There have been recent updates to The Pediatric Security Program and The Infant Security Program Policies. 

Attached are huddle cards for review to serve as a reference guide for important components within the program policies. 

Infant Security

Pediatric Security

Thank you for your DEDICATION to patient care!

All facilities in the EFD will be transitioning to using Plain Language to announce emergency codes/alerts – Medical, Security, & Facility.  We are converting to this format of announcing our codes to improve the safety and responsiveness of all within our facilities – our patients, visitors, and staff. We are not changing how the staff calls codes, what will change is how the operator announces codes. 

Please review the attached huddle card and ensure you are aware of the Emergency alert process for your facility. 

Emergency Codes

Thank you for your attention to PATIENT SAFETY!

Our partners in the Capital Division at CJW have shared some education regarding the current safety standards for PPE usage and Infection Prevention. 

REMINDERs:

Ensure we are following appropriate PPE measures at all times.

• Universal masking is still in full swing- please ensure you are masking up as you enter the facility each day and continue with the appropriate mask per your patient population throughout your shift.
• All direct patient care requires both a mask and face shield/goggles
• All non-COVID patient interactions require at least a mask, eye covering/face shield, and appropriate hand hygiene.
• Goggles are to be worn in all patient care areas, including the halls
• Safety Stand-Down

Please make sure you are adhering to the facilty specific PPE utilization and safety standards. 

Thank you for your dedication to Patient Care!

Please review the provided document in reference to level of mask protection and eye protection. 

In order to ensure protection, please continue universal masking and eye protection for care of all patients.

Masking/Eye Protection

Thank YOU for ALL you DO!

Thank you for all you Do!

The HCA Team has created some videos accessible from QR codes on:

• Donning Reused Cloth Gowns
• Doffing Reused Cloth Gowns
• Donning/Doffing PPE

To access the video, scan the QR code from your camera function on your phone.  You should get a pop-up to open a browser to view the video. 

Donning and Doffing

Thank you for you DEDICATION to patient care!

What precautionary actions are being taken to safeguard our facilities?

 A: We are taking measures to have a more controlled environment in our care sites that will limit entry into hospitals and clinics. This will help ensure screening occurs prior to entry into patient care areas so that masks are provided to patients with respiratory symptoms. As we often do during heavy influenza outbreaks, visitor restrictions will be instituted in patient care areas. Colleagues will be included among those who will be screened before entering our hospitals and other care sites. In addition, universal masking and social distancing are implemented at workplace. Employees are to keep the mask on at all times during work hours and to eat lunch alone or 6 feet away from others.

Q: How can the infection of healthcare workers be prevented?

 A: Our caregivers are skilled and experienced in caring for patients with flu-like illnesses and we are re-emphasizing infection prevention protocols and the latest guidance from the CDC. The experience of treating coronavirus in the U.S. and other first world countries has shown that the use of standard respiratory precautions has prevented the infection of healthcare workers, who we count on to stay healthy to take care of all patients.

Q: What does infection prevention entail?

 A: Infection prevention includes processes for screening potential coronavirus patients, and the proper use of isolation procedures. Additionally, our facilities are reinforcing effective environmental cleaning and visitor policies that support infection control. 

Q: How is the virus impacting the distribution and conversation of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)?

 A: Because so much of the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), such as gowns and masks used to protect our patients, colleagues and visitors from the spread of infections, is made in China where this virus originated, this is another area of emphasis. We are promoting the conservation of these important supplies, preparing to share supplies within our markets to help ensure continued availability while also actively working to identify alternative sources of PPE.

Q: How can I personally prepare myself to avoid exposure/infection?

A: When considering personal preparedness, it is important to keep a few points in mind. First, infectious disease experts are emphasizing that coronavirus causes an illness that is similar to the flu. Everyday habits that protect us from common respiratory illness are even more important now. We all can protect our own health as well as the health of our family members and community by remembering:

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
• Stay home when you are sick
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue
• Practice good hand hygiene by washing your hands often, using either soap and water or alcohol-based hand gel for at least 20 seconds
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe
• Avoid areas with large crowd and practice social distancing-keep 6 feet away from others.

Q: What is the protocol if a patient presents as a potential COVID-19 case?

A: Under the new CDC guidelines, the patient will be immediately tested and isolated. Potentially exposed employees will be identified. Those who are deemed exposed per the CDC definition of “exposure” will be contacted by employee health to monitor themselves for 14 days from the date of exposure. Symptomatic employees will be removed from workplace and be tested. 

COVID 19 FAQs for Furloughed Clinicians

 I understand that I am being asked to remain home from work, why?

In exposures we follow a process called quarantine.  Your safety and the safety of our patients is our top priority, it has determined that you may have been exposed to a patient/coworker with the new novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and is experiencing symptoms. Since this infection can be contagious, even with mild symptoms, it is safest for patients and other staff for you to remain outside the workplace. For additional questions regarding exposure to COVID-19 from work or community, please contact employee health for further instructions.

hat does it mean to be under quarantine?

Typically, being under quarantine means that you must limit your travel and contact with others, including potentially staying within your home.  Your hospital is working with the local department of public health, which is the entity that requires quarantine, to get further details.  The Department of Health will be in contact with you and provide specific details of its expectations.

What about other members of my household – can they be with me?

 The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends no special actions for those sharing a household for someone under quarantine.

What about if I was exposed outside of work?

Please report to HWS immediately if you believe that you have been exposed outside of workplace to COVID-19 positive individuals. Please report to HWS immediately if you are experiencing any symptoms concerning COVID-19, even if your source of exposure cannot be identified at the time. Employee Health will be notified and will reach out to provide you information on next steps to safely return to work.

Will I be paid while I am being furloughed?

 Were you infected while working?

• If you test positive to COVID-19 as a result of a documented work-related exposure to any patient, visitor, contractor, vendor or fellow employee that is positive for COVID-19, you will be asked to remain at home and you will not be placed on the hospital schedule over the next 10 days counting from onset of symptoms or date of testing (please follow specific instructions from employee health regarding quarantine time frame). During this time, you will receive compensation for all scheduled hours missed during this period at the base rate.  Your employer will also file a workers comp medical claim to cover expenses after the defined quarantine period is over if necessary. However, you must be COVID-19 positive with a confirmed positive source.

Will someone be in contact with me while I am away from work?

 Our Employee Health Nurse, will call you to check in and assist with answering questions that you may have. This conversation will include checking in on how you are feeling and if you are having any symptoms that may need medical treatment – fever, shortness of breath, body aches, runny nose, etc.

 Where can I get more information about my potential exposure?

 Please go to https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/guidance-risk-assesment-hcp.html for comprehensive guidance.

Should you have questions while you are away from the hospital, contact our Employee Health Nurse @ Lilly.Ranney@HealthTrustWS.com

• Everyone in the hospital environment will be masked
• Patients will wear level 1 masks when outside of their treatment rooms or when face to face with HCPs during care
• Visitors will wear personal masks or be provided with a level 1 if needed
• Non-clinical staff will wear level 1 masks at all times
• Clinical staff will wear the appropriate level of mask for the clinical situation
• Staff - universal eye protection for ED, ICU, and other high risk areas
• Staff - eye protection when face to face care and patient cannot mask
• Staff - fit tested N95 with full face shield for ALL AGP

Please review attached education-Mask Level Required and Huddle Highlights.

PPE Guidance

PPE Huddle Care

Thank you for your HARD WORK AND DEDICATION to PATIENT CARE!

Please use the link below as guidance from the CDC for infection prevention and control recommendations.  The guidance is based on the current available information/situation in the United States for COVID-19.

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/infection-control-recommendations.html

Thank you for your continued DEDICATION to patient care!

The world has changed, but the core of our nurses has not. Our daily lives have been upended, but our nurses stand up, show up and give patients the compassion and care they need and deserve.

The World Health Organization (WHO) designated 2020 as the “Year of the Nurse,” and while this designation was announced prior to COVID-19, we cannot think of a better time to honor and recognize nurses for their commitment to the profession. Just like Florence Nightingale did 200 years ago, our nurses lean in and are a light in the darkness. They continue to compassionately and selflessly serve humanity and their valuable contribution will have saved the world.

In the “Year of the Nurse,” we find ourselves depending on the resilience of nurses now more than ever. With new challenges appearing daily, nurses continue to show up for society and deliver quality care with extraordinary skill. For that we are most grateful.

While this pandemic has brought a sense of uncertainty, one thing remains constant: the dedication of nurses to serving the needs of our community. We want to sincerely thank the incredible nurses at HealthTrust Workforce Solutions who are going above and beyond to live out our mission every day that “above all else, we are committed to the care and improvement of human life.”

Nursing Now has launched the Nightingale Challenge, which asks every health employer around the world to provide leadership and development training for a group of their young nurses and midwives during 2020. In coordination with our parent company, HCA Healthcare, HealthTrust Workforce Solutions is proud to offer newly registered nurses the opportunity to join our Specialty Training Apprenticeship for Registered Nurses (StaRN) Program. The StaRN Program is offered across the country and features a comprehensive range of nursing specialties. To learn more about the program, click here. 

Thank you for all you are and what you do. This is your year. Happy Nurses Week!