Table 1.

Operational steps in the early return-to-work program

Employee Health nurse initiates an order for the program in the electronic health record.

Employee Health sends daily list of employees with an order for the program to the Mailing Group.

Mailing Group prints a label with pertinent employee information and sends a package that contains a self-collection specimen kit.12,13 A video on proper collection of the nasal swab was provided to the employee, and Employee Health team members were available for assistance as needed.

Employee performs self-collection day 5-7 and drops off specimen in a drop box at a predetermined convenient location among 24 sites.

Specimen retrieved from drop box, transported to select regional laboratory hubs that had available capacity to complete SARS-CoV-2 NAAT.

Employee Health nurse calls employee with test results. HCP who tested negative and remained asymptomatic through day 7 were eligible to RTW on day 8 after exposure.