Author: Nicky Jackson, Marketing Campaign Manager, MCA
Since the emergence of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) a few months ago we’ve watched it spread across the world at a fierce rate while taking a particularly lethal aim at vulnerable communities; those with compromised immune systems, such as the elderly or sick, especially those inside assisted living facilities where residents exist together in tight quarters. When the world is calling for social distancing and restricted group sizes to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, assisted living facilities are forced to require residents to stay inside with dozens of people.
COVID-19 spreads from person to person in close proximity, through droplets of body fluid, such as saliva or mucus, from an infected person by coughing or sneezing. These droplets can live in the air and on surfaces long enough to infect many more people. An immediate concern of restricting residents to staying inside the facility is when one person becomes ill with the coronavirus, it quickly spreads to the other residents.
You may ask, how can assisted living facilities help their residents live alone together in the face of the novel coronavirus? The answer isn’t simple, but by taking multiple precautions, improving processes, procedures, and communications, assisted living facilities can greatly improve the cleanliness and health safety of their building for the residents and care takers under their supervision.
The list below provides some of the most critical areas of focus to prevent the spread of coronavirus inside assisted living facilities:
Common Spaces & Private Areas
Areas such as nursing stations, private offices, dining halls, and shared group living spaces can be easily kept secure by locking access doors and installing cameras to monitor the areas. If call boxes are not already in use, two-way radios could be used to easily communicate to those outside of the restricted areas.
Housekeeping, Nursing Facilities & Rehabilitation Service Areas
Reliable communication allows housekeeping, nursing and rehabilitation staff to easily communicate during an emergency or potential contamination breach. Immediate communications and immediate reactions could prevent the spread of germs and possible contaminants. Two-Way Radios provide a cost effective, simple solution to communication needs.
Facility Security
Video surveillance cameras protect your residents and your staff. Easily monitor entrances and exits as well as common areas and hallways to ensure that social distancing is taking place and that protocols and procedures are being followed. Should an incident or emergency occur an incident management system can help to effectively provide alerts, voice dispatch and video recording.
Add-Ons to Existing Systems
Whether a facility is starting from scratch or building on to systems already in place MCA evaluate your current systems and recommend the most efficient and cost effective integrated communications systems so that your staff can connect on any device, anywhere, at any time.
Temporary Work Sites
Should your facility face an outbreak of the coronavirus MCA can assist you in creating temporary work sites for staff managing the quarantine area. We offer easy to use personalized rental services to meet your changing requirements and needs.
Mobile Communications America (MCA) is here to provide Public Safety and Healthcare facilities critical safety and security solutions. Whether you are in need of temporary or long-term solutions MCA can provide immediate deployment with a no hassle, turn-key solution that fits your unique needs. If you would like to find out the best solutions for your unique situation call an MCA Representative today 800-596-8205.