Orcas Caregivers

• Take the Orcas Caregiver Survey

• For masks - michele.keyes@gmail.com

• For Personal Protective Equipment - call or text 206-276-5805

• For caregiver needs call Molly Roberts - (360) 376-6333

• COVID-19 Support Line 866-342-6892

Daily Updates (curated by Debra O'Conner)

These updates come from the Orcas Island Caregivers Preparedness group on Facebook.

April 27: Where is Coronavirus?

Interesting as life may change a bit.

https://apple.news/Ao--rXJeESvOhUZIoeMdnhA

April 21: Island Caregivers

Thank you Island Caregivers for offering such wonderful compassionate care.

From Judy Graham-

This is a topic I want to explore in much greater depth: the issues that vulnerable older adults who live at home are facing because of coronavirus. Specifically, how are home care services being affected? Is it harder to get help, either from private agencies or agencies that provide Medicare funded services? What are people experiencing?

Howard Gleckman rightfully underscores what an important topic this is in the piece below.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/howardgleckman/2020/04/16/home-care-agencies-and-workers-are-the-next-ground-zero-for-covid-19/#2c194ab06f05

April 16: Coronavirus Social Distance Simulation

Facinating!

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/04/14/science/coronavirus-transmission-cough-6-feet-ar-ul.html?smid=fb-share&fbclid=IwAR0Kdta8dCL39Jro7irwnpXdo7cV3bg_BmJF9iiYXStPzHO_3uLAXMchOa4

April 15: COVID in the San Juans

Thank you SAN JUAN COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH! WE are doing a great job!

https://khn.org/news/how-do-we-exit-the-shutdown-hire-an-army-of-public-health-workers/

April 14: Potential Gaps in PPE

Maybe each of us as caregivers should make sure we understand this. Just in case.

https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/928163?src=soc_fb_share&fbclid=IwAR12Mje-F_-goLfnDOp0upk4QQ-P4tOLP0ZnsYIIJuLS7jOQrsexnK-2t6E

April 13: How to Clean Coronavirus Face Masks

A reminder.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/how-to-clean-fabric-coronavirus-face-mask_l_5e8f6e5dc5b6458ae2a5cab1?utm_campaign=share_facebook&ncid=engmodushpmg00000003&fbclid=IwAR0_h1-HCUM4GhmxG7tnxSAd-oU42LQmTqWky0JWqv_Ne9J6NdpMkarAnbY

April 12: On a LIGHTER NOTE!!!

What Did People Do Before Toilet Paper - National Geographic

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/2020/03/what-people-do-before-toilet-paper/?fbclid=IwAR3b3Jc97TKgYiqEHUMnf8qshpbSJVK_NMJVjtOsxBaWHnmq4vD0N4XwUz0

April 11: Discomfort of Grief

An interesting read for a different time.

https://hbr.org/2020/03/that-discomfort-youre-feeling-is-grief?fbclid=IwAR15iZEHr6gopI61uOiyFxqH2MJ_OC36USv15-Rl9ds2Kj0Wb0-hyH26Nwc

April 10: Dealing With Anxiety Around Coronavirus

STAY WELL!

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/sleep-better-coronavirus-anxiety_l_5e8b5b2cc5b6cc1e47799a4d?utm_campaign=share_facebook&ncid=engmodushpmg00000003&fbclid=IwAR3hEmvQMxVv6O9RsUk2ls5jm7-wzMAd36RroesWha5s4IZZ5O1QmTmvU4c

April 9: Safe Glove Removal

Be sure you know how to do this!

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/how-to-remove-dispose-gloves_l_5e8ca72dc5b6e1a2e0faad0b?utm_campaign=share_facebook&ncid=engmodushpmg00000003&fbclid=IwAR05_s8gzv9lQHrh-MluhkZzQUTBIkiQxQPPsldL6A6b_i4l2PGza5Ls0l8&guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZmFjZWJvb2suY29tLw&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAJ2ommawe1GUnNLeJ9usHL1-BMgzqZsoFrjL8xAEtGSfmrcM5RduULcOSElCtrxhqyJj4zKylfH9c8qsqCincee0K51X5DfTnl-1Bz_MxSAM6NMZpbwMuo5I2Gma_dSJxjD8Iv9slZflSeiqIZyTVzXpbG6pY0_D-IWscwpqu_bs

April 8: Mask Tips

Ever wondered how to avoid this?

How to Wear Face Masks Without Fogging Glasses - Huffpost

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/how-to-wear-face-masks-without-fogging-glasses-coronavirus_l_5e8bd866c5b6e1d10a68988f?utm_campaign=share_facebook&ncid=engmodushpmg00000003&fbclid=IwAR0eQACQIDdxF3k9598kAZXRSNWiqOJqlLVMF6Hu7JTZCc8AFVsubNy4ewU

April 7: Thank You Caregivers

THANK YOU CAREGIVERS, professional and family for being there for our elders.

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/07/nyregion/dying-alone-coronavirus.html?smid=fb-share&fbclid=IwAR2usYxZ-EZA8QdgXBFAlmc_I1zwA1RG3pct6snYc4FzgKT5g4RxrT5FD0U

April 6: Coping with Coronavirus

A great way to follow up after having the conversations.

https://thriveglobal.com/stories/this-pandemic-is-personal/?fbclid=IwAR3RNCgNxqFYw3djgvyXzpPhKV3o6F_w6NRxSFWdwCL117X7XgZezGKPgAY

April 6: "Its Time to Talk About Death"

A great discussion for today.

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/27/opinion/covid-end-of-life.html?smid=fb-share&fbclid=IwAR3N9YGNAU7YTlzHHW97E_-sKiGd_0UzEH5EvUjMw_V6IX5bXYslZJtQ968

April 6: Organize Essential Information

NO time better than NOW!

Get all of your (and your family's) essential information in order

https://www.joincake.com/blog/coronavirus-resources/

https://mydirectives.com/

https://www.everplans.com/checklists

Contact Debra O'Conner (mwifedoc@icloud.com) for a directive specific to island living and contact information for a virtual attorney

April 5: End-of-Life Planning

What a great time to either initiate or update your directives so that your choices are respected. For a robust conversation tool .....

https://www.heraldmailmedia.com/news/nation/sheltered-at-home-families-broach-end-of-life-planning/article_53bf0904-fb96-5649-a2c9-204045f0f2d4.html

Contact Debra O'Conner (mwifedoc@icloud.com) if you would like a Covid-19 specific directive or referral to a virtual attorney to assist you with these documents.

April 4: We Need More Masks!

There is a shortage of masks in our community. We need masks made!

For more information, michele.keyes@gmail.com.

https://www.facebook.com/105125681122323/videos/906707449757550/

April 4: Putting Filters In Cloth Masks

WHY WE ARE PUTTING FILTERS IN YOUR CLOTH MASK KITS - AN ATTEMPT AT GREATER PROTECTION

Could High Quality Home AC Filters be Modified into Masks?

Robert Meacham, MD | Baptist Memorial Hospital - Union County, MS Emergency Dept

The COVID-19 virus particle size has been reported as being in the 0.06 - 0.140, or more specifically in the 0.07 - .0.09 micron range. But human respiratory droplets actually carrying the pathogen range from less than 10 microns (“droplet nuclei”) to greater than 60 microns (“large droplets”). Per information from a WHO publication, one sneeze can release as many as 40,000 droplets in the 0.5 - 12 micron range. A cough releases up to 3,000 droplets, which is equivalent to an amount released by normal talking for 5 minutes.

An N95 mask is designed to block at least 95% of particles 0.3 microns in size or larger. So even a properly fitted N95 mask does not completely eliminate the risk of illness or death. It works by “tortuous path”, removing particles by impact and absorption of the particulate into the filter by trapping particles between the fibers of the mask.

High quality air conditioning (AC) filters work the same way and might be equal to this level of protection. AC filters are given MERV ratings. This stands for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value. The scale (from 0-16) was designed to represent the worst case performance of a filter handling particles in the range of 0.3 - 1.0 microns. The higher the MERV rating, the better the particles are captured. A MERV 16 filter captures more than 95% of particles over the full range from 0.3 microns and larger. This is equivalent to an N95 mask.

I have a 20x25x1 inch AC filter in my house that was made by 3M, purchased at Lowes. It is a “Filtrete Ultimate Allergen 1900”. It has a MERV rating of 13. It shows that it removes 62% of particles in the 0.3 - 1.0 micron range, 87% in the 1-3 micron range, and 95% in the 3-10 micron range. 3M also makes an “Filtrete Ultrafine Particle Reduction 2800”, with a MERV of 14, which would have even better performance. These aren’t quite up to N95 level protection, but in a pinch, are certainly better protection than a regular surgical mask can offer.

Could these filters possibly be taken out of their square cardboard AC filter frames and cut into makeshift masks?

April 3: Cleaning Review

What is the best dienfectant for surfaces?

https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2020/03/25/best-surface-disinfectant.aspx?cid_source=wnl&cid_medium=email&cid_content=art1ReadMore&cid=20200402Z1&et_cid=DM495147&et_rid=842388617&fbclid=IwAR2435GtiF6qRtGd9tS1dKoR3yVra6SDte8dl2WNrPhWbvHOcWY-fOyfwNo

April 3: Masks Update

Please don't stop making masks for CAREGIVERS!!!

CAREGIVERS are essential in our community!!!

Call Michele at 206-794-5356.

April 3: Joint Comission Statement About Masks From Home

This might of interest to your health care colleagues.

On Tuesday, the Joint Commission issued a statement advocating for hospital staff to be allowed to wear respirators and other face masks brought from home, particularly in cases where healthcare organizations "cannot routinely provide access to protective equipment that is commensurate with the risk to which they are exposed."

https://www.jointcommission.org/-/media/tjc/documents/resources/patient-safety-topics/infection-prevention-and-hai/covid19/public_statement_on_masks_from_home.pdf?fbclid=IwAR3axA4sXUGzyIq5krQzgytc8fAnhHfGBQxC8w1slNPb0irH64dR_D_ZcS8

April 2: PROPER USE OF PPE (Personal Protection Equipment) and CAREGIVER PREPARATION FOR PATIENT VISIT

1) Before making a visit, ask screening questions including whether or not anyone in the home has a fever, cough or shortness of breath.

2) If no one in the home has symptoms of COVID‐19 you should do the following:

• Wear a fresh set of clothing: Wear an inner and an outer‐layer, changing the outer layer between every patient visit;

• Practice excellent hand hygiene and keep physically separated as much as possible; and,

• Wear a simple mask throughout the visit. (PICK UP YOUR MASKS 206-794-5356)

• Change exterior garments and masks between homes and *sanitize shoes.

3) If anyone in the home is COVID‐19 positive or is symptomatic (fever, cough, shortness of breath),

PICK UP A PPE KIT (206-276-5805)

• follow all of the precautions listed above;

• Wear eye protection, gown and gloves;

• Ask that the symptomatic individual wear a mask while you are in the home (which you can

provide), and if the symptomatic person is not your patient, you may want to ask that they stay in a

different room throughout your shift.

4) If someone in the home is COVID‐19 positive or is symptomatic and has a breathing treatment that involves the use of a nebulizer, CPAP, BIPAP, Trilogy, or high flow oxygen (6L or more), you should wait at least two hours after the breathing treatment to be in the same room. If an urgent situation requires you to be in the room less than 2 hours since a breathing treatment, you should wear an airtight mask (N-95) PICK UP A N-95 MASK (206-276-5805)

5) If you provide a symptomatic person in your patient’s home with a mask, you should ask that they help you conserve this needed protection and use it only during your visits. You can provide them with a paper bag for them to keep this mask in between your visits.

6) If at all possible, you should ask that the family leave a trash receptacle outside for you to dispose of your personal protective equipment (PPE) after leaving their home. (you will put your clothes in your plastic bag to take to launder)

*** If you wear plastic or rubber shoes (crocs) you can disinfect between visits with a bleach spray. Mix 4 tsp bleach with 1 quart of water. Put on gloves and spray and wipe off, being careful not to accidentally bleach your pants or carpet in car.

https://www.cdc.gov/…/prevent-g…/disinfecting-your-home.html

*** adapted from Hospice of the Northwest staff protocol

April 2: How to put on an ear loop mask (e.g. simple mask)

1. Clean your hands with soap and water or hand sanitizer before touching the mask.

2. Make sure there are no obvious tears or holes in either side of the mask.

3. Determine which side of the mask is the top. The side of the mask that has a stiff bendable edge is the top and is meant to mold to the shape of your nose.

4. Determine which side of the mask is the front. The colored side of the mask is usually the front and should face away from you, while the white side touches your face.

5. Hold the mask by the ear loops. Place a loop around each ear. Mold or pinch the stiff edge to the shape of your nose.

6. Pull the bottom of the mask over your mouth and chin.

7. Do not touch the inner side of the mask.

How to remove a face mask

1. Clean your hands with soap and water or hand sanitizer before touching the mask. Only touch the ear loops/ties/band. Follow the instructions below for the type of mask you are using.

2. Face Mask with Straps: Slowly lift the bottom strap from around your neck up and over your head. Then lift off the top strap.

3. Face Mask with Ear loops: Hold both of the ear loops and gently lift and remove the mask.

4. Do not touch the inner side of the mask.

5. Place mask in paper bag between uses during the day. Clean your hands with soap and water or hand sanitizer after removing mask. At the end of the day or if mask is damaged or contaminated throw the mask in the trash. Clean your hands with soap and water or hand sanitizer.

April 2: Cloth Mask Update

CLOTH MASKS - 03/27/20 adapted from the Minnesota Department of Health and Hospice of the Northwest guidelines

WHEN IS IT APPROPRIATE TO WEAR ALTERNATIVE (Cloth) FACE MASKS?

If you’ve made every effort to get FDA approved face masks and you can’t get them.

THE CLOTH MASK HAS TO DO THE FOLLOWING:

• Enclose the area from bridge of nose down to the chin - extend onto the cheek - so that no gaps occur when talking or moving.

• Made of washable material that can handle high heat and bleach nd you can breathe through it!

YOU HAVE TO DO THE FOLLOWING:

• Wear a clean cloth mask for each patient.

• Change cloth masks between patients.

• Change cloth mask when saturated from from breathing/when contaminated by “a gross contamination event.” Replace filter every 4 hours

• Remove filter before washing mask with soap/ water and dry 20 min on high heat

• Keep dirty and clean face masks in separate, clearly labeled, containers.

• Sanitize hands before putting on mask, before taking off, and after taking off. Putting in paper bag, do not touch inside of the mask to keep the germs away from skin.

• Have patients or family wear mask if they are showing symptoms (or have tested positive).

• Ask that the family (re)use the mask only when you are visiting.

DONNING AND DOFFING PROCEDURE IS THE SAME AS FOR FDA APPROVED MASKS

• Follow CDC protocol for donning/doffing. https://www.cdc.gov/hai/pdfs/ppe/ppe-sequence.pdf

****https://www.researchgate.net/…/258525804_Testing_the_Effica…

****https://www.health.state.mn.us/…/coronavir…/hcp/masksalt.pdf

April 2: Cloth Masks

Cloth masks with filters are available by calling

MICHELE -206-794-5356

OR YOU CAN DIY

www.huffpost.com/entry/how-to-make-face-mask-from-fabric-covid-19_l_5e834a20c5b62dd9f5d628e8?utm_campaign=share_facebook&ncid=engmodushpmg00000003&fbclid=IwAR0kqlA2ZyrJkIe6FLoT2GEt8JHL_YZyBizafc1yrSEQsM3TQ3EWDBoBGCw

April 1 (no joke): Using alternative (cloth) face masks

WHEN IS IT APPROPRIATE TO WEAR ALTERNATIVE (Cloth) FACE MASKS?

If you’ve made every effort to get FDA approved face masks and you can’t get them.

THE CLOTH MASK HAS TO DO THE FOLLOWING:

• Enclose the area from bridge of nose down to the chin - extend onto the cheek - so that no gaps occur when talking or moving.

• Made of washable material that can handle high heat and bleach and you can breathe through it!

YOU HAVE TO DO THE FOLLOWING:

• Wear a clean cloth mask for each patient.

• Change cloth masks between patients.

• Change cloth mask when saturated from from breathing/when contaminated by “a gross contamination event.” Replace filter every 4 hours

• Remove filter before washing mask with soap/ water and dry 20 min on high heat

• Keep dirty and clean face masks in separate, clearly labeled, containers

• Have patients or family wear mask if they are showing symptoms (or have tested positive).

• Ask that the family (re)use the mask only when you are visiting.

DONNING AND DOFFING PROCEDURE IS THE SAME AS FOR FDA APPROVED MASKS

• Follow CDC protocol for donning/doffing. https://www.cdc.gov/hai/pdfs/ppe/ppe-sequence.pdf

These guidelines are adapted from the Minnesota Department of Health (03/27/20) and Hospice of the Northwest guidelines https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/hcp/masksalt.pdf

Additional resources

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/258525804_Testing_the_Efficacy_of_Homemade_Masks_Would_They_Protect_in_an_Influenza_Pandemic

https://smartairfilters.com/en/blog/diy-homemade-mask-protect-virus-coronavirus/

March 31: Possible changes to face mask recommendations

The Washington Post reports that the CDC is considering changing their guidance on the public wearing masks. (Full article)

The Orcas Caregivers group is looking at how we can support caregivers with masks. But we need to make sure there we are supporting safe practices in using them. Stay tuned.

March 31: Something to Brighten Your Day!

What the World Needs Now - for Virtual Orchestra

www.youtube.com/watch?v=QagzdvzzHBQ&feature=emb_share&fbclid=IwAR0qNR-X7jWj0PRMpb4ikiPxYNAFZwNnGRPxdQG5ItYdpzzBsGccn8diNCE

March 31: Orcas has volunteer nurses to help with comfort care

Kaiser News reports that there is an expected shortfall of comfort care for people with Covid-19, but Orcas has a Volunteer Nurse Group that will help support families and caregivers providing comfort care for their loved ones at home. The nurses will be working with local doctors to see that comfort meds are in the home.

March 29: Mask Donation

The animal shelter and Camp Orkila have donated face masks to us along with many others. We could still use more to be fully prepared. Contact Debra O'Conner, 206-276-5805 by phone or text, or email.

March 26: Emotional Support Resources

THESE MAY BE HELPFUL

● Emotional Support Help Line (1-866-342-6892): Connects people with caring professionals. The services is free of charge and available to anyone, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For additional information, see

https://www.optum.com/covid…/covid-19-emotional-support.html.

● Washington Warm Line (1-877-500-9276): Peer support help line for people living with emotional and mental health challenges. For specific information on COVID-19 related needs, see https://mhanational.org/covid19.

March 22: Masks!

MASKS? CONTACT US IF YOU WANT TO MAKE MASKS FROM HOME. WE HAVE PATTERNS, MATERIALS AND INSTRUCTIONS.

Use facemasks beyond the manufacturer-designated shelf life during patient care activities.

If there is no date available on the facemask label or packaging, facilities should contact the manufacturer. The user should visually inspect the product prior to use and, if there are concerns (such as degraded materials or visible tears), discard the product.

Implement limited re-use of facemasks.

Limited re-use of facemasks is the practice of using the same facemask by one HCP for multiple encounters with different patients but removing it after each encounter. As it is unknown what the potential contribution of contact transmission is for SARS-CoV-2, care should be taken to ensure that HCP do not touch outer surfaces of the mask during care, and that mask removal and replacement be done in a careful and deliberate manner.

The facemask should be removed and discarded if soiled, damaged, or hard to breathe through.

Not all facemasks can be re-used.

Facemasks that fasten to the provider via ties may not be able to be undone without tearing and should be considered only for extended use, rather than re-use.

Facemasks with elastic ear hooks may be more suitable for re-use.

HCP should leave patient care area if they need to remove the facemask. Facemasks should be carefully folded so that the outer surface is held inward and against itself to reduce contact with the outer surface during storage. The folded mask can be stored between uses in a clean sealable paper bag or breathable container.

Prioritize facemasks for selected activities such as:

During care activities where splashes and sprays are anticipated

During activities where prolonged face-to-face or close contact with a potentially infectious patient is unavoidable

March 22: Eye Protection

WE HAVE GOGGLES FOR EYE PROTECTION! KNOW HOW TO CARE FOR YOURS. WE WILL HAVE LIMITED FACE SHIELDS FOR THOSE WITH GLASSES.

Selected Options for Reprocessing Eye Protection

Adhere to recommended manufacturer instructions for cleaning and disinfection.

When manufacturer instructions for cleaning and disinfection are unavailable, such as for single use disposable face shields, consider:

While wearing gloves, carefully wipe the inside, followed by the outside of the face shield or goggles using a clean cloth saturated with neutral detergent solution or cleaner wipe.

Carefully wipe the outside of the face shield or goggles using a wipe or clean cloth saturated with EPA-registered hospital disinfectant solution.

Wipe the outside of face shield or goggles with clean water or alcohol to remove residue.

Fully dry (air dry or use clean absorbent towels).

Remove gloves and perform hand hygiene.

March 22: Gowns

WE ARE MAKING GOWNS! WE WILL HAVE PROTECTION FOR OUR CAREGIVERS!

When No Gowns Are Available

Consider using gown alternatives that have not been evaluated as effective.

In situation of severely limited or no available isolation gowns, the following pieces of clothing can be considered as a last resort for care of COVID-19 patients as single use. However, none of these options can be considered PPE, since their capability to protect HCP is unknown. Preferable features include long sleeves and closures (snaps, buttons) that can be fastened and secured.

Disposable laboratory coats

Reusable (washable) patient gowns

Reusable (washable) laboratory coats

Disposable aprons

Combinations of clothing: Combinations of pieces of clothing can be considered for activities that may involve body fluids and when there are no gowns available:

Long sleeve aprons in combination with long sleeve patient gowns or laboratory coats

Open back gowns with long sleeve patient gowns or laboratory coats

Sleeve covers in combination with aprons and long sleeve patient gowns or laboratory coats

Reusable patient gowns and lab coats can be safely laundered according to routine procedures.

Laundry operations and personnel may need to be augmented to facilitate additional washing loads and cycles

Systems are established to routinely inspect, maintain (e.g., mend a small hole in a gown, replace missing fastening ties) and replace reusable gowns when needed (e.g., when they are thin or ripped)

March 21: Orcas Women's Coalition Response

YOU might want to hear what this group is doing to prepare for a greater number of cases on the island.

https://www.orcaswomenscoalition.org/community-response-pod…

March 19: San Juan County Health Department COVID Update

https://media.avcaptureall.com/session.html?sessionid=954f7007-0554-4f6c-92fa-9b72eccc66b4&prefilter=30,5838&link_id=2&can_id=b6f878152f65dae21a685a5aa6cd6dfd&source=email-owc-happy-international-womens-day-2&email_referrer=email_749188&email_subject=owc-county-update-owcs-new-podcast#disqus_thread

March 20: Living With Someone With Coronavirus

What To Do If You Live With Someone May Have Coronavirus - Huffpost

March 20: Information on Systems and Testing

https://www.doh.wa.gov/Emergencies/Coronavirus?fbclid=IwAR0Rj-3Ln-ApfFuiRo6yLGHcc2LSz76M5k9lXoxXdY-zvEsExMh_YUBWSs4#beprepared

March 20: San Juan County Update

THIS IS A MUST LISTEN!!!

Exactly what I found out in conversations with the UW Clinic nurses and Dr. Shinstrom's clinic.

https://www.sanjuanco.com/1668/2019-Novel-Coronavirus?fbclid=IwAR2GKpE28QOxqRTwRTUEdtF917fKp8fy59azTleIQ7p8Bnuoro7Uff98hDg

March 19: Questions about PPE?

Frequently Asked Questions About Personal Protective Equipment - CDC

March 19: YOUR BEST PRACTICE

1) Don't go to work ill. Standard in home care is to take your temperature before starting each shift and only working if below 100 degrees. Do not go to work with cough or chills.

2) Call your client and check in to see if client or family members have symptoms and if so have them contact their healthcare provider.

3) If you have to relieve another caregiver and your client has symptoms you need to take proper precautions with mask, gown and gloves. WE HAVE THESE FOR YOU AND CAN GET THEM TO YOU QUICKLY. CALL Debra O'Conner, 206-276-5805.

March 19: Prevent the Spread with Clients

The CDC recommends these BEST PRACTICES if you have a client whom you suspect has symptoms of the Covid-19 virus.

SUPPORT your family by reading these guidelines.

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/guidance-prevent-spread.html?fbclid=IwAR1v1oivOnN-nUDgn9uM-0W_2jgofu9rYGbnY5qls_Zq9Ve62D9PsSchRVM

March 19: Information about COVID

WE hope to provide you with information, resources and the equipment needed to inform this assessment and the decisions that follow. Please reach out to us via email!

ASSESS THE SUITABILITY OF THE RESIDENTIAL SETTING FOR HOME CARE (AND THE PATIENT'S CHOICE)

In consultation with state or local health department staff, a healthcare professional should assess whether the residential setting is appropriate for home care. Considerations for care at home include whether:

The patient is stable enough to receive care at home.

Appropriate caregivers are available at home.

There is a separate bedroom where the patient can recover without sharing immediate space with others.

Resources for access to food and other necessities are available.

The patient and other household members have access to appropriate, recommended personal protective equipment (at a minimum, gloves and facemask) and are capable of adhering to precautions recommended as part of home care or isolation (e.g., respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette, hand hygiene);

There are household members who may be at increased risk of complications from COVID-19 infection (.e.g., people >65 years old, young children, pregnant women, people who are immunocompromised or who have chronic heart, lung, or kidney conditions).

March 19: Stay Tuned!

We are working on a site for caregivers to take their clothes to wash separate from their personal household laundry. This will be limited to those caring for a suspected or confirmed positive client.

March 18: Sneezing

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFxgVkslD-k&feature=emb_share&fbclid=IwAR1H4-4LWIY1cOpX16v7Zbzj15vx1r0OMU2vFmTr2pi87vUSJFLtepXvcTw

March 18: ENSURE THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF YOU AND YOUR CLIENT/FAMILY MEMBER

o Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with warm water and soap. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if a sink for hand washing is not available. Use paper towels to dry

your hands (do not use cloth towels that are shared with others).

o Caregivers must wash their hands upon entering the resident’s homes to prevent transmission

of germs and viruses.

o Encourage clients to wash their hands frequently, especially when they have been

outside the home.

Cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze or cough

and immediately wash your hands with warm water and soap.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth as these are entries into your body where germs

and viruses can enter and make us sick.

Wipe all high touch surfaces with disinfectant including kitchen counters, dining tables, other

tabletops, doorknobs, bathroom fixtures (toilet seat, toilet handle, sink and fixtures, phones,

keyboards, remotes after every shift.

Do not come to work if you are ill with cough, fever, chills. Contact your supervisor or standby

if you or someone in your family is ill with fever, cough or chills

If clients have any signs of illness, contact their health care provider.

Instruct visitors/families to stay home if they or anyone in their family is or has been ill in the

past 2 weeks.

Ensure that all emergency kits are stocked to include an adequate supply of water and food

March 18: Start with Handwashing!

Fight Germs. Wash Your Hands - CDC

Clean Care is Safer Care - WHO

March 17: Caregiver Survey

Here is the link to the Caregivers Survey:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1vQWLAyQuaUhVQ_TArWIFN_TpScRo-40obsSiRrV1uQI/viewform?fbclid=IwAR3L3eN4_5kKAuT-iqs6tzPImfCsuFQFvyNs8NRb3i_xL89z8slhSj2wwi4&edit_requested=true

March 17: If a Caregiver or a Client May Be Sick

ANOTHER REMINDER - stay tuned for what a caregiver should do IN ADDITION if they feel sick or thinks their client may be sick.

San Juan County health officials remind everyone that if you feel sick and have mild symptoms, stay home. If you feel you have more serious symptoms or if you are at risk for severe illness, stay home and call your health provider. Do not report to a clinic or to the hospital without calling first. Follow your doctor or health professional’s direction. If you feel the situation is urgent and life threatening, call 911.

For those with Facebook, please follow the San Juan County Health and Community Services Facebook page. We have a hotline at 360-370-7500, and the website is regularly updated.

March 17: BEST PRACTICES FOR CAREGIVERS TOO. CLEANING and DISINFECTING

A list of EPA approved products will follow. WE are recommending 4 tsp of bleach to a quart of water and will be providing this with a spray bottle to all caregivers as a part of the Personal Protection Equipment.

Cleaning and Disenfecting for Households - CDC

March 17: PPE and a Good New Story

CAREGIVERS

We have our first personal protection kits ready for you. We will be sending out a protocol for picking up supplies soon. With the support of Lahari and the Orcas Island Community Foundation we have been able to put together the supplies you would need to protect yourself and your clients if you suspect Covid- 19 infection. We are buying from Amazon, hoping all gets delivered! Rick Hughes is ordering for us. Island Hardware and Island Market have let us buy over the limit. Camp Orkila has given us beginning supplies. We ARE PREPARED.

A good news story that shows how we can all work together.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/well-improvise-a-resource-starved-rural-hospital-steels-itself-for-coronaviruss-arrival/2020/03/14/a724d1ac-6604-11ea-acca-80c22bbee96f_story.html?fbclid=IwAR0I5OaW2b0Lhm8tPg1FuHztYSqEjMtLQm6IPHaB7DQsNZ2tr4-k8u9yXP0

March 16: Household Checklist

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/checklist-household-ready.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2F2019-ncov%2Fprepare%2Fchecklist-household-ready.html

March 16: Help for Caregivers

With the generous support of the OICF and Lahari this group has been formed to offer information and resources to paid and family caregivers on Orcas Island. We will provide CDC, Washington DOH, San Juan County and Orcas Island health service guidelines for caregivers. In the coming days, supplies for safety in caregiving will be available for caregivers.