In response to the outbreak of coronavirus, all Mercy Health Home Care Services staff were directed to undertake mandatory hand hygiene training to help prevent the spread of infection. Our staff are also required to complete all relevant training released by the Department of Health to help combat coronavirus.
We have also recently introduced new procedures for our home care workers (HCWs) to help protect our staff and clients during this time. Our staff are required to stay at home if they are unwell with a fever or respiratory symptoms, to seek testing for COVID-19 as a priority if they become unwell and strictly isolate if they have been in contact with someone with a confirmed diagnosis of coronavirus. All HCWs have been advised to maintain physical distancing where possible and to use standard precautions when physical distancing cannot be maintained. Upon entering a client’s home, the HCWs must wash their hands immediately, before they touch anything in the home. Once all services are complete, HCWs must wash their hands again and where possible not touch the front door when leaving. While it may sound repetitive, proper hand hygiene is key to keeping everyone safe.
