What are your responsibilities during this Covid-19 pandemic?
If you develop symptoms of the Virus (flu like symptoms, cough, fever, generalized aches)
Solutions will contact the Occupational Health and Safety Department of the facility / health authority where you are working.
- Stay home:People who are mildly ill with COVID-19 can isolate at home during their illness. You should restrict activities outside your home, except for getting medical care.
- Call Solutions at: 1.866.355.8355
- Avoid public areas: Do not go to work, school, or public areas.
- Avoid public transportation:Avoid using public transportation, ride-sharing, or taxis.
- Phone your family physician OR the Emergency Department where you are working to set up testing and to register your symptoms.
Infection Control
All Healthcare professionals are expected to use Routine Precautions while working in healthcare settings and adhere to routine practices and isolation practices at the facility where they are working.
- Updated PPE recommendations for the care of patients with known or suspected COVID-19:
- Based on local and regional situational analysis of PPE supplies, facemasks are an acceptable alternative when the supply chain of respirators cannot meet the demand. During this time, available respirators should be prioritized for procedures that are likely to generate respiratory aerosols, which would pose the highest exposure risk to HCP.
- Facemasks protect the wearer from splashes and sprays.
- Respirators, which filter inspired air, offer respiratory protection.
- When the supply chain is restored, facilities with a respiratory protection program should return to use of respirators for patients with known or suspected COVID-19. Facilities that do not currently have a respiratory protection program, but care for patients infected with pathogens for which a respirator is recommended, should implement a respiratory protection program.
- Eye protection, gown, and gloves continue to be recommended.
- Based on local and regional situational analysis of PPE supplies, facemasks are an acceptable alternative when the supply chain of respirators cannot meet the demand. During this time, available respirators should be prioritized for procedures that are likely to generate respiratory aerosols, which would pose the highest exposure risk to HCP.
- If there are shortages of gowns, they should be prioritized for aerosol-generating procedures, care activities where splashes and sprays are anticipated, and high-contact patient care activities that provide opportunities for transfer of pathogens to the hands and clothing of HCP.
- Included are considerations for designating entire units within the facility, with dedicated HCP, to care for known or suspected COVID-19 patients and options for extended use of respirators, facemasks, and eye protection on such units. Updated recommendations regarding need for an airborne infection isolation room (AIIR).
- Patients with known or suspected COVID-19 should be cared for in a single-person room with the door closed. Airborne Infection Isolation Rooms (AIIRs) (See definition of AIIR in appendix) should be reserved for patients undergoing aerosol-generating procedures (See Aerosol-Generating Procedures Section)
- Updated information in the background is based on currently available information about COVID-19 and the current situation in the United States, which includes reports of cases of community transmission, infections identified in healthcare personnel (HCP), and shortages of facemasks, N95 filtering facepiece respirators (FFRs) (commonly known as N95 respirators), and gowns.
- Increased emphasis on early identification and implementation of source control (i.e., putting a face mask on patients presenting with symptoms of respiratory infection).
Keep informed about new information:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
As you know, information is changing rapidly. Solutions will be adding new information to the way it manages this as new information is received and will send out updates via email and on the PULSE. We will be posting updates on the PULSE and send out email broadcasts with updates.
Additional Resources
http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/coronavirus-(novel)
http://www.bccdc.ca/health-professionals
https://www.bcnu.org/a-safe-workplace/health-and-safety/coronavirus
https://www.bccnp.ca/bccnp/Announcements/Pages/Announcement.aspx?AnnouncementID=115
If You Become Ill With Flu Like Symptoms While On Assignment:
If you become sick while you are on assignment, report to Solutions 1.866.355.8355 for guidance. Report a workplace injury, via telephone or online at:
|
Name of the Province |
Phone/Fax Number | Name of the Organization |
| British Columbia | 1.888.967.5377 | WorkSafe BC |
| Alberta | Fax 780-427-5863 | WCB Alberta |
| Saskatchewan | Fax 1.888.844.7773 | WorkSafe Saskatchewan |
| Manitoba | 1-855-954-4321 | Safe Work Manitoba |
| New Brunswick | 1 800 999-9775 | WorkSafeNB |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | 1.800.563.9000 | WorkplaceNL |
| Northwest Territories & Nunavut | 1-800-661-0792 | WSCC Worker’s Safety & Compensation Commission |
| Ontario | 1-800-387-0750 | WSIB Ontario |
| Prince Edward Island | (902) 368-5680 | The Workers Compensation Board of Prince Edward Island |
| Yukon | (800) 661-0443 | Yukon Workers’ Compensation Health and Safety Board |
| Fax 902-491-8001 |
The Workers Compensation Board of Nova Scotia |
Self Isolation: If you are required to self isolate for two weeks with a confirmed diagnosis, Solutions Staffing Inc will assist you in managing this by extending your stay, in your location or assisting you with travel to an appropriate location. Each case will be reviewed separately to facilitate appropriate arrangements for isolation. Call your Recruitment Specialist as soon as you become symptomatic.
You will be entitled to compensation, if you have contracted Covid-19 (confirmed) while on assignment through Workers Compensation, and Solutions Staffing. We will work with you individually in your case.
10 Things You Can Do To Manage Your Health At Home
If you have possible or confirmed COVID-19:
- Stay home from work, school, and away from other public places. If you must go out, avoid using any kind of public transportation, ridesharing, or taxis.
- Monitor your symptoms carefully. If your symptoms get worse, call your healthcare provider immediately.
- Get rest and stay hydrated.
- If you have a medical appointment, call the healthcare provider ahead of time and tell them that you have or may have COVID-19.
- For medical emergencies, call 911 and notify the dispatch personnel that you have or may have COVID-19.
- Cover your cough and sneezes.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
- As much as possible, stay in a specific room and away from other people in your home. Also, you should use a separate bathroom, if available. If you need to be around other people in or outside of the home, wear a facemask.
- Avoid sharing personal items with other people in your household, like dishes, towels, and bedding
- Clean all surfaces that are touched often, like counters, tabletops, and doorknobs. Use household cleaning sprays or wipes according to the label instructions.
For any additional questions about your care, contact your healthcare provider or state or local health department.
There is no specific antiviral treatment recommended for COVID-19. People with COVID-19 should receive supportive care to help relieve symptoms. For severe cases, treatment should include care to support vital organ functions.
People who think they may have been exposed to COVID-19 should contact their healthcare provider immediately.
See Interim Guidance for Healthcare Professionals for information on persons under investigation.
