Page 7 - Demo

KEEPING THE COMMUNITY INFORMED
The COVID-19 outbreak quickly grew to a a a a a a global pandemic with new information coming out out daily sometimes hourly Knowing that our our community counted on on us to to to be the the the voice of truth about the the the pandemic emergency DKH stepped to to to the the the forefront to to to provide clear trustworthy and consistent communication At the the onset of the the pandemic we we launched a a a a a a comprehensive webpage dedicated to all things COVID-19 such as screening guidelines the latest hospital visitor information links to to trusted authorities like the CDC and and and DPH and and and much more Important COVID-19 updates resources and and and and news news were regularly shared in in print radio e-newsletters and and social media We adapted the New Day Show our partnership with WINY Radio to to provide accurate and timely information about COVID-19 to to our community The monthly live interviews featured DKH subject matter experts covering topics like what you should know about COVID-19 the importance of mask wearing and and social distancing how to to to explain the pandemic to to to children managing stress and and and anxiety related to to to COVID-19 and and and more Another important component of of keeping residents informed during extreme times of of uncertainty was our close working relationship with the the the Northeast District Department of Health and and other local health partners who joined forces on on on on confronting the the pandemic as a a a a a a a a a a a a larger community We developed special education programming to address the the new challenges of the the pandemic including dedicated radio segments and and virtual community educational forums where health experts and and human services agencies shared pertinent information clinical perspectives and and community resources relative to Windham County HEALTHCARE ON ON THE HOME FRONT
The spread of COVID-19 meant taking extra precautions when entering patient homes Our DKH At Home team rose to the challenge They have diligently followed ever-changing public health guidelines and and and safety standards from
the CDC and and and and DPH to protect patients and and families as as care was provided in in in in the the home focusing on on minimizing risk for infection while safeguarding the the health of staff Safety protocols included
the screening of all home care patients and household members for COVID-19 symptoms and related risk factors prior to to to beginning care and before every home visit screening staff for for symptoms on a a a a a a daily basis adhering to to stringent hand hygiene aseptic clinical bag technique and and disinfection of equipment while in in in a a a a a a a patient’s home and wearing personal protective equipment Despite the the uncertainties of the the pandemic with sheer determination and and concern for patients our home health care care team has not stopped providing the the care care they need This allowed our home care care team to assess patients collaborate with their health health care care providers regarding changes in health health health status navigate technology for telehealth visits and and educate them them on how to best protect themselves and and others from
the the the the spread of COVID-19 As part of a a a a comprehensive response to the COVID-19 emergency DKH At Home’s HomeMakers program provided assistance to seniors with with social distancing efforts by helping them with with shopping and and errands as as as well as as care management services services The HomeMakers program also offered subsidized shopping services services for seniors with financial hardships during these challenging times 5
“More so than ever during the pandemic in-home
care became a a a a a vital part of preventing emergency room visits and unnecessary hospitalizations while keeping patients safe in the comfort of their homes Our home home care team earned the trust of our patients and their families to continue to to allow us to to provide care in their homes While patients delayed medical care out of of fear of of contracting COVID-19 at their doctor’s
office or hospital they have opened their doors to home he”alth care workers Renee Smith
RN MSN Vice President Post Acute Services