Here’s What We Know About COVID-19
COVID-19 is a respiratory disease caused by a new coronavirus. It’s part of a large family of viruses that are common in people and animals that, in rare cases, can lead to severe respiratory problems, kidney failure, or death. There’s still so much to learn about this new disease — namely, how easily it spreads. According to the CDC, it’s thought that person-to-person spread happens via respiratory droplets among close contacts. And, as a nurse, caring for patients can put you in close contact. When healthcare personnel is on the front lines caring for patients with the coronavirus disease, that brings an increased risk of exposure. However, you were trained, following infection prevention and control guidelines can minimize your risk of exposure.
Protecting Yourself in Real-Time
As a travel nurse, you’re in a unique situation away from what’s familiar. Trust what you know. Every nurse has heard the adage, “follow the protocol,” and that holds. Adhering to CDC recommendations for infection prevention and control is critical.
- Know the Policy: Check with your nurse manager or charge nurse to ensure you know your facility’s isolation protocol. Do they have a particular floor designated? Airborne Infection Isolation Room? Assess and triage patients with symptoms and risk factors for COVID-19 to minimize exposure risks.
- Don’t Skimp on Protocol: Complete each and every step before or after all patient contact or contact with potentially infectious material. This goes for hand hygiene too.
- Practice With PPE: If it’s been a while, practice! Check out this quick guide from the CDC for proper don, use, and doff PPE.
How Agencies Are Reacting
Focus Staff wants to express our deepest gratitude to all of our travel nurses and allied health care professionals. Thank you all for your commitment and selflessness while taking care of all the patients and communities affected during this state of uncertainty with the Coronavirus (COVID-19). We want to make it clear that the health and safety of our travelers is top priority. Focus Staff will continue to stay committed to our values of providing compassion and support to all of our travelers.
We are prepared internally to continue operations to support our staff; in regards to staffing, compliance, payroll and other functions. We will continue to monitor the situation as it is evolving daily. We will bring you updates as they arise. We want You to know that You are our greatest concern and want You to be taken care of. In our continued commitment to our travelers and their family’s safety during the COVID-19 pandemic, we do not want you to worry! compensate travelers for up to two weeks at their then-current rate of pay (and stipends) if they are mandated to self-quarantine due to exposure or infection of the COVID-19 virus.