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COVID-19 Weekly Update and Guidelines

We are continuing to closely monitoring the guidance, recommendations, and policy changes surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. Per updates from CDC on 3/26/2020 there have been 98 reported cases in Kansas and 356 reported cases in Missouri. The message from the CDC is for everyone to continue to do their part to prevent the spread of the virus by social distancing, washing your hands, covering your cough or sneeze, staying home if you’re sick, and self-monitoring for symptoms.

Standard Precautions apply to all patients with respiratory infections, including COVID-19. As healthcare personnel (HCP) you provide care to individuals which include handling their personal items. It is important to practice excellent hand hygiene with soap and water for 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer with 60-95% alcohol content after contact with patients/personal items and after removing gloves or other personal protective equipment (PPE).

Healthcare facilities are doing their best to provide PPE for their staff and agency workers. There is a shortage of PPE, however, steps are being taken to provide protection and get supplies soon. In the meantime you should continue to use the following guidelines for those with suspected or known COVID-19:

  • Hand Hygiene before and after patient contact.

  • Facemask before entering care room or patient room. Follow guidelines of individual facilities based on their availability of PPE and protocols.

  • Eye Protection, if available. Follow guidelines of individual facilities based on their availability of PPE and protocols.

  • Gloves, non-sterile, before entering room and remove when leaving the room.

  • Gowns to be worn when providing direct patient care. Follow guidelines of individual facilities based on their availability of PPE and protocols.

For workers who visit homes it is important to follow these steps:

  • Don’t shake hands or touch others when greeting or interacting.

  • Wash your hands frequently or hand sanitizer if soap and water not available.

  • Limit unnecessary contact with surfaces/items. Avoid shared tablets, writing utensils, cell phones.

  • Regularly wipe down all items and high contact surfaces.

MINIMIZING CHANCE OF EXPOSURE AND SPREAD OF COVID-19:

  • Practice self-care, personal hygiene and social distancing.

  • Stay home when sick. Call CareStaf nursing staff for guidance or questions.

  • Wash hands frequently for at least 20 seconds.

  • Cover coughs and sneezes (into the crook of your arm or elbow).

  • Quickly dispose of tissues in the trash.