Encourage social distancing at your hospital with these tips

As we incorporate social distancing measures into our everyday routines to mitigate the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), hospitals across the country continue to encourage staff and patients to do the same.

Children’s Hospital Los Angeles recognizes the importance of making it easy for staff members to practice social distancing. Since the virus began spreading across the United States, the hospital has established the following five protocols to protect staff and patients.

1. Screen and mask: All staff, patients, and patients’ families are screened for COVID-19 symptoms and required to wear masks upon entering the hospital. Any staff members presenting with symptoms are immediately tested, and the hospital has established a testing area adjacent to the hospital for this purpose.

2. Communicate: Children’s has posted signs throughout the hospital offering tips and reminders for practicing social distancing successfully. Each day, the hospital also provides updates related to the emergency measures and protocols in place as well as team needs.

3. Utilize telemedicine: Children’s has begun to provide telemedicine services and enable certain employees to work from home in an effort to reduce the amount of staff members and patients in the hospital, allowing those inside to practice social distancing more easily.

4. Reduce foot traffic: Children’s is committed to continuing to serve its patients and has reached out to families to let them know Children’s is still a safe place to take their children for care, should the need arise. The organization also created a drive-through vaccine clinic so that children due for vaccines are able to receive them without having to enter the hospital. For those patients and families that do have to go inside, the hospital has rearranged the seating in its waiting rooms to encourage social distancing.

5. Provide recognition and support: Leadership at Children’s has made a concerted effort to recognize the efforts of all staff members and remind everyone to do their part in mitigating the spread. This support validates all the work the staff has done and encourages them to continue the fight against COVID-19.

Source: Becker's Hospital Review