TNPLH Covid-19 Staff Policy
As of 03/12/2020
As you know, older adults, like our Clients, are at higher risk of contracting COVID-19 (aka Coronavirus) and they are more susceptible to serious side effects that can lead up to death in these sensitive groups. As such, as Caregivers for the elderly in our community, we want to do everything in our power to be sure we protect them to our fullest ability and have policies in place to limit their exposure.
Effective immediately, all Caregivers must begin a daily self-screen by taking your temperature at least 3 hours before daily shift or the night before if you have a morning shift starting before 9am. Even if you do not have any other symptoms, still take your temperature daily. If you take your temperature via temporal or rectal with a result of 100.4 or higher or if you take your temperature by mouth or ear with a result of 100.00 or higher, we would like for you stay home until you no longer have a fever. You must let us know at least 2 hours before your shift every day if you have a fever or have symptoms. If you are scheduled to be on call, please take your temperature the night before and respond accordingly. If you do not have access to a thermometer, please let us know as soon as possible and we can lend you one.
Other symptoms to watch out for that may accompany fever: dry cough, shortness of breath. These may appear 2-14 days after exposure.
If you do have these symptoms we need you to stay home, avoid public places, and stay away from our Clients. Call your healthcare professional and inform them of your symptoms and follow the advice of your doctor and/or CDC recommendations. Of course, your health is the responsibility of yourself and your medical provider. Keep us informed of your condition.
If you do not have a fever or any other symptoms and are thankfully able to work, please begin taking these extra precautions effective immediately:
Wash your hands with antibacterial soap for at least 20 seconds anytime you: Were out in public, immediately after entering a Client’s home, before eating or drinking, before having physical contact with your Client, if you touch your mouth, face, nose, or rub your eyes, before putting on gloves, after taking gloves off, after coughing or sneezing, and before leaving your Client’s home. If soap and water is not available, you may use hand sanitizer.
Clean all “high-touch” surfaces daily with disinfectant wipes or spray.
Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue, then immediately throw out the tissue or cough or sneeze into your elbow. Wash hands right away.
Wear gloves while preparing Client meals.
Some extra precautions we would like to suggest, for the health and safety of our Clients and you:
Limit your exposure by avoiding unnecessary public places. This is not a requirement, but will certainly limit your exposure, thus, helping protect our Clients.
Do not wear shoes in doors, or if you must, bring a pair of shoes with you that are never worn outside.
Change your clothing after being in public. Place soiled or dirty clothes immediately in the laundry.
We have also decided to temporarily halt trainings at the office.
Thank you, all, for helping us keep our community safe. We will continue to monitor suggestions from the CDC and local organizations for updates on how we can minimize our exposure. For further information, you can visit: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html