Blog Standard - Mindful Healthcare Agency - Part 2

Health and Safety Protocol with the Coronavirus

By Loyce 03/17/2020

Update on Mindful HealthCare Agency’s Health and Safety Protocol with the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Mindful HealthCare Agency is actively monitoring the progression of the coronavirus, COVID-19, to ensure that we have the most accurate and latest information on the impact of the virus. As new cases are identified in our communities, this situation continues to develop rapidly, and our protocols will be adjusted as needed. While most cases of COVID-19 are mild, causing only fever and cough, a very small percentage of cases become severe and may progress particularly in the elderly and people with underlying medical conditions. Because this is a large population that Mindful HealthCare Agency serves, we understand your concerns and want to share with you how our organization is responding to the threat of COVID-19. We are following updates and procedures from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), State Department of Health, local authorities, and other agencies and resources. Our response and plans may adjust according to the recommendations from these organizations. Safety Protocol for Mindful HealthCare Agency In addition to our continued adherence to Massachusetts’s health and safety protocols, we are taking additional proactive preventative measures to keep our community as healthy as possible, including: .Washing hands with soap and water. If soap and water are not readily available, use of an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. .Refraining from coming to work if one becomes sick with respiratory symptoms like fever and cough .Additional sanitizing of high-volume points of contact (door handles, keyboards, faucets, etc.)All Mindful HealthCare Agency .Employees, including caregivers, who have traveled internationally since January or plan to are required to disclose that to their Care Coordinator or Supervisor with details such as when and where .Upon returning from any international travel, employees who do not show symptoms noted above are still required to self-quarantine for 14 days before returning to work .Employees who do show any of the symptoms listed above after traveling will be required to self-quarantine and provide a doctor’s note or negative test results before returning to work .Providing hand sanitizers and Lysol wipes at the Mindful office .Reiterating with our employees all recommendations for health and safety to ensure that they are well-versed and compliant with best practices How Can Mindful HealthCare Agency Help During This Time? We believe that your home is the safest place for you or your loved ones. Our Caregivers can help in the home which can limit exposure from outside contact and large group activity where the virus is known to spread more quickly. For individuals who have been recently discharged from the hospital, home care with our Caregiver can be the lower risk option since skilled nursing facilities and assisted living communities may become reluctant to accept immunocompromised patients due to the facilities’ higher-risk environments. How our Caregivers can help in the home: Personal care (assistance with bathing, grooming, dressing, toileting)Light housekeeping and sanitizing around the homePicking up groceries and medicationMeal preparation while following health & safety protocolsCompanionship and socialization (while promoting social distancing from large groups of people)