Caring is at the core of everything we do. And now is no different. CarePartners continues to provide patients with safe and reliable home and community care services now and in the future, despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

We have made changes to our practices to limit the spread of COVID-19, in line with recommendations from the World Health Organization, Government of Canada, and federal and provincial health authorities. As Ontario Government moves ahead with its provincial Reopening Plan, CarePartners continues to adhere to strict safety protocols when delivering care in order to keep our patients and staff safe. That is our top priority.

 

What you can expect during a visit from us

 

CarePartners continues to follow – often exceeding – Public Health guidelines when it comes to how we are delivering care to patients during and after the pandemic.

• We are screening all patients and household members for COVID-19 symptoms before each visit. This is done over the phone.
  •  If symptoms are present, we adjust our care delivery plan accordingly, aligned to Public Health guidelines.
• Staff wear personal protective equipment (PPE) during every visit, whether it’s in a clinic, retirement home or a patient’s home.
  • PPE works to protect both the provider and the patient. Masks are discarded after each patient interaction in the community setting.
  • If a patient or household member has confirmed or suspected COVID-19 symptoms, a mask, goggles, gown and gloves are worn, whether in a clinic, retirement home or patient’s home. This PPE is immediately discarded at the end of the visit.

Enhanced safety measures across the company

 

Besides the careful, consistent processes we have put in place to ensure the safety of patients and staff during visits, we have made additional improvements to how we operate, including:

• Monitoring and tracking all potential exposure risks among patients and our staff, including mandatory self-isolation for staff returning from international travel, confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis and suspected COVID-19 exposure.
• Enhancing office cleaning, practicing social/physical distancing between work spaces and reducing in-person meetings.
• Educating staff on the most up-to-date guidelines and resources from Public Health and Ontario Health.
• Securing a sustainable supply of PPE for our staff; they have continued access to all the PPE they need to do safely do their jobs.
• Implementing video and teleconferencing technologies to deliver care virtually, helping to limit in-person contact. Read about our virtual care options below.

Virtual care options

 

The pandemic has forced health care providers to think about new ways to deliver patient care, considering ways to limit in-person contact, where safe to do so. Through our CarePartners Connect app, we are able to continue providing secure, quality care to patients who need it – in the safest way possible.

 

Virtual care means providing health care services and resources to patients, without seeing them in person. Virtual care services are delivered through mobile devices, such as cell phones, tablets and computers.

 

Virtual care services may include:

• Videoconferencing consults or assessments
• Sharing educational resources
• Updating, viewing, tracking records
• Instant messaging
• Scheduling appointments

Benefits of virtual care:

• Eliminates travel time to and between appointments for patients and providers.
• Reduces need to leave home for appointments for patients or caregivers who have mobility issues.
• Enables caregivers to participate in loved ones’ care planning, no matter where they live.
• Gives patients more control in managing care and scheduling services.

If you are interested in learning more about CarePartners Connect and our virtual service options, please contact your local CarePartners branch.

 

Doing your part to stop the spread of COVID-19

• Clean your hands often. Wash hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. Use sanitizer when washing is not accessible.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
• Practice social distancing (six feet of distance between people). Avoid close contact with people who are sick. Maintain physical distance in public spaces and avoid crowds.
• Stay home if you are in a higher risk population (e.g. elderly, pregnant, underlying health condition).
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue or in the crook of your arm; throw away used tissue immediately.
• Use disinfectant wipes or sprays to clean frequently touched surfaces.

For additional, up-to-date information on COVID-19, please visit Public Health Ontario’s website at www.publichealthontario.ca.