Article 1. SGS Elizabeth, NJ Updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Please Note: We will continue to keep this page updated.  This page was last updated on 6/24/20.

SGS Clinical Studies, Elizabeth, NJ Facility Updates

Due to the New Jersey stay at home orders being eased, SGS-North America has authorized us to re-open our lab for studies. To protect you and our staff, at this time only panelists (no children, family members, or friends) are allowed in the lab. Additionally, all panelists are required to wear a mask into the lab. Please read more below about the safety precautions we have put in place, and what to expect when you come for your study.

If you have any questions, please email us at ElizabethPaidStudies@sgs.com and include the study number you are inquiring about. Please do not call our office line because we are working with limited staff and may not get to your message quickly.

Key Goals and Our Strategy

Your health and safety are our top priority. Therefore, we have developed an operating strategy during the COVID-19 pandemic. These goals of our strategy are consistent with the guidelines put in place by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and SGS-North America. The health and safety of our employees, study participants and any other person who comes to our facilities is our priority. Our goals are as follows:

• Follow the rules of local governments and authorities
• Help reduce illness and death related to COVID-19
• Minimize disease transmission
• Protect employees and study participants
• Minimize business disruption by providing a safe environment to conduct studies.

What to Expect

Future study visits during the COVID-19 pandemic will be significantly different from previous visits to SGS Elizabeth, NJ. Any guests that accompany you will be asked to stay in the car or outside (maintaining social distancing) and for now children will not be allowed in the facility with you unless they are currently on a study and here for a visit. We recommend that you leave your children at home or plan to have someone watch them during the visit. We will encourage you to wear a mask or some type of facial covering to the visit to protect yourself and others around. At some points during the visit, you may be asked to temporarily remove the mask so we can do our job of checking your skin for changes.

In preparation for resuming studies, all SGS Elizabeth, NJ employees have undergone extensive training that cover how COVID-19 spreads, reviewed the signs and symptoms, infection prevention and control measures. All employees will be screened daily for fever and instructed to check daily for any of signs of illness before coming to work. To enhance awareness, signs and posters will be posted at entrances and in strategic places providing instructions, signs and symptoms of COVID-19, hand hygiene, respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette.

In preparation for study visits we have instituted several steps and measures to protect you and our staff.

Steps We Have Taken to Protect You

Protective Equipment

• Check in and staff will be required to wear a protective mask, gloves, lab coat and glasses.
• Plexiglass partitions have been installed to minimize contact between subject and staff. In the event a plexiglass partition is not feasible, the staff carrying out the procedures will wear a face mask and shield.

Sanitizing

• Alcohol-based hand sanitizer will be available throughout the facility for use by staff and panelists.
• Staff will apply alcohol-based hand sanitizer to their hands before and directly after they touch a panelists skin. Touching a panelists skin will be minimized as much as possible.
• Facility areas will be disinfected twice daily.

Social Distancing and Crowd Control

• A limited number of panelists will be allowed in the facility at a given time. Panelists will not be allowed to bring guests or children with them to their scheduled visit unless they are on a study and here for a visit. If you do bring guests and children that are not on a study and here for a visit, they will be asked to wait outside.
• Only panelists with a confirmed appointment time be allowed in the facility.

Health Checks and Precautions

• Staff will be required to have their temperature checked daily. If an employee has a temperature of ≥100.3˚F, they will not be allowed to enter the facility.

Steps We Ask You to Take

Protective Equipment

• All panelists will be asked to follow recommended guidelines for wearing a mask or protective facial covering to the facility. You may be asked to remove it temporally during your visit in order to do a skin evaluation.

Sanitizing

• When you arrive to the facility, please sanitize your hands with one of our Alcohol-based hand sanitizers available throughout the facility or wash your hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.

Social Distancing and Crowd Control

• Panelists will not be allowed to bring guests or children with them to their scheduled visit unless they are on a study and here for a visit. If you do bring guests and children, that are not on a study and here for a visit, they will be asked to wait outside.
• Only come to the facility if you have a confirmed appointment time. If you do not have a confirmed appointment time, you will not be allowed in the facility.

Health Checks and Precautions

• Panelists will be required to complete a health declaration or confirm the health declaration on file is accurate.
• Panelists will be required to have their temperature taken when they arrive to the facility. If someone has a temperature of ≥100.3˚F they will not be allowed to enter and will be asked to reschedule their appointment.
• We ask that if you are feeling ill or have encountered anyone who has signs or symptoms of respiratory infection or COVID-19, that you do not participate in our studies.

Your safety is our number one concern. We appreciate your cooperation and welcome you to be part of the SGS Elizabeth, NJ family.

Thank you for your participation in our studies. We wish you and your families all the best for your health and safety during this challenging time.