Saratoga Hospital, Adirondack Trust Partner To Help Businesses Open Safely

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga Hospital and Adirondack Trust Company are teaming up to help businesses resume operations safely now that the Capital Region is cleared for COVID-19
Phase 3 reopening.

With support from Adirondack Trust Company, Saratoga Hospital has launched the COVID-19 Business Safety Consultation Program to help area employers review their safety plans and fine-tune practices on screening, masking, social distancing, contactless interactions, disinfectant use and other measures that can help prevent the spread of the new coronavirus.

“We want to see our region reopen safely—to help keep our community healthy and get people and businesses back to work,” said Charles V. Wait Jr., president & CEO of Adirondack Trust Company. “This is uncharted territory, so most businesses could use some help. Saratoga Hospital has had great success managing these issues since the start of the pandemic. They’re the logical partner for this effort.”

The free consultation, provided by Saratoga Hospital Medical Group – Occupational Medicine, includes:

• An on-site visit to assess issues, including work flow, staff-to-staff and customer-to -staff interactions, meeting space, distance between desks or stations, break rooms, rest rooms and other key spaces.
• Recommendations on employee and customer screenings for COVID-19 symptoms or exposure.
• Masking best practices.
• Cleaning and disinfecting protocols.
• Review of the New York Forward industry-specific guidelines for reopening.
• Help completing the state-required COVID-19 safety plan, which must be available on-site for state officials to review upon request.

Participating businesses receive a custom-designed social distancing tool to help mark off the recommended six-feet required for social distancing. At the conclusion of the site visit, businesses receive a “COVID-19 Safety Plan” certificate, which they can display to promote their commitment to safety.

“At Saratoga Hospital, it’s our job to set and maintain the health standards of one of the largest workforces in the county, to stay on top of the latest developments and government requirements—and to share what we’ve learned to benefit the entire community,” said Dr. Michael Holland, an international expert and the medical director of occupational medicine and employee health at Saratoga Hospital. “This program is a wonderful way for us to support local businesses and help keep our community safe and healthy.”