As an organization dedicated to providing compassionate care to our community, our uncompromising priority right now at Chaplaincy Health Care is protecting those in our care and our team members from exposure to COVID-19 (#coronavirus). As the situation continues to evolve within the US, Washington State and here locally, Chaplaincy Health Care continues take steps to limit person-to-person spread within our community, while serving patients, clients and families in the best way possible.
We are strictly following guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the Washington State Department of Health (WSDOH), and local government leaders and health departments.
Chaplaincy Health Care has implemented the following precautions and procedures:
- Staff who are not involved in direct patient or client care in our Hospice Care, Palliative Care, Behavioral Health and Chaplain contract sites are required to work from home for the next 30 days. We are equipping staff with the devices, technology and support they need to make this as seamless as possible.
- Chaplaincy In-Home Hospice Care, Palliative Care and Behavioral Health will continue to care for patients and clients utilizing telephone, Telehealth technology, and physical visits based on urgency of need. Telephone or in-person screening is being completed prior to any patient or client visits.
- In Behavioral Health, Palliative Care and Hospice Care Telehealth service has been implemented to help alleviate the need for in-person visits.
- Hospice and Palliative Care staff who do visit patients in the home have a PPE kit with them (masks, gloves, Clorox wipes and hand sanitizer).
- We are monitoring our staff for illness and requiring those who are ill to stay home especially if they have a fever or respiratory symptoms.
- We are respecting the restrictions and screening processes in place at local nursing homes, assisted living facilities and adult family homes while keeping in close contact with hospice and palliative patients who reside in those facilities.
- Hospice House staff are assessing all visitors before allowing entry by taking their temperature (on the forehead) and filling out a questionnaire.
- We continue to work in collaboration with Benton Franklin Health District (BFHD) on steps that we should be taking for the protection of our staff, patients and clients.
- Non-essential activities such as fundraising events and meetings have been postponed.
- Due to the high-risk nature of the population we serve, all Grief Support groups and classes, Cork’s Place groups, Step-Up, and Recovery Coalition have been postponed until further notice.
- Repeat Boutique thrift stores are closed until further notice.
We will continue to monitor this situation closely and make any necessary changes as required, while maintaining our desire and our mission to serve others with exemplary care.
The Centers for Disease Control has provided excellent guidance on preventative measures which Chaplaincy Health Care will follow and share with patients, clients and families.
Definitive sources for information for COVID-19 updates:
The Centers for Disease Control
The Washington State Department of Health
The Benton Franklin Health District