Table 3.
Themes Regarding COVID-19 Infection Protocols in HCAs.
| Themes | Representative Quote | |
|---|---|---|
| National Recommendations | • “We go by CDC recommendations” • “COVID-19 Mandatory Guidelines” |
|
| Response to COVID exposure or symptoms | ||
| Quarantine | • “Person just returned to US from a cruise. She is quarantined for 2 weeks.” “Paid 14 day quarantine for employees exposed to possible exposure.” • “A caregiver has had fever, cough. She has been tested, not working. Taking 5 days.” “If exposed 14 days off back to work following test, if symptomatic 5 days off.” “Encourage to take day off” |
|
| Testing or medical visit for Caregivers | • “Referred to doctor and self-quarantine. Not allowed to work without a Doctors release.” • “Call Emergency Room and arrange for client to be taken in for testing.” • “We have contacted local health districts to get testing done.” |
|
| Caregivers not permitted to work with Patients | • “Removed caregiver from the active roster.” | |
| Notification of Patient and other caregivers | • “We do contact all of the clients the caregiver has been in contact to tell them.” • “We also notify all persons in contact with the individual” |
|
| Surveillance | ||
| Passive – Caregiver | • “Ask for immediate call if symptoms occur.” | |
| Active – Caregiver | • “Policy is for everyone to take their temp before reporting to work. If 100, we will pay the worker to stay home.” | |
| Active – Patient | • “We call daily all clients and employees and check for symptoms.” | |
| Empowered Patient | • “Instructed client to call me if any of my caregivers come to work looking unwell or coughing.” | |
| Precautions in Patient Setting | ||
| Hand washing | • “We have instructed all caregivers to wash hands as soon as they enter the client’s home” | |
| Disinfection practices | • “All shifts now include disinfecting surfaces, knobs, handles etc. at beginning and end of shifts.” | |
| Education | • “All caregivers have received additional training and support.” • “Re-trained in Standard Precautions and Infection Control, regular messaging regarding mitigation.” |
|
| Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) | • “Provide PPE to staff who are working with patients that present with symptoms.” • “Use of masks gloves, changing scrubs/shoes between shifts.” |
|
| Minimize multiple caregivers | • “We have minimized the staff changes at the client home.” | |