Employer not offering COVID 19 vaccine in CA

[NightingmaleRN]

Is anyone else in home health, whether in California or elsewhere having this issue as well?

According to CDC home health care workers are considered to be in the 1a schedule tier 2.

My employer is not offering the vaccine and I'm not sure how else to get it. 

There is little guidance on covid 19 precautions and policies in home health and we are often forgotten. 
A lot of home health agencies are small businesses
The staff has to fight for PPE and disinfectant supplies.

I'm just curious if the health care staff of other agencies are facing the same issues.

 

[ap05]

We have been asked if we want it but not officially offered. I guess at some point we will get it but who knows when. I actually have really struggled with hh and covid. We just haven't had any guidance.  I'm frequently very nervous going into homes, not even for myself but more the fear of infecting my patients.  I agree that we are forgotten, and yet we have a very intimate relationship with our pts. 

[NightingmaleRN]

@ap05 that's how I feel as well.. just no set guidance on everything and it's almost been a year. very paranoid about infection control. What PPE do you wear into the home? And what does your company provide?

[ap05]

Surgical masks are the only PPE required.  For covid pts full PPE, however there are so many questions with that. I wear an n95 by choice if I feel at risk or if I've been around people in order to protect pts. 

[NightingmaleRN]

@ap05 you should wear protective eye wear/faceshield as well. I had to push for my agency to provide this as the CDC uses unprotected eyes as one of the criteria for possible covid exposure.  Does your agency provide you with sani wipes ?

[ap05]

Our wipes are disinfectant wipes, not cavicide or anything.  Not sure the active ingredient.  

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

Each state is doing their own thing under President Trumps COVID plan. Contact your County department of health.  My county has non-health system affiliated healthcare providers submit a form to get on waitlist to receive vaccine--- I submitted my request yesterday.

[caliotter3]

Employers made sure to pass along the information needed to get the vaccine from the Health Department. Other than that, one of them provides gloves and masks if the worker wants to get them.

[wheatfree, RN]

My company requires that I wear a mask and face shield (or goggles) and gloves to every visit. The patient needs to wear a mask during the visit, and so do any caregivers who are taking part in the visit and will be present in the room. If the patient and/or caregiver is unable or unwilling to wear a mask, I have to wear an n95 mask rather than a regular surgical mask. We have been provided with all needed PPE.

 

If the patient is positive or suspected to have covid-19, I am required to wear full isolation gear including booties, gown, gloves, n95 mask, face shield, and hat. Did that twice in the last 2 days.

 

I got my Moderna covid-19 vaccine Tuesday. My boss made phone calls and talked to everyone she could until she got the name of someone who made that happen. 

 

All of this had been a giant pain in the rear, but I haven't felt unsafe at work.

[caliotter3]

In Los Angeles county, the county health department offers the vaccine to health care workers.  Another provider at this time is UCLA Health.  You make an appointment and bring your employer ID, or a pay stub, something that identifies you as a health care worker.