With the continuing spread of COVID-19 (#coronavirus) within the US and Washington State, Chaplaincy Health Care is committed to taking steps to limit person-to-person spread within our community. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has released a set of guidelines for hospice providers and we are in full compliance with their requirements. At this time, Chaplaincy Health Care has implemented the following procedures:
- Each program within Chaplaincy Health Care’s agency (Hospice Care, Palliative Care, Behavioral Health, and Cork’s Place) will implement an assessment/ screening tool for each patient or client.
- All staff who visit patients in the home will carry a Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kit with them in their cars including masks, gloves, Clorox wipes and hand sanitizer.
- Staff will wipe down desks, devices, doorknobs and high traffic office areas daily to ensure that we are limiting the spread of infection as much as possible.
- We are requiring staff who are ill to stay home especially if they have a fever or respiratory symptoms.
- We are respecting the restrictions and screening processes in place at local nursing homes, assisted living facilities and adult family homes and are keeping in contact with hospice patients who reside in those facilities as often as possible.
- Hospice House staff will assess all visitors before allowing entry by taking their temperature (on the skin) and filling out a questionnaire.
In addition to these procedures, we have implemented additional safety protocols which include postponing non-essential activities such as the Heart of Healing fundraising event and large meetings. Due to the high-risk nature of the population we serve, all Grief Support Groups and Classes, and Cork’s Place groups have been postponed until further notice. We have Grief Resources available on our website [here] and you are welcome to call our office if you are need of assistance (509) 783-7416.
Chaplaincy Health Care encourages you to stay informed via public health updates as information is changing frequently. For updates and additional information please visit:
- Benton Franklin Health District
- Washington State Department of Health
- US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention