During the COVID-19 pandemic, Integrity Hospice Care will implement Telehealth strategies when necessary to provide patient care and rescue the risk of COVID-19 transmission in patients’ residence

• The company will implement universal use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
• Mandatory education and in-service for all nurses, hospice aides, and other field staff (Social workers, Chaplains, and Volunteers)
  
  • Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Training as well as                                            standard precautions is paramount.
  • Inservice Training for all nurses, aides and supportive field staff on:

• When to use PPE
• What PPE is necessary
• How to properly don, use, and remove PPE in a manner to prevent self-contamination
• How to properly dispose of, disinfect, and maintain PPE
• The limitations of PPE.

• • Staff will only  use an N95 respirator mask if patient has a diagnosis that requires airborne precautions (CDC.gov).
• Nurses will be trained on how to identify COVID-19 suspected patients by asking patient and family about travel history during visits
•     Nurses will re-evaluate admitted patients for signs and symptoms of COVID-19 or flu-like symptoms (Fever, cough Shortness of breath, Diarrhea) (CDC.gov).
• COVID-19 patients will be evaluated for the need of hospitalization per patient/family request.
• Patient/family/caregiver will be instructed to have a single-person room with a separate bathroom and to wear the appropriate PPE at all times.
• Staff with symptoms of COVID-19 will be required to stay home for 14 days        and return to work after testing negative results from at least one FDA Emergency Use Authorized COVID-19 molecular viral assay for detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA indicates that the person most likely does not have an active SARS-CoV-2 infection at the time the sample was collected (CDC.gov)

• Staff who were suspected of having COVID-19 and had it ruled out, either with at least one negative test or a clinical decision that COVID-19 is not suspected and testing is not indicated, can return to work based on other suspected or confirmed diagnoses per CDC Guidelines. (CDC.gov

Use Reinforce and re-educate nurses and aides in the proper use of bag technique. (There is much unknown about the virus but it does remain on surfaces. So barrier use is highly recommended.) (CDC.gov)

Staff will be provided with current information on COVID-19 on a regular basis from CDC and the local health department.

• Company policies on pandemic plan, influenza protocols, monitoring staff for illnesses, patient classification system will be reviewed and updated.
•   All staff and patients will be encouraged to get the flue shot.

• • Nurses will continue to educate patients and family on COVID-19 and infection control (Hand washing or using alcohol-based hand gel, cough etiquette, keeping physical distance (6 feet) when in public places, and wearing a face mask
• Patients/family will be instructed to call hospice nurse if any flu -like symptom (Fever, cough Shortness of breath, Diarrhea)
•   Patients/family will be provided with updated information/resources on COVID-19 from CDC and the local health department