CORONAVIRUS

This page is meant to provide our families and friends with a summary of how the companies managed by Heritage are addressing the challenges presented by COVID-19, commonly called the “Coronavirus.” This page will be updated regularly. Please contact the individual facilities/agencies with any questions.

“WHAT IS COVID-19?”

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that are common in people and many different species of animals, including camels, cattle, cats, and bats. Rarely, animal coronaviruses can infect people and then spread between people such as with MERS-CoV, SARS-CoV, and now with this new virus (named SARS-CoV-2). This virus has been named “SARS-CoV-2” and the disease it causes has been named “coronavirus disease 2019” (abbreviated “COVID-19”). Source: CDC. Click here for more information.

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“HOW ARE YOU RESPONDING TO THIS THREAT?”

Here are the things we are doing for patients in home health and hospice programs:

Our staff are trained in stringent infection control procedures.

All staff wash their hands with soap and warm water at the start and end of each visit, for at least 20 seconds. They will also wash as needed while they are providing care.

If water and/or soap is not available, staff will use an antibacterial hand sanitizer containing at least 63% ethyl alcohol.

Your care team will use sanitizing wipes to wipe down equipment used to provide care BEFORE and AFTER use.

Equipment and bags are held to a high standard of cleanliness using “clean bag technique.”

Home health and hospice staff will not provide care if they are feeling unwell. They will let you know and will help to arrange for an alternate caregiver.

Our staff are trained in recognizing signs and symptoms of infection and can be your best avenue for early detection and treatment.

There is a lot of information circulating around about the virus – some of it accurate, and some not. Your Home health and hospice staff is committed to providing you with the most accurate and up-to-date information from reliable sources in order to keep you safe.

Here are the things our patients and families can do to help:

Wash your hands frequently using soap and warm water. Antibacterial hand sanitizer can be a good substitute if soap/water is not readily available.

Cough or sneeze into a tissue, or your elbow or shoulder if you don’t have a tissue.

Clean high-touch surfaces daily with regular household cleaners.

If you are not feeling well, avoid sharing personal household items, and stay home whenever possible.

Pay attention to how you are feeling. Let your care team know as soon as possible if you are not feeling well. We are here 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Just call your Home Health agency to reach your care team.

Ask questions! Our staff is always ready to talk with you about your concerns.

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“WHERE CAN I FIND THE LATEST INFORMATION?”

You can review the most up-to-date information from Centers for Disease and Control Prevention (CDC) by clicking this link.

For updates specific to New Mexico such as the number of COVID-19 tests administered and of those tests, how many are negative, presumptive positives and confirmed positives you can visit the New Mexico Department of Health’s website by clicking this link.