Covid 19

Staying safe during Covid 19

This factsheet is for home care staff to help them understand the updated guidance on PPE during the COVID-19 pandemic

COVID-19 is a disease caused by the Coronavirus. It is a new virus and not everything is known about it yet.

The disease can spread from person to person through small droplets from the nose or mouth. These are spread when a person with COVID-19 coughs or breaths out. These droplets land on objects and surfaces which become contaminated.

Covid-19 can be transferred when someone touch these objects and surfaces, then touch their eyes, nose or mouth.

Therefore, it is important to wash your hands and stay more than 2 metres away from people and wash your hands. This is tricky if you are providing care in someone’s home

You will have been told about PPE in your training and in your induction.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, PPE is important to keep you safe.

Before you visit your service user, your company will need to check if your service user is unwell. Some of the symptoms are a fever of 37.8°C and over as well as a new or persistent cough.

It can help to protect you from COVID-19 if it is used properly. It can also help protect your service user too.  

If you have service users or there are others in their house who are in the ‘highly vulnerable’ group, PPE is going to help protect them. The Government has said a person must self-isolate for 10 days and shield from others. This is because if they get COVID-19, they may not recover and get better. 

Your company will have an infection control policy and have information on PPE. Because there is a high risk of coronavirus spreading, Public Health England have given information on PPE to help care workers working in people’s homes.

This is an important step as it is a risk assessment and will help decide what PPE you will need

This can be done by phone. If a service user cannot use a phone, you will need to use PPE until you know they have no symptoms of COVID-19.

You will need may not have the same symptoms as someone who is young and healthy. The symptoms may include confusion or diarrhoea, sore throat, loss of appetite or shortness of breath. It is important that you know about these and tell your manager if are worried.   

You will need to put on (this is called donning) the PPE before you provide care for the service user.

The front door, say ‘Hello’. If the service user opens the door stay 2 metres away. Try not to take your bag or coat into the home. If you do need to, put it in a plastic bag that can be disposed of after you leave the home.

Wash your hands before donning PPE. If you cannot wash your hands, use antibacterial hand gel. You do not need to wear 2 pairs of gloves

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