Page 7 - Protocol for seeing Covid 19 Patients for Home Care and Hospice

Donning and Doffing of Personal Protective Equipment

 You will be supplied with a standard kit with items for approximately 5 days of patient care, including garbage bags necessary for the disposal of
PPE.
o You will be given 1 N95 respirator. This is ONLY to be used if the patient requires active suctioning, BIPAP, CPAP, or has active secretions.
o If not used, keep it with you in a clean environment.
 Your COVID+ kit will be available to pick up at your regional office.
 When you have a COVID-19+ patient, call them on the day of your visit and plan their visit for the end of the day.
o There may be some patients that require timed procedures by a skilled professional, adhere to those times when needed.
o Be sure to complete the pre-screening protocol.
 Donn a surgical face mask before going into the home.
o Only use an N-95 respirator if the patient care includes using an aerosol generating procedure such as: active suctioning, BIPAP , CPAP, or
active secretions.
 When you use an N95 respirator for the patients that require as Aerosolized procedure, the N95 Respirator MUST be covered with a surgical mask.
 The respirator and the mask will then be discarded after use.
o Please note: The patient should be wearing a mask when you are caring for them. If available, give one to the patient to wear during the visit.
Or ask the patient to cover cough with a disposable napkin.
 Leave your tablet and other belongings either outside of the patient home if weather permits and is safe. OR leave your belongings just inside the
patient’s front door or bedroom door.
 Take only the materials that you will need for patient care. Remember you may need more than 1 pair of gloves.

Proceed with visit as normal.

Maintain as much distance as you are able from patient and caregivers when not providing direct care.
 Set up your doffing area by opening your garbage bag in a wide fashion, placing on floor and proceed.
 When doffing PPE, do not snap your gloves,
 Slowly and thoughtfully doff the gown.
 Dispose all PPE in the garbage bag, tie the garbage bag, and leave in the patient’s home.
 Remember to do hand hygiene- when in doubt, wash your hands.
 If there are multiple disciplines involved in the POC, be sure to communicate with your clinical team as a member will have to bring a refill COVID + kit
to the home on their next visit.

Rev. 3/27/2020