Formatting is not ideal on this page, but at the time it is our best format for frequent updates. The “updated” items refer to the section immediately below.

Updated: 3/26/20

CORONAVIRUS AND CLIENT SAFETY

These bullet points are intended to summarize key interventions we are implementing to prioritize the safety of our clients and staff.

• Personal protective equipment will aggressively be provided to our clients and staff as available and as appropriate. As available, we currently are distributing gloves, soap, bandannas (per CDC), hand sanitizer, and masks.
• As essential services, we are continuing our full operations. Our staff have been issued Travel Authorization Letters to present to law enforcement should transit become restricted.
• Our office is operating with skeleton staff and everyone is fully equipped to work remotely.
• Frequent reminders to our staff about safety protocols and notification of their symptoms or exposure to symptoms.
• Upon clocking in for a shift, every Home Care Aide should receive the following message: “If you or your client are experiencing any fever, cough or flu-like symptoms, please contact our office immediately. Please also be extra careful by washing your hands for 30 seconds with soap at arrival and frequently throughout your shifts. Reference our Coronavirus Protocol or call the office with any questions.”
• Staff sick pay available, with sick time encouraged and mandated as appropriate.
• Nurses on staff to adapt to any changes.
• Schedules have been reviewed and rearranged to minimize the number of clients each Home Care Aide serves.
• Our priorities are safety and transparency, consistent with our company values

Updated: 3/30/20

ENTERING HOMES PROTOCOL: Home Care Aides

During Coronavirus Crisis

• Offer to remove your shoes upon entering the home. Another option is to bring booties with you. Preferable to have a pair of shoes you use only for work/outside, that you do not wear inside your own home. 

• Masks (see protocol specific to masks, below)

• Immediately upon entry wash your hands and dry with a paper towel 
• Use sanitizing wipes to wipe down the faucet and other frequently used surfaces around the home
• Minimize touching anything or anyone in the home, maintaining a 6’ distance
  • Wash hands before and after physical contact with client
  • Wear gloves when available
• Keep hands away from face/avoid touching face
• At conclusion of visit
  • Use sanitizing wipes to wipe down the faucet and other frequently used surfaces around the home
  • Wash hands

• Stay safe for you and your client. Call the office immediately if you or your client have any questions or concerns about this protocol.

Updated: 3/30/20

ENTERING HOMES PROTOCOL: Admin Staff

During Coronavirus Crisis

• Carry with you: soap, paper towels, hand sanitizer, gloves, and a mask. Carry the minimum-necessary personal items into the home and place them in a closed bag.  Keep bag on your person or place on a barrier (paper towels, newspaper)
• Inform client of protocol before visit or at the door
• Inquire about any symptoms in the home or exposure of residents before entering. Call the office before entering if any symptoms or exposure is present.
• Offer to remove your shoes upon entering the home. Another option is to bring booties with you. Preferable to have a pair you use only for work/outside, that you do not wear inside your own home. 

• Masks (see protocol specific to masks, below)

• Immediately upon entry wash your hands and dry with a paper towel that you have brought into the home
• Turn off faucet after handwashing with paper towel and wipe down any touched surfaces
• Minimize touching anything or anyone in the home, maintaining 6’ distance
• Keep hands away from face/ Avoid touching face
• Wash hands at conclusion of visit or use sanitizer as not to use clients faucet again

Updated: 4/2/20

MASKS

• International medical opinions on masks change frequently and there is no consensus
• Wear a mask when in a client or potential client’s home
• These options are listed in order of filtering capability:
  • N95 and higher quality mask
  • Surgical mask
  • Dust mask
  • Homemade mask with replaceable filters
  • Bandanna or scarf, or other makeshift material
• Touch your mask only with clean hands
• For a mask that you re-use (like the handmade masks), always use the same side facing out, and the same side facing in towards your mouth. Track this by noting the fabric pattern, or otherwise mark your mask to differentiate “outside” from “inside”.
• Mask is not a substitute for all other precautions, such as hand washing and social distancing
• After removing the mask, place it in a disposable bag for transportation
• Sanitizing: Between every shift, mask or bandanna must be sanitized. These are the best cleaning options, listed in order of best/preferred methods:
  • For N95 and surgical masks:
    • Note that these are not designed to be re-used, but the situation necessitates it.
    • Place the mask in the oven at 150 degrees for 30 minutes. Once complete, turn on the oven to 400 degrees to clean the oven.
  • For homemade masks and other fabrics:
    • By hand, using detergent and bleach, agitating the material with warm water, and rinsing
    • Machine washer with detergent and bleach
    • Dishwasher
    • Boil in water
    • Disinfectant fabric spray. Do not microwave. Best way to dry is with hot air, alternatively air drying is acceptable.
  • For the homemade masks CCP distributed with the pocket for a filter:
    • Replace the filter at least every week 
    • A piece of wire makes the nose bridge, so it is not microwave safe

Updated: 3/30/20

CLIENT WITH CONFIRMED COVID-19

OR UNDER INVESTIGATION

• Policy: Existing clients with confirmed COVID-19 or under investigation will continue to receive service from Coast Care Partners where safety protocols are available. New clients will be accepted on a case-by-case basis where safety protocols are available.
• Precautions per CDC (in the Resources list below)
• A “safe area” of the residence will be established where disinfecting occurs upon entry and exit from home. Such disinfecting will include Home Care Aide clothing, where protective layers are worn or work clothes are handled and laundered so as to reduce exposure.
• When available, a HEPA room purifier will be utilized in the client’s room.
• One hour of complementary Care Management time will be provided to manage safety. Should continued Care Manager involvement be necessary for providing a safe environment, Care Management time will be required at a discounted rate.

Updated: 3/25/20

COMMUNICATIONS

• Our priorities are safety and transparency, consistent with our company values
• When a Home Care Aid exhibits symptoms (dry cough, fever, or shortness of breath) or receives a COVID-19 diagnosis, every client whose home the HCA worked in during the previous 14 days will be notified of the risk, and all HCAs who worked in those respective homes will be notified
• When a client exhibits symptoms or receives a diagnosis, all HCAs who have worked in the client’s home in the previous 14 days will be notified
• As much as possible, we are videoconferencing using tools such as Zoom, Google Hangouts, and Facebook Messenger. 
• During the crisis we are conducting daily virtual meetings, such as:
  • All admin team (all non-Home Care Aides)
  • “Crisis” team
  • Client Services Managers
  • Accounting
  • Web forum with management and open to all Home Care Aides
• Frequent email and text updates to all staff and clients, multiple times each week

Updated: 3/30/20

RESOURCES

• Basic and authoritative coronavirus/COVID-19 information:
  • CDC regarding coronavirus: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/
  • California Department of Public Health: https://covid19.ca.gov/
  • San Diego County: https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/coronavirus.html
• CDC regarding masks: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/ppe-strategy/face-masks.html
• CDC regarding care in the home: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/guidance-prevent-spread.html

Alzheimer’s Association tips for caregivers: https://www.alz.org/media/Documents/alzheimers-coronavirus-covid19-tips-for-dementia-caregivers-ts.pdf