Rainbow Place Services and COVID-19 (novel coronavirus)

It is very important to us that we protect the wellbeing of Hospice Waikato's and Rainbow Place patients and their family members, as well as our staff and volunteers. Because of the current risks related the COVID-19 virus, we have had to make changes to how we provide many of our services. These changes are temporary.

Here’s an update on what we’re doing at Alert Level 2

TELEPHONE ADVICE
Hospice Waikato will be maintaining a telephone / telemedicine advice service.
• Main phone line (07) 859 1260 – this number will be answered by reception staff from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm and after hours by a registered nurse.

IN-PATIENT UNIT
The Inpatient Unit (IPU) is open for admissions. The IPU has vulnerable patients who are at risk of serious complications from COVID-19 infection. Therefore, the number of visitors allowed, and visiting times, remain limited to protect patients and the staff providing care. All visitors are required to provide their contact details in case contact tracing is required.

• Visitors are not allowed in if they have:
o Cold or flu symptoms
 This includes any acute respiratory infection with at least one of the following symptoms: cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, runny nose, sneezing, post-nasal drip, loss of sense of smell; with or without fever.
 Visitors should be free of cold or flu symptoms for at least 48 hours before visiting IPU.
o Been in close contact with a suspected, probable, or confirmed case of COVID-19 in the last 14 days (these people should be in self-isolation).
o Recent history of leaving quarantine/isolation facility, or contact with a person who has recently left quarantine/isolation facility or is a border worker (worked for Customs and Immigration, on an international aircraft or shipping vessel, or in a quarantine/isolation facility or cleans areas/conveniences visited by international arrivals at airports or maritime ports).

• Visiting hours are 10am to 4pm seven days a week
o IPU doors will be kept locked at all times. Ring the bell to request entry.
o Only 2 people may visit the patient at any one time.
o Visitors will be asked to wear a mask.
o Close family members may visit outside these hours by agreement with the senior nurse on duty.
• All visitors must sign in using their name and contact details and complete COVID-19 screening on the iPad at IPU reception. This is to ensure Hospice Waikato can provide Public Health with contact tracing details if required.
• Visitors must stay in the patient’s room
o To maintain physical distancing, visitors may be asked to leave the room when staff are carrying out a procedure.
• One support person may stay overnight with a patient
o Meals will be provided for this person if they cannot easily leave IPU to get their own food or are unable to leave the patient e.g. they are close to end of life.
• All communal areas in IPU remain closed
o This is to reduce congregation of visitors. However, visitors who need to leave the patient room during a procedure may use the front visitor lounge. They must maintain the recommended physical distancing (2 metres) from people they do not know.
• The Sanctuary is closed except for private conversations between staff/family members. A maximum of four people can be in the Sanctuary at any time to allow for physical distancing.
• All visitors are reminded of the need to maintain physical distancing and to perform hand hygiene on entering and when departing IPU. Cough and sneeze etiquette should also be followed.
• Where possible, patients should be supported to connect with family and friends by phone and/or video calling. Family are encouraged to bring in a suitable device to allow this and use the free WiFi in IPU.
• Visitors should telephone ahead to check on visiting requirements before they arrive at IPU in case requirements have changed.

HOME VISITING BY HOSPICE STAFF
Hospice staff will still be making home visits in-person. Our staff will still be doing telephone and video calls with patients and clients where this is possible and appropriate. Your hospice nurse, doctor or Family Services team member will discuss the best way of staying in contact with you.

You will be contacted before any home visit to check if there is any risk of exposure to COVID-19. If there is a risk, the visit can still happen if essential, but staff will be required to wear special protective equipment and you may be asked to wear a mask.
We will be doing our very best to ensure any patient or family member who needs an in-person visit will have a Hospice staff member visit them.

If you, or anyone in your home, is in self-isolation or has cold or flu symptoms, please let us know so that staff can take appropriate precautions.

OUTPATIENT CLINICS
Hospice Waikato outpatient clinics in person are continuing. However, our staff will still be doing telephone and video calls with patients and clients where this is possible and appropriate. Your nurse will discuss clinic bookings with you if needed.

PATIENT, CARER AND BEREAVEMENT GROUPS
These meetings have been temporarily put on hold. You will be contacted as soon as they start again.

Individual support (counselling, social work, spiritual care) will continue.

If you are visiting our premises, Please DO NOT enter if you:
• Are unwell (for any reason)
• Have been in close contact with a suspected, probable, or confirmed case of COVID-19 in the last 14 days (these people should be in self-isolation)
• Have a recent history of leaving a quarantine/isolation facility, or have been in contact with a person who has recently left quarantine/isolation facility or is a border worker
Everyone visiting Hospice Waikato will be asked to sign in and complete a COVID-19 screening checklist.
And remember, you can help reduce the spread of COVID-19 by following these steps:
• Wear a face mask or covering in any situation where you cannot maintain physical distancing of at least 2 metres
• Wash your hands often with soap and water or hand sanitiser
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces and objects, such as doorknobs
• Cough or sneeze into your elbow or by covering your mouth and nose with tissues
• Put used tissues in the bin or a bag immediately
• Try to avoid close contact with people who are unwell
• Don’t touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean
• Avoid personal contact, such as kissing, sharing cups or food

If you, or your family member, become sick, contact Healthline or your doctor
Contact Healthline for free on 0800 358 5453, or your GP if you begin to feel sick.
• The symptoms of COVID-19 are an acute respiratory infection with at least one of the following symptoms: cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, runny nose, sneezing, post-nasal drip, loss of sense of smell; with or without fever.

These symptoms do not necessarily mean you have COVID-19. The symptoms are similar to other illnesses that are much more common, such as cold and flu.

Stay up to date with COVID-19 developments in New Zealand on the Ministry of Health website https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/covid-19-novel-coronavirus


Thank you for your understanding and cooperation
Stay safe, stay well, and look out each other

Lasted Updated: 01/03/2021 at 2:00pm