As an organization dedicated to providing outstanding end-of-life care, our uncompromising priority right now at St. Anthony’s Hospice is protecting those in our care and our team members from exposure to coronavirus COVID-19. We know that our patient population is among those at risk to the effects of the illness, and we understand that our patients and families may have fears and concerns.
Here’s what we have done in preparation for COVID-19 and continue to do to prevent the spread of infection across our community.
- We are strictly following guidance from the Centers for Disease Control, the Kentucky Department of Health, and local government leaders and health departments. We are monitoring daily changes in county-level activities as well as federal expertise and recommendations.
- Our clinical and leadership teams are practicing exceptional hand hygiene and have increased our disinfecting processes. We currently have the hand hygiene, disinfectant, and personal protective equipment supplies that we need.
- Our team is being monitored for illness so that individuals who may be ill are not coming to work. We are supporting employees who need time away from work due to illness.
- We are adhering to changing clinical protocols at long-term care facilities and hospitals. We are engaged with our healthcare partners and actively participating in their initiatives to reduce the risk of infection at their locations, especially when we are caring for patients in those facilities receiving hospice or palliative care.
- We are educating patients and families receiving care in their homes. During home visits, our clinical teams are sharing information with families about prevention, screening and signs and symptoms. We are advising families to screen visitors to their homes.
- We have suspended routine volunteer activities.
The CDC has provided excellent guidance on preventative measures for older adults and at-risk populations, which St. Anthony’s Hospice will follow and share with patients and families. We recommend all Kentuckians with questions and concerns follow the definitive sources for information nationally and locally for COVID-19 updates:
The Centers for Disease Control https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
The Kentucky Department of Health https://chfs.ky.gov/agencies/dph/Pages/covid19.aspx
