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What is PennOpen Pass?

PennOpen Pass is a self-reporting tool that UPHS employees, vendors, contractors, and University employees with patient care responsibilities are required to fill out to report symptoms of COVID-19, a high-risk exposure to COVID-19, or positive COVID test result.

How do I schedule a COVID-19 PCR test?

Employees who would like to schedule a COVID-19 PCR test at a Penn Medicine location may still do so by one of two ways:

  1. Text “CHECK” to 94501, click on the link, answer the POP screening questions to get a Green Pass, and then click on the Green Pass link that says, “Want COVID-19 testing?"
  2. Sign on to the UPHS intranet home page, click on the PennOpen Pass icon, log in, and then select Employee Testing from the options on your profile screen.

Usage and Access

Please use Penn Open Pass if you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, have received a positive test for COVID-19, or have had a high-risk exposure to COVID-19. Employees may access POP in one of two ways:

  1. Text “CHECK” to 94501 and click on the link to complete the screening questions and then await instructions from the POP team
  2. Click on the UPHS intranet home page PennOpen Pass icon, click on “Get Started” and follow instructions on the home page

I have received a red pass. What happens next?

You will receive an email with guidance advising you of your next steps. The POP and Red Pass Management team will continue to provide guidance on need for testing, assistance with scheduling testing, recommendations on return-to-work dates, and masking guidance during periods after exposure or recent COVID-19 infections.

What is the definition of a High Risk Exposure?

A higher risk exposure includes having a household member with COVID-19, or extensive exposure to a patient with COVID-19 while not wearing a recommended N95 respirator. More information can be found in the current UPHS Exposure Guidelines found here.

Privacy: How is my data protected?

We are committed to protecting the privacy and security of your data. See the PennOpen Pass Privacy Statement for more information.

Who developed the PennOpen Pass application?

PennOpen Pass was developed by the Penn Medicine Information Services software development team.

Do I need to install PennOpen Pass on my phone?

You do not need to install PennOpen Pass on your phone. PennOpen Pass is a mobile-friendly website that runs in your phone or computer’s web browser, just like any other website that you would visit.

Does PennOpen Pass have access to data on my phone, such as photos, location data, etc.?

PennOpen Pass does not access the personal data on your phone. The application only stores information related to your completion of each day’s symptom survey. This data is stored securely.

What is the data retention policy for PennOpen Pass?

Penn will retain personally identifiable information collected through PennOpen only as long as necessary to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, after which time it will be securely deleted.

How should I enter my symptoms in PennOpen Pass in the first 48 hours after receiving my COVID-19 vaccine?

Do not report symptoms of unusual fatigue, fevers, or chills if you received a COVID vaccine within the past 48 hours. If you have other symptoms or these symptoms persist beyond 48 hours, report as usual. After 48 hours, PennOpen Pass will help distinguish between symptoms related to the vaccine and those which require other clinical guidance.

Do I need to continue using PennOpen Pass even if I have been vaccinated?

Yes, if you have been vaccinated, you should continue to answer PennOpen Pass questions concerning COVID-19. If you experience symptoms or exposures and generate a Red Pass, you will be guided through additional screening questions informed by the latest clinical guidance and scientific evidence used by Penn Medicine clinicians to determine quarantine timeframes or other next steps for your situation.

Am I required to be vaccinated?

Please visit Vaccination Requirements.

How does PennOpen Pass use SMS messaging?

  1. When you enroll in PennOpen Pass, we’ll send you an SMS message to confirm your phone number.
  2. You can cancel the SMS service at any time by texting “STOP” to the PennOpen Pass short code. After this, you will no longer receive SMS messages and must text “START” to the PennOpen Pass short code to resume SMS messages.
  3. We offer this service through a provider. They are able to deliver messages to the following mobile phone carriers: Major carriers: AT&T, Verizon Wireless, Sprint, T-Mobile, MetroPCS, U.S. Cellular, Alltel, Boost Mobile, Nextel, and Virgin Mobile. Minor carriers: Alaska Communications Systems (ACS), Appalachian Wireless (EKN), Bluegrass Cellular, Cellular One of East Central IL (ECIT), Cellular One of Northeast Pennsylvania, Cincinnati Bell Wireless, Cricket, Coral Wireless (Mobi PCS), COX, Cross, Element Mobile (Flat Wireless), Epic Touch (Elkhart Telephone), GCI, Golden State, Hawkeye (Chat Mobility), Hawkeye (NW Missouri), Illinois Valley Cellular, Inland Cellular, iWireless (Iowa Wireless), Keystone Wireless (Immix Wireless/PC Man), Mosaic (Consolidated or CTC Telecom), Nex-Tech Wireless, NTelos, Panhandle Communications, Pioneer, Plateau (Texas RSA 3 Ltd), Revol, RINA, Simmetry (TMP Corporation), Thumb Cellular, Union Wireless, United Wireless, Viaero Wireless, and West Central (WCC or 5 Star Wireless). Carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages.
  4. As always, message and data rates may apply for any messages sent to you from us and to us from you. If you have opted in to daily reminders, you will receive 1 SMS reminder message a day from PennOpen Pass. You may receive additional messages depending on your use of the service. If you have any questions about your text plan or data plan, it is best to contact your wireless provider. For all questions about the services provided by this short code, you can send an email to pennopenpass@pennmedicine.upenn.edu.
  5. If you have any questions regarding privacy, please read the PennOpen Pass Privacy Statement.