Regular routine testing of all care home staff.

Staff working in care homes should be required to present for testing every few days. This is not happening at the moment. Rate of transmission is higher in care homes,. It is obvious the transmission is from asymptomatic staff to residents since they are currently the only people having contact with residents. Transmission of the virus between staff therefore staff should be wearing masks at all times in the care home not just when working directly with residents. Antibody testing for staff to identify who has had the virus, before testing was widely available. Staff with antibodies should be the only staff, if possible working with Covid positive residents. Staff working in care homes should be given the option of staying in the home is possible or other lodgings such as currently unused hotels, as staff fear bringing the virus home to their loved ones. Reconsider supplying higher specification PPE to care home staff working with Covid positive residents. Currently only supplied with FRSM plastic aprons , gloves, visors. Staff uniforms, hair , shoes not protected. .staff are required to carry out close personal care it is impossible to change uniforms, wash hair and change clothes and shoes between each resident. FRSM are clearly not preventing transmission therefore FFP3 masks should be considered. Certainly gowns , head and foot coverings.. Clearer guidance on what routine monitoring/ screening should be carried out In the care home population based on evidence and incidence of most common symptoms, including atypical symptoms, for example loose stools in the elderly population seems to be a common symptom. Collection of symptom data for all positive residents.

Why the contribution is important

All the above suggestions are aimed at early identification and reducing the transmission in the care home population.

by rosiedoc on May 05, 2020 at 04:55PM

Current Rating

Average rating: 4.6
Based on: 11 votes

Comments

  • Posted by waterstein May 05, 2020 at 20:42

    Moving agency care workers from Covid infected homes to remote care sites without testing is criminal.

  • Posted by mikecon May 05, 2020 at 20:46

    Completely agree . The situation with regard to testing and the supply of a high standard specification of PPE for staff in Care Homes has been a disgrace.

  • Posted by MissJulie May 05, 2020 at 21:54

    We have been fully supported working in a care home, we have plenty of the required PPE and have had access to testing for symptomatic staff for some time. Testing staff who are asymptomatic is a waste of time and of no benefit.

  • Posted by Nell5a May 05, 2020 at 23:20

    Residents in care homes are clearly SO vulnerable - and everything should be done to try and keep them safe from infection. Regular testing might also give confidence to open up care home activity - improving life for the residents. People with dementia are showing increased levels of distress as lockdown continues - their routine has altered, they're sensing stress around them and they're not seeing the people who are important to their well being.
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