Home Healthcare Workers

HOME HEALTH CARE WORKERS Here’s How to Stay Safe During COVID-19

BY KEVIN FIELDS

IT has always been a challenge for Home Health Care Providers to keep themselves safe while providing safe care to clients. In the era of COVID-19, it can be harder than ever. Here is an overview of best practices to protect both providers and clients.

PRIOR TO THE APPOINTMENT

Inventory Supplies:

• Full PPE: N95 mask with storage container, face shield, gown, and gloves • Mask – extra in case client/ family members need one • Gloves

• Eye protection • Approved disinfectant wipe • Hand sanitizer • Medical supplies • Trash bags • Surface barrier (i.e. wax paper)

Contact the client and ask the following questions:

➤ Have you, or anyone in your family, been in contact with a person that is in process of being tested for COVID-19?

➤ Have you, or anyone in your family, travelled outside of the

United States in the last 2 weeks or just travelled outside of your city? ➤ Have you been medically directed to self-quarantine due to possible exposure to COVID-19?

➤ Have you had any illness symptoms such as fever, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, fatigue, body aches, or chills within the last 48 hours?

➤ If the answer to any of these questions is YES or the occupant(s) prefers not to have a worker in their home, the visit should be rescheduled or, if possible, conducted virtually. As a general rule, a yes answer requires the visit to be rescheduled for no earlier than 14 days.

➤ If a household member other

than the client is a contact, ask them to use a face mask during the visit and to stay in another room, if possible.

➤ Ask if anyone in the household has nebulizer treatments; require nasal/oral suctioning; use Cpap, Bipap, or a Ventilator, and if so, what hours they are used. Note: Visit should be postponed for 3 hours after aerosolizing or don full PPE as a precaution.

AT THE HOME

➤ Call the client upon arriving and reassess risk by asking the same questions (listed above) before entering. ➤ If the answer to any question is YES, act as directed above.

Remind the client to:

• Keep family members at least 6 feet from you unless the family member is being taught care by the HHCP staff.

• Secure any pets. • Ensure that there is a clear path to and from the client.

DURING THE VISIT

➤ Don full PPE prior to entering the home for COVD-19+ clients. All home visits will require mask, goggles/shield, and gloves.

➤ Do not shake hands or touch others when greeting or interacting.

➤ Wash your hands frequently and use hand sanitizer when soap and water is not available.

➤ Use a bleach and water solution to disinfect any work areas. Wax paper can be used as a barrier in homes to sit bags and equipment on.

➤ All equipment should be cleaned with approved disinfectant prior to returning them to your bag.

➤ Limit unnecessary contact with surfaces/items and avoid shared use of tablets, laptops, writing utensils, and cell phones. Regularly wipe down all items. ❖

❱ Go online for tips on what should happen after the exams and a list of article resources.

Kevin Fields is a Loss Control Specialist with RAS. He is a member of the American Society of Safety Professionals and is a certified OSHA 10-hour trainer.