COVID-19 is primarily spread through respiratory droplets from coughs and sneezes and droplets exhaled when talking. The virus is also contracted by touching an infected surface and then touching the face, eyes, nose, or mouth. Therefore, cleaning hands and wiping down frequently touched objects, such as a cell phone or tablet, that are commonly transported between home and work is an important step to take prior to returning home. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has developed a list of products suitable for use against COVID-19.
Additional tips include:
Remove scrubs and shoes worn while providing care before entry into the home. If possible, wear hospital provided scrubs or carry a change of clothes to work including shoes.
Remove shoes before entry into the home.
Keep scrubs contained in a disposable bag, wash in hot water with detergent separately from other laundry items. Dispose of the bag in a lined trashcan once emptied into the washer.Wash your hands.
Disinfect your cellphone frequently while on the unit and again just before leaving.Consider storing your cellphone in a clear sealable bag as a barrier.
Leave high touch objects that are not essential for home on your unit, such as pens and clipboards used during your shift, disinfect frequently during the course of your shift.
If using a personal stethoscope, leave on the unit in a locker, and disinfect before and after use with every patient.
Wash hands with soap and water upon leaving the unit and again upon entry into the home.
It's also important that your family members understand what COVID-19 is, the symptoms, and the importance of preventative measures such as hand hygiene and social distancing. This along with the recommendation to limit time away from home to solely work if essential and essential visits to the grocery store, pharmacy, or to your medical provider when scheduled or if you seek emergency medical care. Guidelines have changed during the course of the pandemic. If family members must leave home, emphasize the importance of wearing a cloth face mask along with social distancing which is remaining a distance of 6 feet between yourself and others. Continued frequent hand hygiene is essential. Wash your hands upon returning home with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. When out in public and soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol content. Avoid touching your face, particularly your mouth, nose, and eyes. When you touch surfaces that may be contaminated and then touch your face you can easily infect yourself. Disinfect your cellphone frequently because it is a high touch surface where germs and viruses can live. Consider those around you who are elderly or who fall within the category of a vulnerable population when running errands and offer to pick up items to they can further limit their time away from home.