COVID-19 (PPE) Guidance for Home Care Providers

 


According to the CDC, the risk of severe illness from COVID-19 increases with age. This means older adults are more likely to need hospitalization, intensive care, or even a ventilator to help them breathe.

Moreover, adults with underlying conditions, such as diabetes or lung disease, are also more susceptible to developing adverse symptoms. In light of these findings, the government and public health authorities have issued guidelines for home care providers in the United States.

In line with these guidelines, let’s take a look at some vital considerations for home care providers.

Design an emergency plan

The first part of preparedness is to develop an emergency plan that can be used by consumers and caregivers. The plan should include:

· Contact details, including name and address

· Information about emergency contacts

· Medication information, including dose and frequency

· Details of current GP and any ongoing treatment

· Information about an advanced care plan (if the customer has one)

People who are at risk must keep a hospital bag ready for overnight stay. This should include the details listed above, along with any planned care appointments.

Personal Protective Equipment

If the person has undiagnosed respiratory infections, caregivers should follow standard, contact and droplet-based precautions. Care providers should:

· Use appropriate PPE, including gloves, gowns, and proper masks

· Wash hands for at least 20 seconds before and after each episode of contact

· Employ good respiratory hygiene/cough etiquette

Gloves, gowns, and masks should be disposed of in a separate waste bag. It’s essential to keep these rubbish bags aside for 72 hours before being put in the household waste bin for disposal.


Cleaning

If care workers undertake cleaning duties, they can use regular household cleaning products. High-frequency areas and surfaces should be cleaned and disinfected regularly for the best results.

Experts recommend a two-step cleaning process which includes:

1. Cleaning: This is a vital component of disinfecting, as it reduces the soil load and improves the efficacy of any detergent used.

2. Disinfection: Use a TGA-listed hospital-grade disinfectant that can effectively kill viruses (read label/product information).

If you’re looking for high-quality PPE or disinfection material online, Safety 1st PPE offers a large selection of personal safety products, including Medex instant hand sanitizer, Lysol disinfecting wipes 80ct, and nitrile gloves online. Their products are of premium quality and effective against bacterial infections and viruses.

You can reach the company at (469)626-0056 or email safety1stppe@gmail.com for queries.

 

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