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COVID-19 Weekly Update and Guidelines

The pandemic crisis continues to evolve on a daily basis. We are following guidelines issued by the CDC and the state of Kansas and Missouri to ensure we are doing our best to educate you and provide the most up to date recommendations to prevent the spread of Covid-19 and flatten the curve.

This past week several questions have been raised regarding the use of facemasks. Facemasks are used to protect those around you in case you are asymptomatic (not showing signs and symptoms of illness) to prevent spreading the virus. In some situations and locations it has been necessary to re-use PPE. Wearing and reusing disposable facemasks is not ideal but due to the current crisis it is necessary to reuse this equipment in order to keep supplies available to you, front line medical workers, and others in need.

GUIDELINES FOR USING A FACEMASK:

  • Wash your hands or use an alcohol based hand sanitizer before putting mask on.

  • DO NOT TOUCH the front of the mask while wearing or removing.

  • Remove the mask by grasping ties or elastic bands without touching the front.

  • Immediately wash your hands with soap/water or hand sanitizer after removal.

  • Some facilities are requiring use of face masks upon entry, follow their rules and instruction.

Health care providers are considered essential during this time. However, when you are not working or traveling to/from work it is very important that you limit your activity to only going out for groceries or getting supplies/services to maintain a household, receiving medical care, getting needed medications, or providing care for vulnerable family in other households.

  • The STAY HOME order has been issued to protect yourself and those around you from contracting or spreading the virus.

  • SOCIAL DISTANCING is one of the most effective ways to lessen your risk when you are in contact with others. With the exception of providing (nursing) care to others when this isn’t possible.

How COVID-19 Spreads

COVID-19 spread is thought to occur mostly from person-to-person via respiratory droplets among close contacts (within 6 feet for longer than 10 minutes). CareStaf is currently working on obtaining PPE for our employees and we will keep you updated on when they become available.

How You Can Protect Yourself

  • Use Standard and Transmission-Based Precautions when caring for patients.

  • Perform hand hygiene with soap and water or alcohol-based sanitizer before and after all patient contact, contact with potentially infectious material, and before putting on and taking off PPE, including gloves. Use soap and water if hands are visibly soiled.

  • Practice how to properly put on, wear, and take off PPE to prevent self-contamination, see attachment.