NOVEMBER 02, 2020-REVISED November 20,2020
Talbot Hospice COVID-19 Visitation Policies
COVID-19 UPDATE FOR PATIENTS AND FAMILIES
Talbot Hospice continues to monitor closely the impact of the Coronavirus in Maryland, and more specifically, in Talbot County. From the beginning of this pandemic, our focus has been on ensuring the health and safety of our patients, our associates and our community, while striving to provide needed services and support for our patients and their loved ones. Effective, Friday, November 20, 2020, we have updated our guidance for home care families and for visitors to the Eleanor A. Koons House (Hospice House).
FOR HOME CARE FAMILIES
We continue to urge families to limit the number of visitors to your home and the frequency of visits. We strongly encourage families follow the Governor’s guidelines for the wearing of face coverings for those aged 5 and older during visits.
We continue to recommend using Zoom, FaceTime, Skype or other video conferencing tools that allow you to see and talk to friends and family without compromising your environment. We recognize that this may present some challenges, but strongly encourage you to use these tools for everyone’s safety.
FOR HOSPICE HOUSE VISITORS
Visiting hours will be from noon to 7 pm daily for 1 visitor per day. Below is a list of visitation guidelines to ensure both our patients and their loved ones remain as safe as possible:
- Visiting Hours are noon to 7 p.m. daily.
- Each patient is permitted one (1) visitor per day. The visitor shall be one of two previously designated individuals and must be the same person daily to minimize the number of people in the facility.
- Once a visitor leaves the building, they will not be permitted to re-enter.
- To ensure the safety of our patients and associates, all visitors must complete a COVID-19 screening survey. If the visitor has an elevated temperature or does not pass the screening survey, they will not be eligible to visit.
- All visitors shall bring and wear a facemask during the entirety of the visit.
- Visitors are asked to remain in the patient room at all times.
- Social distancing and handwashing remains an important part for keeping everyone healthy.
- Visitors will be escorted to and from the patient room by a staff member.
- Visitors shall remain in the patient room at all times. The patient call bell should be utilized if a staff member is needed or when the visitor is ready to leave for the day.
- In the event that a patient becomes imminent, our leadership team will work with the family on a case-by-case basis to make additional accommodations, if needed.
GRIEF SUPPORT
In-person grief counseling appointments and events remain limited at this time. We continue to serve the bereaved through technologies such as Zoom, FaceTime, Google Meets, and other platforms. We also host Zoom support groups for members already enrolled in the program, before COVID-19. We are encouraging anyone who is looking for support to email the Bereavement department so that we can offer a personalized approach. We are utilizing social media platforms, so we encourage them to watch the videos and continue to check back as we continue to offer additional resources and means of support. Should you require assistance during this time, or if you would like to make arrangements for an individual session, please call 410-822-6681 ext. 116 and a member of our bereavement team will assist you.
VOLUNTEER VISITS
We have suspended in-person volunteer visits to our patients, families and community.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
Grief workshops, support groups, and community events remain limited until further notice.
TALBOT HOSPICE COVID-19 SUPPORT FUND-PLEASE DONATE!
As a nonprofit, fundraising efforts sustain Talbot Hospice’s programmatic needs and our ability to provide our services to anyone that needs them. These services are provided by our dedicated staff of nurses, clinicians, and others who have continued to care for our patients and their families while also being impacted by this pandemic at home.
A special fund has been created to support our caregivers and respond to emergent needs as we experience unexpected hardships while continuing to care for our patients every day during this crisis. The fund will also help us purchase urgently needed personal protective equipment and medical supplies our caregivers use daily.
On behalf of the entire Talbot Hospice family, thank you for your understanding and on-going support.
Should you have questions regarding these procedures, please contact Talbot Hospice Compliance Officer, Mary Jane Meintzer, at mjmeintzer@talbothospice.org or 410-822-6681.
For the latest updates on the Coronavirus Outbreak, please visit the CDC website, the Talbot County Health Department or Governor Hogan's Office.
