Medcan Launches Safe at Work System to Assist Canadian Employers Through Pandemic

• Medical screening and assessment ensures employees are safe to return to work after social distancing is relaxed
• Occupational health experts craft strategies to keep workplaces infection-free and minimize outbreak risk with on-site nurses

TORONTO, April 21, 2020 /CNW/ - Medcan launched today an innovative, comprehensive and evidence-based new service designed to assist employers looking to safeguard their staff and workplaces through the COVID-19 pandemic.

Medcan's Safe at Work System uses the guidance of occupational health experts to deploy protocols that minimize the possibility of outbreaks at workplaces after the relaxation of social distancing. With on-site health care workers and diagnostic assessment and containment practices, Medcan works with partners to keep their workforces healthy and feeling confident to perform their jobs.

"Executives and their employees are heading into a challenging new reality," said Medcan CEO Shaun Francis. "Forward-thinking leaders are preparing to return their employees to work in an environment where a single infection could send home hundreds and even thousands of staff members."

"Managing the return-to-work process is a continuous and longer-term priority for employers.  Repeated interruptions will cause commercial and operational challenges.  Most importantly, returning employees to work safely and instilling trust is imperative," said Medcan President Ashim Khemani. "Our team of clinical, epidemiological, data and technology experts has crafted comprehensive strategies designed to minimize risk—and prepare contingencies if infection is detected."

With the Safe at Work System, Medcan staff will work with clients in three phases:

Phase one involves an "Assessment & Customization" process that analyzes the risk profile of each worksite, sets clear policies dictating access, and describes physical-distancing regulations once access is granted.

Phase two, "Communication & Execution," features a process to assess the COVID-19 status of all at-risk employees, with point-of-care testing as appropriate to classify employees in various categories ranging from COVID-19 negative and asymptomatic to COVID-19 positive and recovered.

Phase three, "Monitoring & Management," includes the tracking of all building entries and exits, with protocols designed to evaluate employees for symptoms. In this phase, on-site nurses may assess employees before entry at worksites for such symptoms as elevated body temperature. Those flagged as symptomatic could undergo point-of-care testing, and a positive test for COVID-19 could trigger a contact-tracing and quarantine protocol.

Medcan invites those interested to join a special, complimentary webinar. CEO Shaun Francis, President Ashim Khemani and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Peter Nord will answer questions and provide guidance on the next phase of the pandemic. Details:

• Date: Thursday, Apr. 23, 2020
• Time: 12:30 p.m. Eastern Time
• Register for the Zoom webinar: tinyurl.com/yb5rcwmg
• After registering, you will receive a confirmation email that provides information about joining as well as the option of submitting questions in advance

Medcan provides services that inspire our clients to live well, for life. During its more than 30 years in operation, Medcan has become the nation's largest provider of health inspiration, partnering with our 50,000 clients to set and achieve health and wellness goals both in-person and virtually. For more information about Medcan, visit www.medcan.com.

SOURCE Medcan

Contact Chief Product & Business Development Officer Andrew Zimakas, Medcan, [phone], [email protected]