiratory virus response page for Fred Hutch providers and staff. This page includes guidelines and other tools to use in caring for Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center patients. The information presented in the documents is subject to change pending guidance from the CDC, WHO and/or Public Health – Seattle & King County. If you are a non-Fred Hutch provider and would like to use any content on the page, please request permission by emailing contactus@seattlecca.org.

Response tools

COVID antiviral therapy provider resources
Updated November 29, 2022
Influenza treatment guidance
[NEW] Added December 13, 2022
Patient education
Updated February 10, 2022
Personal protective equipment resources
Updated January 18, 2022

Additional mask option available (updated January 18, 2022)

Located at entry points are a variety of protective masks from which you may choose. If wearing a medical-grade mask from home, SCCA cannot guarantee your protection from splash or spray. Change into a Level 3 procedure mask, or don one over your mask from home.

The BYD N95 respirator mask may provide a better fit for some and be more comfortable to wear for long periods of time. Having the best fit for your mask is important to protecting yourself and our patients.

The BYD N95 respirator is NOT an alternative to fitted respirators required for airborne or aerosol precautions. Before using any respirator provided by SCCA, you must complete the “SCCA 2022 Respiratory Protection Training” module in the SCCA LMS. N95 respirators worn while seeing patients in Airborne or Aerosol precautions must also be fit-tested.

For adequate fluid barrier protection, an ASTM Level 3 mask must be worn over the BYD N95 respirator mask when splash/spray risk exists.  

If you choose to provide your own respirator, please refer to SCCA’s policy for that guidance.

Masks

Donning and Doffing Mask Instructions (PDF)

Extended Mask Use Video

How to safely put on, take off and reapply a mask (PDF)

Mask messaging for staff to use with patients, updated 4/26/20 (PDF)

Donning and doffing video instructions

Airborne/Contact Precautions Video – Gown, gloves, N-95, face shield 

Airborne/Contact Precautions Video – Gown, gloves, PAPR

Donning and Doffing Videos (PDF)

Droplet Precautions Video – Gown, gloves, mask with attached face shield

​​Employee health information

COVID exposures, symptom screening, testing, and other information

How to fit test your mask
Updated January 18, 2022

Fit-testing requirements include completing the annual Respiratory Protection Module, completing a medical evaluation once every three years and completing fit testing. 

Learn More

Did you test positive for COVID-19?
Updated January 20, 2022
Are you a symptomatic employee/provider?
Updated January 20, 2022

If you are experiencing COVID-like symptoms, you must stay home and complete the COVID-19 Symptom Screening Survey below:

Screening Checking for disease when there are no symptoms. Because screening may find diseases at an early stage, there may be a better chance of curing the disease Checking for disease when there are no symptoms. Because screening may find diseases at an early stage, there may be a better chance of curing the disease. Examples of cancer screening tests are the mammogram (for breast cancer), colonoscopy (for colon cancer) and Pap and HPV tests (for cervical cancer). Screening can also include a genetic test to check for a person’s risk of developing an inherited disease. Symptom A physical or mental problem that a person experiences that may indicate a disease or condition. Symptoms cannot be seen and do not show up on medical tests. A physical or mental problem that a person experiences that may indicate a disease or condition. Symptoms cannot be seen and do not show up on medical tests. Some examples of symptoms are headache, fatigue, nausea and pain. Symptom A physical or mental problem that a person experiences that may indicate a disease or condition. Symptoms cannot be seen and do not show up on medical tests. A physical or mental problem that a person experiences that may indicate a disease or condition. Symptoms cannot be seen and do not show up on medical tests. Some examples of symptoms are headache, fatigue, nausea and pain.
Do you have a confirmed exposure to a COVID positive individual?

If you have a known exposure to someone who is COVID positive, complete the COVID-19 Screening Survey below. Depending on the risk level of that exposure you may be required to stay home from work.

  • ​COVID-19 screening survey - you will be contacted by a nurse to discuss your exposure, determine if quarantine or testing are required, and review next steps with you.

Please read Employee Exposure Guidance for COVID-19 to help answer any immediate questions you may have.

Screening Checking for disease when there are no symptoms. Because screening may find diseases at an early stage, there may be a better chance of curing the disease Checking for disease when there are no symptoms. Because screening may find diseases at an early stage, there may be a better chance of curing the disease. Examples of cancer screening tests are the mammogram (for breast cancer), colonoscopy (for colon cancer) and Pap and HPV tests (for cervical cancer). Screening can also include a genetic test to check for a person’s risk of developing an inherited disease.
Do you have questions about a potential community, household or occupational exposure to COVID?

First, please refer to Employee Exposure Guidance for COVID-19 to help answer any immediate questions you may have. This policy is applicable to SCCA employees and providers.

You can also contact our clinic during business hours (8am to 4pm M-F) at (206) 606-2500 or email us at employeehealth@seattlecca.org. 

Do you have questions outside our normal business hours of Monday - Friday 8am to 4pm?
  • Monday-Friday, SCCA Employee Health will respond to your message/survey as soon as we can the following day
  • Weekend or Holidays, resources are a bit slim right now, but we will have someone available in the near future. For now, simply leave a voicemail on our main line (206) 606-2500 or send an email to employeehealth@seattlecca.org and someone will get back to you as soon as possible
  • In the case of an emergency, you can also page Infection Prevention at (206) 559-1059

SCCA provided COVID-19 rapid antigen tests FAQ

Beginning on Monday, January 24th, SCCA Employee Health has started sending rapid COVID-19 antigen tests to staff who meet the following criteria:

  • Tested positive for COVID-19 January 23rd or later
  • AND are essential on-campus staff
  • AND have informed Employee Health of their Positive Test (if tested in the community/outside of SCCA)

The purpose of these rapid COVID-19 antigen tests is to shorten the time that positive staff must stay home from work. A positive staff member may take a COVID-19 rapid antigen test on the 5th day after their symptoms start. If this rapid antigen test is negative and the employee's symptoms have significantly improved, they may return to in-person work on day 6. 

Antigen A foreign substance, such as bacteria, that causes the body’s immune system to respond by making antibodies. Antibodies defend the body against antigens. Symptom A physical or mental problem that a person experiences that may indicate a disease or condition. Symptoms cannot be seen and do not show up on medical tests. A physical or mental problem that a person experiences that may indicate a disease or condition. Symptoms cannot be seen and do not show up on medical tests. Some examples of symptoms are headache, fatigue, nausea and pain.
I'm a COVID-19 positive SCCA employee – can I pick up a rapid antigen test from Employee Health instead of waiting for you to mail it? Can I take the rapid antigen test on-site?

No. Rapid antigen tests are only being mailed to staff who tested positive after January 23rd and have a role that is considered essential (i.e., you cannot work from home). Employee Health will be conducting no on-site rapid antigen testing. Do not show up at the Employee Health clinic and ask for a test, you will be turned away.

Antigen A foreign substance, such as bacteria, that causes the body’s immune system to respond by making antibodies. Antibodies defend the body against antigens.
I'm a COVID-19 positive SCCA employee – why haven't I received a rapid antigen test?

If you have tested positive before January 23rd, we did not have a supply of rapid COVID-19 antigen test kits to send out.

Antigen A foreign substance, such as bacteria, that causes the body’s immune system to respond by making antibodies. Antibodies defend the body against antigens.
I'm a COVID-19 positive SCCA employee and tested through SCCA– will I receive a rapid antigen test?

If you have tested positive after January 23rd and have a role that is considered essential (i.e., you cannot work from home) Employee Health will be mailing you a test via Fedex 2-day shipping. There is no need to request a test kit directly from Employee Health.

I'm a COVID-19 positive SCCA employee – can I use my own rapid antigen test to see if I can return to work on the 6th day after my symptoms start?

COVID-19 positive employees may utilize their own FDA-approved rapid antigen tests to return to work accordance with the contingency Return to Work Guidelines available on PolicyStat. The employee must report the results of this testing to their manager.

I'm an SCCA employee and I used my own rapid antigen test. Will SCCA Employee Health replace it?

SCCA Employee Health will only replace rapid antigen tests if all the following criteria are met:

  • The SCCA staff member tested positive for COVID-19 with a PCR test
  • AND the SCCA staff member used the rapid test on the 5th and/or 7th day post-symptom start date in accordance with the contingency Return to Work Guidelines available on PolicyStat.
  • AND the rapid antigen test used is FDA-approved

To request a replacement test, please email employeehealth@seattlecca.org with the following information: name, phone number, location where you took your PCR test, date you took your PCR test, date your positive PCR result came back, the manufacturer of the rapid antigen test used, and the date(s) the rapid antigen test was used.

SCCA Employee Health cannot guarantee which type of rapid antigen test will be given as a replacement, as supply is limited and manufacturers may vary.

Antigen A foreign substance, such as bacteria, that causes the body’s immune system to respond by making antibodies. Antibodies defend the body against antigens. Polymerase chain reaction A laboratory method used to make many copies of a specific piece of DNA from a sample. It allows very small amounts of DNA to be amplified so they can be detected. A laboratory method used to make many copies of a specific piece of DNA from a sample that contains very tiny amounts of that DNA. Polymerase chain reaction allows these pieces of DNA to be amplified so they can be detected. Polymerase chain reaction may be used to look for certain changes in a gene or chromosome, which may help find and diagnose a genetic condition or a disease, such as cancer. It may also be used to look at pieces of the DNA of certain bacteria, viruses or other microorganisms to help diagnose an infection.
I'm a manager of a positive SCCA employee – how will I know when my employee can return to work?

It is the employee's responsibility to report the result of their COVID-19 rapid antigen test to their manager. We are trusting the employee to report the test results accurately to their manager and to return to on-site work as soon as they are safely able to.

Antigen A foreign substance, such as bacteria, that causes the body’s immune system to respond by making antibodies. Antibodies defend the body against antigens.
I'm a COVID-19 positive staff member/provider and tested through UW's Employee Health. Can I request a COVID-19 rapid antigen test through SCCA Employee Health?

Yes. Please send an email to employeehealth@seattleccca.org requesting a rapid antigen test. Please include the following information: your name, phone number, mailing address, location where you took your PCR test, date you took your PCR test, and your symptoms start date. 

Antigen A foreign substance, such as bacteria, that causes the body’s immune system to respond by making antibodies. Antibodies defend the body against antigens. Polymerase chain reaction A laboratory method used to make many copies of a specific piece of DNA from a sample. It allows very small amounts of DNA to be amplified so they can be detected. A laboratory method used to make many copies of a specific piece of DNA from a sample that contains very tiny amounts of that DNA. Polymerase chain reaction allows these pieces of DNA to be amplified so they can be detected. Polymerase chain reaction may be used to look for certain changes in a gene or chromosome, which may help find and diagnose a genetic condition or a disease, such as cancer. It may also be used to look at pieces of the DNA of certain bacteria, viruses or other microorganisms to help diagnose an infection. Symptom A physical or mental problem that a person experiences that may indicate a disease or condition. Symptoms cannot be seen and do not show up on medical tests. A physical or mental problem that a person experiences that may indicate a disease or condition. Symptoms cannot be seen and do not show up on medical tests. Some examples of symptoms are headache, fatigue, nausea and pain.

If you are a Fred Hutch, Seattle Children's or UW Medicine staff member with an SCCA account and cannot access SCCA's TogetherNet (SharePoint site), please follow these instructions.

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