Coronavirus (COVID-19) Union Staff & Delegate Checklist

CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) UNION STAFF & DELEGATE CHECKLIST, IS ALSO AVAILABLE IN THE FOLLOWING LANGUAGES:

As we continue to learn the specifics of the coronavirus, it is imperative that we serve as advocates for protecting the health of our patients, families, and communities.

Review this checklist as a guide for the steps you can take within your institutions to help combat the spread of the virus.

INSTITUTIONAL PROTOCOLS & POLICIES

 Review specific protocols for patients who are suspected of or have been diagnosed with COVID-19 for all disciplines (housekeeping, dietary, nursing etc.).

 Verify and review protocols/policies on employee exposure to COVID-19 through work.

 Ensure workers will be paid if they are quarantined (with no decrease to time-off banks) after potential exposure, exposure with no diagnosis, or positive diagnostic test.

 Verify and review protocols/policies on employee exposure to COVID-19 through travel or other personal activities:

• Are workers required to report travel?

• Ensure workers will be paid if they are prevented from working after potential exposure.

 Verify adequacy of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

• Gowns, gloves, certified disposable N95 respirators (workers must be fitted), eye/face protection (goggles, face shield).

 Establish priority access to PPE.

 Verify any emergency changes to current policy on staffing/overtime.

 Verify policy in place for employees to report potential exposure, and be evaluated and quarantined with full pay and no decrease to time-off banks.

 Request any necessary changes to sick leave policy to ensure workers are encouraged to stay home if ill.

 Verify availability and proper maintenance of negative pressure isolation rooms for patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 and protocol if such rooms are full or otherwise not available.

 Verify protocols to prevent racial or ethnic profiling and/or unwarranted discrimination.

TRAINING

 Request that institution conduct in-service training on:

• COVID-19 transmission including any updates

• How to recognize potential cases

• Putting on and removing personal protective equipment refresher for direct care and EVS workers

• Safe room cleaning procedures

• Proper waste disposal techniques

• Avoiding touch contamination

• Removing and handling food trays of patients who may have COVID-19

• New visitor screening and visitor movement requirements

STAFFING

 Plan for ensuring adequate stang in the case of a surge in patients.

 Plan for ensuring adequate stang in the case of high volume sta exposure.

 Schedule additional housekeeping sta to increase cleaning and disinfection.

 Accommodate workers who are pregnant or immune-suppressed.

COMMUNICATION

 Ensure there is union delegate representation on institutional COVID-19 response committees in order to provide updates, reinforce prevention and combat misinformation.

 Ensure management is communicating often with employees about updates and any changes in policies and procedures.

 Set up ways for workers to submit their questions/concerns to union.

 Send facility names and union representative names/contact info to Dennis Short at Dennis.Short@1199.org for tracking.

NURSING HOME CONSIDERATIONS

 Review policies regarding which residents will be transferred to hospitals and which will remain in place.

 Clarify role of CNAs and other sta in helping residents to maintain contact with loved ones if visitors are barred.

HOME CARE CONSIDERATIONS

 Clarify directives to home care workers regarding new infection control protocols as well as accompanying their clients to senior centers and other community settings.

 Clarify policies on access to PPE for other household members.

 Ensure distribution of informational materials in all necessary languages.

Paid Leave Coronavirus (COVID-19)- PDF

- Coronavirus (COVID-19) Union Staff & Delegate Checklist - PDF

- Healthcare Supply of Personal Protective Equipment

- What Healthcare Personnel Should Know about Caring for Patients with Confirmed or Possible COVID-19 Infection

- Handwashing Is A Sign of Solidarity

- 10 STEPS TO PREVENTING THE SPREAD OF THE LATEST CORONAVIRUS | PDF version