At Med-Care Infusion Services, we are concerned about COVID-19, and how this virus affects our members and patients who receive our home health care services.
Although throughout the year progress has been made worldwide in educating the population about a disease surrounded by uncertainty and social fear, there is still much to do and inform society. That is why we are publishing on this blog useful information for patients and caregivers and in this case a post with tips for home care, with suspected or confirmed Covid-19.
Information for patients and caregivers
– Separate from other people and animals in your home. – Prohibit visitors who do not have an essential need to be at home. – Use a tissue to cover your nose and mouth when you are around other people – Masks are preferred but are rare and may not be available to consumers – Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue and immediately dispose of it in a lined trash can – Stay home except for medical care – Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or wash your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub that contains 60% to 95% alcohol – Avoid sharing personal household items use plastic utensils and paper plates – Clean and disinfect high contact areas frequently – High-contact surfaces include countertops, tabletops, doorknobs, bathroom fixtures, toilets, phones, keyboards, tablets, and nightstands. – Immediately clean any surface that may have blood, feces, or body fluids.
How to clean and disinfect: Surfaces
– Wear disposable gloves when cleaning and disinfecting surfaces. Gloves must be discarded after each cleaning. If reusable gloves are used, those gloves should be dedicated to cleaning and disinfecting surfaces for COVID-19 and should not be used for other purposes. Consult the manufacturer’s instructions for the cleaning and disinfection products used. Wash your hands immediately after removing gloves. – If surfaces are dirty, they should be cleaned with detergent or soap and water before disinfection. – For disinfection, diluted household bleach solutions, alcohol solutions with at least 70% alcohol, and the most common EPA-registered household disinfectants must be effective. – Dilute household bleach solutions can be used if appropriate for the surface. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for application and proper ventilation. Check to make sure the product has not passed its expiration date. Never mix household bleach with ammonia or any other cleaner. Unexpired household bleach will be effective against coronaviruses when properly diluted. – Prepare a bleach solution by mixing: 5 tablespoons (1/3 cup) of bleach per gallon of water or 4 teaspoons of bleach per liter of water – Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for all cleaning and disinfection products (eg concentration, application method and contact time, etc.). – For soft (porous) surfaces such as carpeted floors, rugs, and curtains, remove visible contamination if present and clean with the appropriate cleaners indicated for use on these surfaces.
Wash clothes well
-Remove and immediately wash clothing or bedding that has blood, feces, or body fluids on it. -Wear disposable gloves while handling dirty items and keep dirty items away from your body. -Read and follow the instructions on the labels of clothing or clothing and detergent. In general, use a normal laundry detergent according to the washing machine instructions and dry thoroughly using the warmest temperatures recommended on the clothing label.
Manage your symptoms
– Seek immediate medical attention if your illness is getting worse (for example, shortness of breath). – Before seeking care, call your healthcare provider and tell them you have or are being tested for COVID-19.
This page will continue to be updated as more information becomes available.
