Staff Return to Work Checklist

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Menno Place – Infection Control / COVID-19 Return to Work Checklist

We look forward to having those staff who have been off with COVID recovered and back to work soon.  This is a time to celebrate their recovery and welcome them back to a safe, welcoming environment.

Mike Mutter, the Clinical Nurse Educator with Fraser Health, has provided the checklist (below) to review with returning staff to ensure they are prepared for the “new normal” in the COVID climate. This is also for staff who are currently working to review so that we all have the same, consistent message.

Return to Work Checklist

CLICK HERE FOR PDF – When returning to work, you will be provided with the following information – please ensure that you’ve had the opportunity to ask questions and know who to contact if you have further questions. You will be asked to initial beside each topic to indicate you’ve received the education.

  1. What is COVID-19? Overview of COVID. How it is spread, N95 use / AGPs.
  2. Back to the Basics: Remember to practice physical distancing, wash hands and good respiratory etiquette (eg. during your breaks, maintain a distance of 2m apart). Wipe down work surfaces and equipment (phone, etc.) before you start work and at the end of your shift.
  3. Screening process: Upon entering the building wash your hands, apply a procedure mask and eyewear and proceed to the screening area.
  4. Extended use of procedure mask / eyewear: Eyewear and procedure/surgical mask are to be worn in all patient areas or in areas where residents may have the potential to congregate.
  5. Process to follow if feeling unwell: If you are not feeling well, you should not come to work. Please use the established illness reporting process (phone staffing).
  6. Staff movement within the building: Cohorting of staff is important (including designated break rooms and bathrooms). Ensure you are aware of these practices in your unit.
  7. Proper hand hygiene – when to use ABHR (Alcohol based hand rub) and when to use Soap and Water: Use soap and water when your hands are visibly soiled. Use ABHR during donning/doffing PPE and during the 4 moments of hand hygiene.
  8. Glo-Germ Hand hygiene: Practice meticulous hand hygiene mechanics using glo-germ to reinforce proper technique and frequently missed areas.
  9. The 4 Moments of Hand Hygiene:
    1. Before initial patient / patient environment contact
    2. Before aseptic procedure
    3. After body fluid exposure risk
    4. After patient / patient environment contact
  10. Donning PPE (theory and return demonstration): After procedure mask and face protection applied (which will already be on) > wash hands > don gown (ensuring it is tied properly)> wash hands > don gloves ensuring coverage over gown. Have buddy check before entering a resident’s room. Also review completing donning and doffing of ALL PPE.
  11. Doffing PPE (theory and return demonstration): Before leaving room: remove gloves> wash hands using ABHR> remove gown > wash hands. dispose of PPE before leaving room. After leaving room wash hands again before moving to another task.
  12. Reporting a breech in PPE use: If you have not work your PPE correctly, please report this to your supervisor.

I, ______________, am confident that I havee been provided with adequate information related to COVID-19 infection control practices in order to do my job safely to protect myself, residents and my colleagues. I agree to abide by infection control best practices.

DECEMBER 4 – HOME E2 – 1 new positive staff – Total new positives = 1 (T=42) Recovered=4 residents

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THANK YOU ! to the amazing heroes working in E2 Home!
COVID OUTBREAK UPDATE – December 4– 2020 – Menno Home E2
NEW COVID POSITIVE CASES = 1 staff in E2
ADDITIONAL POSITIVE CASE SINCE YESTERDAY = 1
TOTAL COVID POSITIVE CASES = 42– (25 residents in Menno Home E2 & 17 staff Home E2)
TOTAL RECOVERED = 4 residents / 0 staff
PASSED AWAY = 1 resident
ACTION:
  • We continue to be grateful to the staff who are working in the COVID-19 outbreak unit – thank you!
  • Please Encourage the Frontline Workers – they are weary and many are working overtime
  • We continue to contact the family applicants for the Temporary Skilled Worker positions – we are seeking 10 people to join our team
  • Our staffing team is working to fill all shifts – please pray for them as they make phone calls
  • We are grateful for the additional staff support we have received from Fraser Health
  • Families and Friends have begun to decorate the campus! What a gift of JOY!
  • Please send photos of your decorations to connect@mennoplace.ca or post them on Instagram with the hashtag #seniorstrong

DECEMBER 3 – HOME E2 – 9 new positive residents – Total new positives = 9 (T=41) Recovered: 4 residents

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We are very sad to report that one resident has passed away due to COVID-19. This is heartbreaking for us and for the family. We are saddened to bring you today’s report as it continues to reflect how difficult it is to stop the spread of this virus. We are pleased that our staff across the campus are reaching out to their colleagues to encourage them in this very challenging situation. We are grateful that 4 residents have recovered. We are grateful that it has not spread to any other units at Menno Home. Please pray for all who are COVID-positive and for protection over the staff and residents who are working and living in this unit.
COVID OUTBREAK UPDATE – December 3 – 2020 – Menno Home E2
NEW COVID POSITIVE CASES = 9 residents in E2
9 ADDITIONAL POSITIVE CASE SINCE YESTERDAY
TOTAL COVID POSITIVE CASES = 41– (25 residents in Menno Home E2 & 16 staff Home E2)
TOTAL RECOVERED = 4 residents / 0 staff
PASSED AWAY = 1 resident
ACTION:
  • We are working closely with the FH team to provide staff for the unit – thank you to Fraser Health for the daily support!
  • Lada, our Educator is working closely with the Fraser Health educator to ensure that all staff have the support they need for PPE usage and hand hygiene.
  • Our Dietary Manager, Angela, is ensuring that the staff of E2 are nourished – both in appreciation for their work and as a way to sustain them in their tasks
  • We regularly swab both residents and staff who have symptoms
  • There are regular audits done of the unit, including Environmental Audit (cleaning); PPE Audit and Hand Hygiene Audit.
  • We have reached out to the community to come and decorate trees and shrubs at Menno Place to show community allegiance and support. We hope they come!

IN THE MEDIA:

  • The News continues to be fascinated with our “out-of-the-box” program to hire family members – Karen Biggs (CEO) has had many more news outlets interview her on this decision to hire family members.
  • The first two Temporary Multi-Skilled Workers went through Orientation today to start their new job!

DECEMBER 2 – HOME E2 – 2 new positive staff / 3 new positive residents – Total new positives = 5 (T=32) Recovered: 2 residents

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COVID OUTBREAK UPDATE – December 2 – 2020 – Menno Home E2
NEW COVID POSITIVE CASES = 2 staff in E2 Home / 3 residents in E2
9 ADDITIONAL POSITIVE CASE SINCE YESTERDAY
TOTAL COVID POSITIVE CASES = 32– (16 residents in Menno Home E2 & 16 staff Home E2)
TOTAL RECOVERED = 2 residents / 0 staff
ACTION:
  • We are working closely with the FH team to provide staff for the unit 
  • We regularly swab both residents and staff who have symptoms
  • There are regular audits done of the unit, including Environmental Audit (cleaning); PPE Audit and Hand Hygiene Audit.
  • We are grateful to a new member of our staff, Lada Kyslik who is our Coordinator of Accreditation, Projects and Education. Lada worked at Menno Place previously and brings tremendous skills and heart as our Educator. She is working closely with Fraser Health to ensure proper understanding and 100%use of PPE and hand hygiene.
  • 13 prayer shawls are in quarantine, ready to go to the residents in Home E2 who are COVID positive. Thank you to the team of women led by Tina Dyck who create these meaningful gifts – praying for the recipient with every stitch they knit.

IN THE MEDIA:

  • Karen Biggs, CEO, interviewed by many news outlets about our program to hire family members as Multi-Skilled Workers (Temporary positions during COVID outbreak)

DECEMBER 1 – HOME E2 – 7 new positive staff / 2 new positive residents – Total new positives = 9 (T=27)

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The news today is disheartening. We are very sad that this virus is spreading among the staff and the residents. We have worked very hard and effectively for 9 months to keep our staff and residents safe and yet, the virus is continuing to impact and infect.
We are working very closely with Fraser Health and appreciate their daily support. They are supplying supplemental staff to Menno Home to help us cover the gaps. We are as perplexed as they are about how it is spreading.
We will post shortly about how we will receive gifts and cards for the staff. We have been inundated with requests and for this, we are deeply grateful.
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COVID OUTBREAK UPDATE – December 1 – 2020 – Menno Home E2
NEW COVID POSITIVE CASES = 7 staff in E2 Home / 2 residents in E2
9 ADDITIONAL POSITIVE CASE SINCE YESTERDAY
TOTAL COVID POSITIVE CASES = 27 – (13 residents in Menno Home E2 & 14 staff Home E2)
ACTION:
  • Fraser Health staffing assigned to support the staff shortages due to staff testing positive
  • We regularly swab both residents and staff who have symptoms or concern
  • Weekly point prevalence swabs done today for all staff and residents
  • Karen Biggs, CEO, interviewed by CBC and Global TV about our program to hire family members as Multi-Skilled Workers (Temporary positions during COVID outbreak)

NOVEMBER 30 – HOME E2 – 2 new positive staff / 1 new positive resident – Total new positives = 3 (T=18)

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COVID OUTBREAK UPDATE – Nov. 30 – 2020 – Menno Home E2
NEW COVID POSITIVE CASES = 2 staff in E2 Home / 1 resident in E2
2 ADDITIONAL POSITIVE CASE SINCE YESTERDAY
TOTAL COVID POSITIVE CASES = 18 – (11 residents in Menno Home E2 & 7 staff Home E2)
ACTION:
  • Assistance in staffing has been requested from Fraser Health.
  • We are still in the 14 day incubation period and seeing results from the initial COVID exposure.
  • We regularly swab both residents and staff who have symptoms or concern
  • Weekly point prevalence swabs will be done Dec. 1 (all staff and residents)
  • WE ARE ASKING FAMILIES AND FRIENDS FOR HELP: We will be posting an opportunity for family members whose loved ones live on W1, W2, E1 Menno Home to provide housekeeping, laundry or dietary assistance in full PPE. 

November 29 – HOME E2 – 3 new positive staff – Total = 15 – Menno Home E2

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COVID OUTBREAK UPDATE – Nov. 29 – 2020 – Menno Home E2
NEW COVID POSITIVE CASES = 3 staff in E2 Home
3 ADDITIONAL POSITIVE CASE SINCE YESTERDAY
TOTAL COVID POSITIVE CASES = 15 – (10 residents in Menno Home E2 & 5 staff Home E2)
ACTION:
  • We continue to swab any staff or residents who show any symptoms, no matter how mild
  • Assistance in staffing has been requested from Fraser Health.
  • 2 pending swabs for symptomatic residents (families are notified)
  • WE ARE ASKING FAMILIES AND FRIENDS FOR HELP: We will be posting an opportunity for family members whose loved ones live on W1, W2, E1 Menno Home to provide housekeeping, laundry or dietary assistance in full PPE. You will be able to see your loved one.

Menno Home – Emergency Family Essential Service Workers

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Emergency Measures to fill essential service staff shortages

As we face staff shortages in Menno Home, we are doing everything we can to fill the gaps. Staff in essential services are becoming weary and we need to find creative ways to get help from motivated, safety-conscious people.

We have reached out to restaurants, to schools, to our volunteers and to contracted workers. We are at an emergency level of need to find housekeepers in Menno Home. This has come about by the cloistering of staff to work in only one unit for the duration of the outbreak. There are some staff that are essential who can work in more than one unit (ex. Maintenance). The rest of the staff are assigned to a unit and can’t move between them.

Along with this, our staff who tested negative but don’t work on the COVID outbreak unit in Menno Home were required by the Medical Health Officer to stay in isolation for 14 days. This has made it extremely difficult to find staff to fill the shifts. We have very tired staff working in Menno Home. Thank you, all for your service. We are working hard to get you support.

We had a creative idea – one that would be a WIN-WIN – family members could provide essential services and we would give them opportunity to see their loved one (socially distanced and full PPE) by bringing them on as EMERGENCY FAMILY ESSENTIAL SERVICE WORKERS.

We are inviting them to participate in essential services (housekeeping, dietary, laundry and deliveries) in order to get us through the challenges of exhausting our staff and not having enough staff in place to create a safe environment for residents and staff.

MENNO HOME – EMERGENCY FAMILY ESSENTIAL SERVICE WORKERS

As we face the shortages in essential services, such as housekeeping, food services and laundry, we are reaching out to family and close friends to offer their support as temporary relief workers. We have created an opportunity for family members of our residents to be employed with Menno Home for this short time while we have gaps to fill in staffing – and to give our staff relief. Families are invited to work on the unit where their loved one works.

Family members will be able to connect with your loved one, wearing full PPE and socially distanced during their shift. They must be able to physically do the work, including lifting 20lbs. They do not have to be the Designated Visitor. This is an opportunity for children and grandchildren as well. This emergency program is open to multiple family members of loved ones in Menno Home. They will be required to complete a Vulnerable Persons Criminal Record Check (cost covered by Menno Place).

We are collecting names of family members who are eager to help and we will be contacting them for their support. They will be expected to follow all the protocols of the staff.

We will keep you updated as we progress with this idea and find relief for our staff.

November 28 – HOME – 1 new positive staff – Total = 12 – Menno Home E2

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COVID OUTBREAK UPDATE – NOV. 28 – 2020 – MENNO HOME E2
NEW COVID POSITIVE CASES = 1
1 ADDITIONAL POSITIVE CASE SINCE YESTERDAY
TOTAL COVID POSITIVE CASES = 12 – (10 residents in Menno Home E2 & 2 staff Home E2)
ACTION
  • We continue to swab any staff or residents who show any symptoms, no matter how mild
  • As the staff are cloistered (only allowed on one unit) and off while waiting for the full 14 day isolation to be complete, we are desperately needing housekeeping assistance.
  • WE ARE ASKING FAMILIES AND FRIENDS FOR HELP: We will be posting an opportunity for family members whose loved ones live on W1, W2, E2 Menno Home to provide housekeeping, laundry or dietary assistance in full PPE. You will be able to see your loved one. A link to an online form to express your interest will be posted shortly.
  • We are receiving the deliveries of overbed tables (they are arriving in smaller deliveries), putting them together and getting them to the resident rooms for meals in their rooms.
  • We are waiting for 80 more overbed tables to arrive!

What to do if someone in your household is being tested for COVID

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Someone in your household is being tested for COVID

If someone in your household (in the same living space) is being tested for COVID, phone in to Staffing and do not come to work until they receive their test results.

If their test is negative, you may come in to work s long as they are asymptomatic.

If their test is positive, you must go and get tested.