Safety and compassion through COVID-19

Houston Hospice works with families to ensure patients’ safety, comfort during COVID-19

 

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Houston Hospice has taken extra precautions to guard patients, families, loved ones, and staff members from the spread of the disease caused by the Coronavirus. Their safety remains our top priority as we continue to advocate for uncompromising, compassionate end-of-life care. Increasing safety and compassion through COVID-19 is our goal.

Cynthia Nordt, VP Development, Houston Hospice

Cynthia Nordt

Safety is Paramount
Earlier this year, as confirmed cases started to rise in the Greater Houston Area, the Houston Hospice leadership team, with the support of board members, made difficult, but necessary decisions to safeguard vulnerable patients from the spread of the virus. To maintain safe and secure on-site operations, visitors are allowed at a maximum of two per patient. In addition, every person entering the building is required to have their temperatures checked, daily, and wearing safety masks is a must. To maintain 6-feet of social distancing guidelines, communal areas are temporarily closed.

Offsite, nurses and support staff are taking extra precautions to keep patients safe. For those patients who still wish to receive home care, our staff maintain sanitized proper PPE, sort medical supplies to avoid cross contamination, wash hands before and after visits and use hand sanitizer often, throughout the day. Volunteer opportunities have been paused until it is safe for all involved.

Zoom Meetings and Remote Staff 
To help our staff balance work and their newfound teaching responsibilities at home, we have granted office staff members the option of working remotely. Sorry to say our nurses are unable to care for on-site patients, remotely, however. In addition, we have been fortunate enough to avoid displacement of our staff during this unprecedented time. Within the coming weeks, we will transition to our normal on-site workforce and hope to be back to “business as usual” soon.

“During the COVID-19 event we have not reduced our staff with furloughs or layoffs,” said Jim Faucett, President and CEO, Houston Hospice. “In addition, we have been fortunate to have normal or near normal patient census and most of our employees have functioned at normal levels.”

Texas Governor Greg Abbot has outlined a workable plan for reopening the Texas economy. In alignment with this announcement, we will transition our employees to their normal work site, while maintaining the highest level of safety and health standards at our facilities, and across our 10-county area of coverage.

“I want to thank our entire staff for the way you have performed during this Coronavirus pandemic event,” said Faucett. “We continue to do great work while serving our community under less than ideal circumstances.”

A Bright Spot in Dark Times
We are reminded why we do this when we hear positive messages from bereaved families. “I have lost count of the number of family members expressing their gratitude for being able to be with loved ones, after weeks of not being able to see them due to hospital and facility restrictions,” said Martha A. Nelson, LCSW, Director of Bereavement Services, Houston Hospice. “These same people are also expressing gratitude that they may call [the bereavement team] for emotional support, and that I have actually reached out to them,” continued Nelson. “In this time of community isolation and social distancing, the support and opportunities we create for presence and caring are making a difference in our community. I am grateful to work for this hospice and for the ways we are continuing to support patients and families with compassion and on-going presence. Houston Hospice is making a difference during this crisis.”

To better serve our patients and their families during this pandemic, we have created a new website that provides helpful information for those who want to learn more about hospice care options, our holistic care approach, and where to begin the process. At Houston Hospice, we continue to make strides as the leading, non-profit hospice care facility in the Greater Houston Area and will continue to serve pediatric patients, adults and their families with uncompromising compassion, social and spiritual support, while maintaining safety and compassion though COVID-19. Visit our new website at www.houstonhospice.org.

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