Sarasota Memorial Hospital updates vaccine policy, plans to comply with federal mandate despite new Florida laws
Despite looming fines from the state created under new laws approved this week, Sarasota Memorial Hospital plans to comply with a federal mandate to have its employees vaccinated.
"Under the new policy, all employees, members of the medical staff and volunteers of Sarasota Memorial Hospital-Sarasota, Sarasota Memorial Hospital-Venice, and any Sarasota Memorial outpatient facility must be fully vaccinated with either the two-dose COVID-19 vaccine (Moderna or Pfizer) or the single dose of the COVID-19 vaccine (Johnson & Johnson) by Jan. 4, 2022, unless they qualify for a medical or religious exemption provided by the federal mandate," Kim Savage, the hospital's public relations manager, said in an email.
All employees and medical staff were updated this week of SMH's intent to comply with the federal vaccine mandate and the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services rules that were unveiled this month.
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If the hospital violates those rules they could run the risk of being excluded from the Medicare and Medicaid programs.
While a federal Occupational Health and Safety Administration vaccine mandate targeted at companies employing more than 100 employees has been blocked by federal appeals court, a similar rule from the CMS has not yet been blocked, but has been challenged in the courts.
"We are aware the federal mandate is facing several legal challenges, and the Florida Legislature has passed laws this week to counter the requirements," SMH President and CEO David Verinder said in an email. "We are following these actions closely. But we must start implementing the federal mandate now to meet the required deadlines and ensure our continued participation in Medicare and Medicaid."
Medicaid and Medicare patients account for 62% of the all SMH patients, "so jeopardizing our participation in these programs would disrupt care for tens of thousands of community members," Verinder said in an email.
SMH will also require vendors and contracted employees who provide services at the companies hospitals or outpatient facilities to comply with the federal mandate, as required by CMS.
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Employees and contractors with approved exemptions will be required to test twice a week for COVID-19 and wear masks while at the companies properties.
Until now, SMH has relied on a voluntary vaccination of its staff and an incentive program that saw employees financially compensated if they became vaccinated.
Verinder said 82% of the nearly 7,800-member workforce has been vaccinated as of Friday. He continued to urge the companies employees to get vaccinated in his latest statement.
"But most importantly, I encourage staff to get vaccinated to protect themselves, their family, patients and colleagues," he said in an email. "At this point, more than 7.5 billion COVID vaccine shots have been given around the world, including about 445 million in the U.S."
"There is overwhelming evidence the vaccine is very safe and effective. During the recent surge, 86% of COVID patients hospitalized at SMH from mid-July through September were unvaccinated. No one knows better than our team that the virus can have a severe and often deadly impact on patients. We support efforts that will prevent future hospitalizations and deaths, and ease the enormous strain on the health system and staff. And we are incredibly grateful to the thousands of staff who have already gotten vaccinated."
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Sarasota Memorial plans to comply with federal vaccine mandates
