The arrival of COVID-19 in February 2020 presented an unprecedented challenge to care homes across the UK (as well as the wider world). Although infection control strategies have always actively been in place in care home environments, the scale and rapid pace of implementation required to meet COVID-19 head-on was a massive task. It involved changes to procedures and practices, staff training and clear communication to the care teams as well as to residents and their families. Due to the swift and decisive action from the management team here at St. Peter’s Court Care Home in Maldon, and the ongoing adaptation of increased infection prevention measures, we have remained COVID free throughout the pandemic.
As well as being COVID free, the roll-out of the vaccination programme at the start of 2021 has meant that all residents and staff at St. Peter’s Court have now been fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
So as life starts to become slightly more ‘normal’ how have care homes like St. Peter’s had to adapt to move forward in these difficult times, and what measures are in place to keep staff and residents safe?
Maintaining high standards of protection with PPE
Increased use of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) has been a major hallmark of how care homes have had to adapt throughout the pandemic to keep residents and staff safe. Full PPE is provided for staff at St. Peter’s Court including gloves, masks, plastic visors, and overshoes, as well as full gowns (where required). Hand washing stations are present throughout the home and mobile hand sanitising stations and air cleaning systems are in place across the care home. Intense competition for PPE across the health care sector reduced availability, but due to advance planning and purchasing by the Managers at St. Peter’s Court, there has always been a good supply of PPE at the home.
Robust hygiene measures
Science has shown that there is a significant asymptomatic transmission of COVID-19, so by the time a single symptomatic case is identified in a care home, the virus is likely to be circulating amongst residents and staff. To tackle this, in addition to the continued use of PPE, care homes have also intensified their cleaning practices and put additional measures in place. As well as bolstering their already robust cleaning procedures by putting emphasis on areas such as door handles, handrails and bathrooms, St. Peter’s Court has recently installed a sanitising tunnel, which issues a disinfectant spray that all individuals must walk through before entering the home. In addition, a separate entry route for staff – enabling them to wash their hands and change into their uniforms before they enter residents’ living areas – and private staff shower and washroom areas are just some of the new developments that St. Peter’s Court has implemented to keep the home COVID free.
Keeping transmission at bay
To reduce the rate of transmission, frequent COVID testing is now a regular part of life in care home environments. Staff at St Peter’s Court are provided with LFD and PCR tests, which offer rapid responses for staff (who are tested twice a week) as well as visitors. Clearly, this testing is a major modification, but is a hugely important part of remaining COVID free.
Investing in communication
With all physical visits suspended during the lockdown, care homes recognised the negative impact this was having on both residents and their families, so alternative forms of communication had to be established. In addition to sending monthly letters and emails to residents’ families, St. Peter’s Court made significant improvements to its digital platforms via applications such as WhatsApp, Facetime and Microsoft Teams, so that families were able to contact their loved ones more frequently and at any time of day. This method of communication continues to be an option when physical visitation is not possible.
The road ahead
St. Peter’s Court believes it is critical that, as a service provider, they continue to observe the guidelines set out by Public Health England on preventing and controlling infections. Although the situation is improving across the UK, the dedicated team at St. Peter’s Court believe that these infection control processes are here to stay, which is why they have embarked on future-proofing the home via the developments outlined above. It is thanks to the organised management team and the stringent safety measures they have put in place, that the home can proudly say they have remained COVID free throughout the first year of the pandemic, and they intend to keep it that way.
Sources:
– https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/wuhan-novel-coronavirus-infection-prevention-and-control
– https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/visiting-care-homes-during-coronavirus/update-on-policies-for-visiting-arrangements-in-care-homes