2020-02-28_sdaoust_FINAL Home Care Assistance Coronavirus article.docx

Home Care Assistance Coronavirus (COVID-19) Protocol

Everyone plays an important role in helping to control the spread of contagious illnesses such as the common cold and influenza. As always, precautions can and should be taken by all, to limit the rise of exposure to any of these viruses. As home care professionals, we deal with a particularly vulnerable part of the population whose immune systems are often already weakened by other illnesses, putting them at even greater risk of serious illness.

With increasing concerns regarding COVID-19, it is important to re-iterate proper protocol to protect ourselves, our families and our clients from this virus and other contagious illnesses.

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that can cause anything from the common cold to more serious disease. Coronaviruses can be transmitted from person to person, but from animals to humans as well. COVID-19 is the novel coronavirus that is responsible for the pneumonia outbreak that started in China.

Symptoms of the virus are primarily lung-related; coughing, difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, fever, headache, sore throat. Less frequent symptoms include diarrhea and coughing up blood.

Coronaviruses are transmitted through respiratory droplets that are produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. These droplets can land in the mouth, eyes or nose of nearby people and are then inhaled into the lungs. COVID-19 can also be transmitted by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it, and then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes. Spread is possible while people are symptomatic, but also before people show signs. The incubation period can be 2 to 14 days, but some people have shown signs of the coronavirus up until 27 days later after contracting the illness.

Home Care Assistance (HCA) is committed to protecting our clients, staff and their families. As such, we have put the following infection prevention protocol and control measures in place.

Briefing of all HCA caregivers on our infectious disease procedures.

Practice frequent hand hygiene.

Hands should be washed for minimum 20 to 30 seconds with warm water and soap.

Hands should be washed upon arrival to a client’s home, before starting a shift.

Hands should be washed before and after toileting, meal preparation and housekeeping tasks.

Use disposable paper towels to dry hands following hand washing.

If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

Use a disposable tissue when coughing or sneezing. These tissues help to contain any respiratory or oral secretions. Dispose of the tissue immediately.

Avoid close contact with anyone suffering from acute respiratory infection.

Wear a mask if you have any respiratory symptoms (even if they are mild or are residual symptoms following improvement of a cold).

Wear disposable gloves, especially when working with bodily fluids, oral or respiratory secretions, stool or urine. Hand hygiene is important before putting on and after taking off gloves. Always wear disposable gloves when touching a client’s nose, mouth and eyes.

Never reuse disposable gloves.

Never reuse masks.

Visitors who have travelled should not be allowed to visit if they have any respiratory symptoms.

Clean and disinfect surfaces that are frequently touched (bedside tables, bedframe, kitchen areas, doorknobs, etc.) daily.

Clean and disinfect all bathroom areas at least once a day with a disinfectant household solution.

All gloves, masks and any other waste generated should be promptly placed in a waste bin with a lid.

Refrain from sharing food, utensils, towels or linens.

Advise HCA if you have recently travelled or if you have come into contact with a person with acute respiratory illness.

If you or your client are feeling unwell, or have any respiratory symptoms, please report it to a Care Manager at Home Care Assistance immediately.

Prevention is key! If you have any questions or need further assistance, please don’t’ hesitate to contact. 514-907-5065.

*Sources include the CDC and WHO