If you have a child who requires in-home nursing care, you probably have questions about their safety during the pandemic. Cold and flu season is just around the corner, so it’s especially important that you have the correct information to make informed decisions.

Continuum Pediatric Nursing is taking every step possible to minimize the risk and impact of coronavirus. We realize that our families count on our services for the health, safety and wellbeing of their children, and we are committed to continuing the same high-quality care during the pandemic.

Let’s learn more about why continuing pediatric home visits is probably best for your family and the protocol we are following to ensure patient safety.

The Value of Continuing In-Home Social Services

In-home social service providers include caregivers, aides, teachers, tutors, social workers, therapists and nurses, among others. As one can imagine, stopping all of these services to those in-need would be far riskier than continuing them under tight supervision. Individuals and families depend on these services to keep their loved ones safe and healthy.

However, a child who is medically complex is particularly vulnerable to catching COVID-19 and suffering complications. So what should you do if your child needs help but you are afraid? Weigh the risks and benefits.

Here are some COVID-related benefits to consider from in-home pediatric care.

Avoid hospitalizations

You may be concerned about having someone in your home, but this is still far less risky than bringing your child to the emergency room. And, if it turns out your child has to stay for a few days, there’s more opportunities for COVID-19 to spread. In-home care reduces hospitalizations and prevents unnecessary disruptions to your family’s schedule.

Receive personalized care planning

An in-home nurse is able to provide personalized care to your child. Your child’s care plan is regularly updated to reflect their changing needs and ensure optimal care. Without these services, you’re more reliant on doctors and nurses who may not know your child’s background or condition. This can lead to unnecessary testing and procedures that could put your child at greater risk for contracting the virus.

Greater collaboration between the care team

In-home pediatric nurses coordinate closely with your child’s care team. This allows your child to receive high-quality, consistent care in the comfort of home. If your child’s oxygen levels are down or they are experiencing side effects from a medication, you can get in touch with a medical professional right away and avoid a trip to the ER.

Protect the rest of the family

If you have to bring your child into the hospital or doctor’s office for care, you may have no choice but to bring along your other children, too. The more family members are out, the greater the risk for picking up the virus. It’s safest for people to stay home and slow the spread. By having a nurse come to your home, you can reduce exposure to the rest of the family.

How to Protect Your Family When Using In-Home Services

Of course, nothing is without risk. We are living through a pandemic and there is always some risk of exposure. Many workers travel to multiple homes, which increases the risk of catching the virus themselves and bringing it to others. This is why everyone has to do their part.

Below are some tips that we recommend to our families.

• Always choose in-home providers who have the proper personal protective equipment (PPE). The CDC recommends gloves, gowns/aprons, masks, respirators, goggles and/or face shields.
• Ask about flexible services you can take advantage of during this time such as telehealth or phone visits.
• Follow the CDC recommendations when using in-home services. Here are some key takeaways:
  • Assess your child, yourself and others in the home for signs of illness
  • Stay 6 feet away from the provider, if possible
  • Use masks as appropriate
  • Clean and disinfect surfaces often
  • Wash your hands often

What We’re Doing to Keep Clients and Families Safe

Continuum Pediatric Nursing is taking every necessary precaution to protect our workers, clients and families. We offer essential healthcare services and have been open since the pandemic began. To meet the changing needs of our families, we continue to recruit and hire qualified pediatric nurses.

Here are some of the steps we’re taking:

• Any worker who feels ill must refrain from working with patients. If the symptoms align with COVID-19, a 14-day quarantine is required.
• Any worker returning from international travel must quarantine for 14 days.
• We follow the guidelines recommended by the CDC and have added additional screening measures.
• We communicate any potential exposure to our affected families.
• We ask that families support our efforts by following CDC guidelines like washing hands, cleaning and disinfecting surfaces and wearing masks in public.
• We remain available 24 hours a day for questions or concerns.

Skilled Pediatric In-Home Nursing Care Remains Available During COVID-19

These are unprecedented times, on top of the challenges you already face caring for a medically complex child. While stressful, it’s important to know that you are not alone.

In-home service providers like Continuum Pediatric Nursing will continue to offer the same services while screening workers for signs of illness, conducting necessary COVID tests and following all CDC precautions.

While there is some risk in inviting people into your home, this far outweighs the risks of frequenting doctors’ offices and emergency rooms. Most importantly, your child can continue receiving high-quality care that addresses their physical and emotional needs.

Be sure to check out our tips for staying healthy during COVID-19. We want our families to continue enjoying their time together and staying connected to others using virtual tools. To leahttp://(800) 828-5659rn more about our pediatric in-home nursing services, contact Continuum Pediatric Nursing today at (800) 828-5659 or email us here.