I work private duty home care. Our city has not yet had any coronavirus cases. These are the questions I have put to my agencies:
What kind of PPE is available if we have a client diagnosed with coronavirus?
How many masks and gloves are available? Any N 95s?
How long do the droplets stay in the air after a cough? Does nebulizing a medication cause it to stay in the air longer?
When a client with coronavirus gets Xopenex per nebulizer, what kind of PPE should we be wearing? We have to be right there with the client - 6 feet away isn't possible when suctioning.
What is the policy for isolation when a client has coronavirus? Keeping the client in their bedroom helps, but I'm referring to the nurses. Do we go home at the end of the shift? What about our families? Do THEY have to then stay at home (self-isolate)?
I normally wash my hands when I get home, grab a clean shirt, wash at least my hands, arms, and face, and put on a clean shirt. Maybe I'll start changing my slacks, too. Is this sufficient for coronavirus?
So, are there any other questions I should be asking?
The . . . agency told me that if the client has COVID 19 in their home, the nurse is not to go in.
This is what my second agency told us:
"I know this is frightening, however, we do work in healthcare so we will still be required to provide services to our clients. That is what we do, care for the ill."
So far, one agency has told me that they can't get their hands on any hand sanitizer. The other agency told me that if the client has COVID 19 in their home, the nurse is not to go in.
The client and his family are on their own!?
I hear there is a recipe for home made hand sanitizer using 70% alcohol and aloe vera gel. Does anyone have this recipe? And does it work?
Two thirds cup rubbing alcohol (at least 70%) and one third cup aloe vera gel. MIx together and put into your containers quickly because the two substances don't mix well and want to separate. You can add essential oil to mask the alcohol smell, but that is optional. You can use vodka for the alcohol, but the vodka must be 180 proof to be effective. Recipe can be found published in many places, to include Good Housekeeping. I saw it on the internet.
Two thirds cup rubbing alcohol (at least 70%) and one third cup aloe vera gel. MIx together and put into your containers quickly because the two substances don't mix well and want to separate. You can add essential oil to mask the alcohol smell, but that is optional. You can use vodka for the alcohol, but the vodka must be 180 proof to be effective. Recipe can be found published in many places, to include Good Housekeeping. I saw it on the internet.
Kitiger, RN
1,834 Posts
To clean a keyboard, is it sufficient to simply wipe it down with alcohol wipes?