Policy No: AP 013
Policy
Our Agency has established this policy and procedures to ensure that our caregivers and patients/clients associated with our organization are assessed for symptoms of COVID-19, Flu or exposure to others with suspected or confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Track your own health
- Caregivers should monitor their health for COVID-19 and Flu symptoms all the time.
- Symptoms include fever, cough, and shortness of breath but other symptoms may be present as well. Trouble breathing is a more serious warning sign that you need medical attention.
- Caregivers should stay home, notify the Agency immediately, and monitor their health for COVID-19 symptoms if they were caring for the person who might be sick.
- Caregivers should continue to stay home after care is complete if the person is sick. Caregivers can leave their home 14 days after their last close contact with the person who is sick (based on the time it takes to develop illness), or 14 days after the person who is sick meets the criteria to end home isolation.
- The best way to protect yourself and others is to stay home for 14 days if you think you’ve been exposed to someone who has COVID-19.
- Check the Virginia Department of Health website Health Professionals – Coronavirus (virginia.gov)for information about options in your area to possibly shorten this quarantine period. The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) will provide and maintain all available and up-to-date resources, including clinician’s letters, information on infection prevention, testing, specialty care, and other topics relevant for health professionals and their response to COVID-19 in Virginia.
- Use CDC’s self-checker tool to help you make decisions about seeking appropriate medical care.
- If you are having trouble breathing, call 911.
- Call your doctor or emergency room and tell them your symptoms before going in. They will tell you what to do.
Our Agency will follow CDC and the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) guidelines for COVID-19 Testing for our employees.
COVID-19 Testing Sites in Virginia
COVID-19 Testing Sites – Coronavirus (virginia.gov)
Uninsured or under-insured people in Virginia with COVID-19 symptoms can get tested through the state public health lab for free. Please contact a free clinic, federally qualified health center (FQHC), or emergency department to have the specimen collected, or visit www.coverVA.org to see if you qualify for Medicaid.
Our Agency also highly encourages all employee and clients to get vaccinated against the flu during the flu season. For mor information about flu vaccines can be found at: https://vaccinefinder.org/.
When caring for a client/patient
- Wear a facemask at all times while you are in the facility, including in breakrooms or other spaces where they might encounter co-workers or in client’s residence including.
- Put on a mask and ask the client, who is sick or elderly person, to put on a mask before entering the room.
- Wear gloves when you touch or have contact with the person’s blood, stool, or body fluids, such as saliva, mucus, vomit, and urine. Throw out gloves into a lined trash can and wash your hands right away.
- Practice everyday preventive actions to keep from getting sick: wash your hands often; avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth; and frequently clean and disinfect surfaces.
Note: During the COVID-19 pandemic, medical grade masks are reserved for healthcare workers and some first responders.
Clean your hands often
- Wash hands: Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Tell everyone in the home to do the same, especially after being near the person who might be sick.
- Hand sanitizer: If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.
- Hands off: Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Learn more about handwashing.
Clean and then disinfect
Clean and disinfect “high-touch” surfaces and items every day.
Around the house
Clean and disinfect “high-touch” surfaces and items every day: This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, handles, desks, toilets, faucets, sinks, and electronics.
- Clean the area or item with soap and water if it is dirty. Then, use a household disinfectant.
- Be sure to follow the instructions on the labelto ensure safe and effective use of the product. Many products recommend keeping the surface wet for several minutes to kill germs. Many also recommend wearing gloves, making sure you have good air flow, and wiping or rinsing off the product after use.
- Most household disinfectants should be effective. See a list ofEPA-registered disinfectantsexternal icon.
- To clean electronics, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for all cleaning and disinfection products. If those directions are not available, use alcohol-based wipes or spray containing at least 70% alcohol.
- Learn more about cleaning and disinfecting your home.
Bedroom and bathroom
- If you are using a separate bedroom and bathroom: Only clean the area around the person who is sick when needed, such as when the area is soiled. This will help limit your contact with the sick person.
- If they feel up to it, the person who is sick can clean their own space. Give the person who is sick personal cleaning supplies such as tissues, paper towels, cleaners, and EPA-registered disinfectantsexternal icon.
- If sharing a bathroom: The person who is sick should clean and then disinfect after each use. If this is not possible, wear a mask and wait as long as possible after the sick person has used the bathroom before coming in to clean and use the bathroom.
Wash and dry laundry
- Do not shake dirty laundry.
- Wear disposable gloves while handling dirty laundry.
- Dirty laundry from a person who is sick can be washed with other people’s items.
- Wash items according to the label instructions. Use the warmest water setting you can.
- Remove gloves, and wash hands right away.
- Dry laundry, on hot if possible, completely.
- Wash hands after putting clothes in the dryer.
- Clean and disinfect clothes hampers. Wash hands afterwards.
Use lined trash can
- Use gloves when handling trash
- Place used disposable gloves and other contaminated items in a lined trash can.
- Use gloves when removing garbage bags, and handling and disposing of trash. Wash hands afterwards.
- Place all used disposable gloves, masks, and other contaminated items in a lined trash can. If possible, dedicate a lined trash can for the person who is sick.