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What is your greatest challenge right now dealing with the current situation surrounding COVID-19? What do you need?
SWP if someone is positive. Communications to employees regarding what the SWP would be – would like to educate ahead of time if possible.
Thinking through the impacts if someone who has worked in a house tests positive. Self-isolation procedures for people living in the house? Staff that may have worked in the house with the positive person. Communication strategies to all stakeholders (staff team, people we support, families). I realize that Public Health will be involved. It would be nice have a better understanding of that process – what exactly will Public Health do, how involved will they be, etc.
I just found the Fairfax docs on another thread – they will definitely be helpful.
We have asked a nurse in the sector to help us develop protocols for DSPs to stay safe during the outbreak 1) generally 2) when someone is showing cold/flu symptoms in the absence of any positive test for COVID 3) if positive for COVID. This would include discussion of what PPEs are needed. We have agreement that once this is developed, CLdS will vet it through Public Health and it will be released to all agencies. In the meantime, I just posted some protocols from New Directions that they developed under Infection Control in the resource listing. These might be helpful for you! Be well.
Thanks Leanne – really appreciate all the work from the whole ABMB team. Any estimate regarding when the nurses will have the draft completed? I realize we can’t control the timelines for review from government…just wondering when we are hoping to get it to government.
I will take a look at the ND resources. Much appreciated.
Our current greatest challenge is helping staff with their concerns about supported individuals who are able to go out themselves (taking the bus) and not wanting to wash hands etc upon return.
Staff concerns with some family members wanting to go out with their supported son/daughter. There has been talk of some staff refusing to work if it continues. Keeping the anxiety and panic in check is difficult.
Thanks, Marc. Understandable concerns. There are some resources in our COVID-19 resource listing that provides some plain language information for people served on why they need to stay home, wash their hands and practice social distancing. But even with lots of resources, we know that some folks might not understand the risks and/or listen to them.
For families, some agencies are communicating changes in policy and expectations surrounding coming and going from the home from the head office formally. I have heard several agencies in the states, that have told families that if they choose to take their loved one out, they cannot return for 14 days. They are allowing one visitor at a time and ask that social distancing be practiced during the visit. We know that at this time, maintaining relationships and our mental health is critical, so anything that can be done to connect safely should be encouraged but right now skype, facetime or telephone calls are what we may need to prioritize with.
Not sure that’s helpful but some perspectives from other jurisdictions who may be ahead of us on the pandemic curve, might provided some context.
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