Viral Mitigation Protocols & Vaccinations
Martha’s Hands has been a leader in the COVID Mitigation Strategy for both our organization as well as the local and state response.
The two main goals are:
- Protect the vulnerable elder population from infection by safely caring for them in their homes, minimize service delays/cancellations while avoiding unnecessary hospital visits or nursing home placements.
- Protect our Caregivers as part of the Essential Healthcare Workforce by reinforcing and enhancing our Virus Mitigation Program while providing them with Personal Protective Equipment and opportunities to secure Vaccinations and Medical Support as needed.
Our current COVID Response:
COVID Mitigation Protocols
Since March of 2020, Martha’s Hands has instituted COVID Mitigation protocols for our Caregivers. We have followed guidance from the CDC, Missouri Health Department, St. Louis County Health Department, Missouri Alliance for Home Care and the Home Care Association of America.
The main elements of these Protocols include:
- Self-Health Check: Caregivers conduct their own Self-Health Check prior to leaving their homes. They verify that they don’t have a fever or any COVID-related symptoms prior to going to a client’s home. If they do have symptoms, they call our office. They will not work until cleared to return by a medical professional & negative COVID Test.
- WWWDD: The foundation to our COVID
Mitigation Protocols in the home:
- Wear Mask: Upon entering and during their shift in the client’s home.
- Wash Hands: Upon entering and often during their shift.
- Wear Gloves: With all personal contact with our client.
- Disinfect Surfaces: Especially commonly used areas in kitchen and bathroom.
- Maintain Physical Distance: When possible and there is no client safety risk.
- We are directing all Care Team Members to continue our COVID Mitigation Protocols regardless of their Vaccination Status.
COVID Vaccinations
Martha’s Hands has been a strong proponent of COVID Vaccinations. We took a leadership role in January of 2020 to organize two Home Care Industry Vaccination Events. These events helped vaccinate over 1500 Home Care Employees from 35 Home Care Agencies. In addition, we coordinated a Booster Event in November, 2021 in which 500 Home Care Employees received their Booster Vaccination. Martha’s Hands was recognized by the Missouri Alliance for Home Care for these Vaccination Efforts.
While we continue to consistently communicate the benefit of the
COVID Vaccine and Booster to our Caregivers, we also respect the fact that taking
any vaccine is a personal, health-care decision for all our team
members. With no current National or State Vaccination Mandate in
effect, we continue to monitor these initiatives to ensure compliance should
such mandates become active at a future date. As a leader in local home
care health and safety, Martha’s Hands continues to develop incentives,
strategies and solutions to encourage all of our Caregivers to be
vaccinated.
COVID MITIGATION SUCCESS:
Since the beginning of this pandemic, our COVID Mitigation Protocols have been extremely effective. Less than 1/4 of one percent of our clients contracted COVID.
Caregiver Personal Responsibility: Since they are working with a vulnerable population, we encourage our Caregivers to follow CDC Guidance to reduce their chances of exposure. These included:
- Wear Masks in public settings where you are unable to maintain physical distancing
- Washing their hands often with soap and water or alcohol-based sanitizer
- Avoid touching their eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands
- Disinfect surfaces in their homes often
- Avoid close contact with people, especially if they were sick
- Covering their mouths and noses when coughing or sneezing
Caregivers are encouraged to wear a personal mask when they leave their home and when conducting their personal business in the community. When requested, we provided masks for their personal use.
If you are a client, family member, Caregiver or Care Partner, please let us know if you have any questions about our Safe Home Care.