Hospice of Hope's Response to the Coronavirus

March 18, 2020 | by Cbuchanan

Message from Stephanie Hopper, Director of Clinical Services

Hospice of Hope and Hospice of Hope Ohio Valley is committed to providing compassionate care to aging Kentuckians and Ohioans at the end of life. Our priority right now at Hospice of Hope and Hospice of Hope Ohio Valley is protecting those that we serve 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 is what we have done in preparation for COVID-19 and continue to do to prevent the spread of infection at each of our offices and across our communities.

We are strictly following the guidance from the Centers for Disease Control, the Kentucky Department of Health, the Ohio Department of Health, local government, and health departments.

• With offices located in Kentucky and Ohio, we are monitoring daily changes in state level as well as federal expertise and recommendations.

Our clinical and administrative teams are practicing exceptional hand hygiene and have increased our disinfecting process.

• We currently have hand hygiene supplies, disinfectant, and personal protective equipment supplies that we need.

Our team is being monitored daily 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 working one-on-one with such employees to allow time off, without fear of losing their job or pay.

We are adhering to changing clinical protocols at long-term care facilities and in patients' homes.

• We are engaged with our healthcare partners and are actively participating in their initiatives to reduce the risk of infection at their locations. In the homes, we are working with patients and their families to ensure that safety and infection control practices are maintained as well.

We are educating families in our Hospice care centers.

• Our Hospice care centers at the Adams County Hospital in Seaman, Ohio, and the Hospice of Hope Care Center in Maysville, Kentucky, are providing supplies and advising families to practice exceptional hand hygiene and limiting interactions.

We have suspended routine volunteer activities that involve patient care.

• Hospice of Hope and Hospice of Hope Ohio Valley is supported by volunteers who provide patient care support to families. We are limiting volunteer activities that directly involve patients to only those with urgent needs.

The CDC has provided excellent guidance on preventative measures for our older adults and at-risk populations, which Hospice of Hope and Hospice of Hope Ohio Valley will follow and share with patients and families. We recommend all patients and families with questions or 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 Ohio Department of Health https://coronavirus.ohio.gov

The Kentucky Department of Health https://kycovid19.ky.gov