POLICY: COVID-19

The Center shall undertake all necessary precautions to protect its staff, volunteers and clients/patients from Coronavirus/COVID-19.

PROCEDURE:

  1. The Executive Director, or designated appointee, shall be responsible for keeping updated on the impact and recommendations regarding COVID-19 pursuant to the CDC and state and local agencies and shall implement their guidance accordingly.
  2. All non-essential personnel, staff and volunteers, shall be advised to not come to the center until further notice. If their work can be performed from home, those arrangements shall be made, keeping in mind HIPAA requirements.
  3. All persons seeking services from the center shall be screened by phone as follows:
    a. In the past month, have you been in contact with someone who was confirmed or suspected to have Coronavirus/COVID-19?
    b. Do you have any of the following symptoms and/or signs, which include fever, cough, and shortness of breath?
    c. Have you traveled internationally in the past month?
  4. If the person answers “Yes” to any of these question, they should be courteously advised that the Center is not equipped to screen or handle potentially infectious diseases at this time and they should be referred to the emergency room at the local hospital for services or to an agency designated to handle potential COVID-19 patients.
  5. If a person answers “No” and is seeking essential medical services (i.e. services necessary to make an informed decision about pregnancy), an appointment shall be made, and the client will be re-screened and her temperature shall be taken, with a forehead temperature device, prior to entering the center. If her temperature is 99.5F or above (100.4F if using an oral temperature device), she will be courteously advised that the center is not equipped to screen or handle potentially infectious diseases at this time and they should be referred to the emergency room at the local hospital for services or to an agency designated to handle potential COVID-19 patients.
  6. A person who is a client seeking material supplies/assistance only shall not enter the center until further notice. Instead, a telephone conversation with them shall determine their essential needs and a package shall be created which shall be transferred to them outside the center.
  7. No children 18 or under, elderly people age 65 and over or people with compromised health shall enter the center until further notice. With the exception of a minor age client.
  8. A Notice shall be placed on the door to the center and on the center’s website detailing the center’s current policy. In addition, to be shown is the CDC Poster, see attachment.
  9. The center shall disinfect all surfaces, including doorknobs, phones, light switches, workstations, computer keyboards and mice, countertops, bathrooms, etc. on a regular basis per the center’s Universal Precautions Policy and recommendations from the CDC and OSHA. A log of such disinfecting shall be kept to assure it occurs several times a day. The disinfection will occur after every client is seen.
  10. Staff/volunteers are to be reminded to wash hands regularly, to keep the bathrooms and kitchen areas clean, and to be educated on the transmission and symptoms of COVID-19.
  11. The center shall provide alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60-95% alcohol in the reception area and in at least one other area in the center frequented by people.
  12. Any staff/volunteers with possible exposure to the coronavirus through identified contacts or travel shall notify the Executive Director immediately, and before reporting to work. Quarantine will be done according to directives from the CDC and the state and local authorities.
  13. All staff/volunteers at the Center will be screened with forehead temperature prior to beginning work shift. Those with a forehead temperature above 99.5F (100.4F oral) shall be asked to return home and seek appropriate medical attention.
  14. All classes and meetings are suspended until such time as public gatherings are determined to be safe by the CDC and/or state and local authorities.
  15. Social distancing of at least 6 feet shall be maintained between patients in the waiting area.
  16. Surgical masks should be worn by personnel in close contact with clients.