As Americans head into a new Fall Season, many employers are grappling with a COVID-19 pandemic that is still very much alive. And despite the known risks, business strategies are shifting from “waiting it out” to “moving forward with enhanced safety precautions.” The reality is life is moving forward, and companies now must now contend with resuming business while mitigating infection risk.
Fortunately, some healthcare companies, such as BrightStar Care of Torrance, have adapted to address new demands within the community. These unique home care agencies have long provided registered nurses (RNs) and licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) to assist patients with medical needs. But their expertise can also be utilized to aid employers in the fight against COVID-19.
Here are considerations for business leaders seeking to roll out COVID-19 workplace safety programs and ways a home care agency, such as BrightStar Care of Torrance, can help!
The Big Picture
Companies face a variety of liability risks even during the best of times. From workplace injuries to structure fires, employers must be diligent in protecting their staff, customers, and business interests. But in midst of a global pandemic, the stakes are even higher. A COVID-19 outbreak in the workplace could compromise the health of countless employees and customers while also bringing business operations to a standstill. And then, there is the further fallout of potential lawsuits.
Companies of all sizes should consider their COVID-19 risks and weigh the benefits of implementing a workplace safety program. Organizations ranging from municipal transportation authorities to school districts and private manufacturing companies all face exposure. Investing in a COVID-19 risk mitigation strategy may be a small price to pay in the grand scheme of things.
The Details
Employers who do determine continued COVID-19 risks warrant the implementation of a workplace safety program must then look at the specifics. Questions to ask include: What’s involved in such a program? Are there both preventative and reactionary protocols? Should the medical logistics be handled internally, or does it make sense to contract out to specialized healthcare professionals?
At a basic level, necessary resources include nursing staff that can administer contactless temperature checks to employees and possibly customers. These healthcare professionals must also be able to assess the answers to COVID-19 symptom questionnaires. The combination of daily temperature checks and symptom questionnaires help identify possibly infected people prior to their entry to the workplace, thereby reducing risk of an onsite outbreak.
In theory, some organizations may be able to designate internal staff to administer temperature checks and symptom questionnaires. But most are probably better off outsourcing to a specialized healthcare company, such as BrightStar Care of Torrance. A professional home care agency is best equipped to staff licensed nurses and benefits from existing hiring and vetting protocols.
Full-Service COVID-19 Testing
COVID-19 continues to spread despite lockdown orders, public adoption of face coverings, and wide-spread social distancing. Therefore, many businesses are taking risk mitigation to the next level by regularly testing employees. And when it comes to COVID-19 testing, administration often requires a licensed nurse.
The nasal swab test has become quite common and is generally believed to be more accurate than the saliva sample alternatives. And while not painful to most subjects, it is more invasive and usually administered by a licensed nurse. Employers outside of the healthcare industry are unlikely to have licensed nurses on staff to administer these tests. But a comprehensive nursing agency, such as BrightStar Care of Torrance, can provide the qualified professionals needed for onsite testing.
In addition to helping with test administration, some home care agencies can even submit the samples to a reliable lab for fast results. BrightStar Care of Torrance is partnered with a leading national laboratory that can accurately deliver COVID-19 test results within 48 hours of specimen collection. And the results are immediately available to employers and subjects via a convenient and secure online portal!
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
“PPE” is a term that was used in certain industries prior to the pandemic, but it’s now commonplace among most Americans. And while supplies have increased since the early days of the outbreak, companies must still be cognizant of PPE demands and limitations when creating a workplace safety program.
Employers who plan to administer temperature checks, symptom questionnaires, and COVID-19 testing on a large scale will no doubt find the protocols strain existing PPE inventories. Those who administer these protocols will have inevitable physical contact with others. And COVID-19 testing itself is a close-contact exercise. A nursing agency, such as BrightStar Care of Torrance, supplies its own PPE supplies. So, some organizations may also need to factor in PPE demands when weighing the benefits of outsourcing their workplace safety program to a nursing agency.
Final Thoughts
Workplace safety has long been a priority of most responsible employers. But COVID-19 has rapidly expanded the pool of risks. And the consequences of an outbreak can be detrimental to both the physical health of staff and the financial health of the business itself. Fortunately, some home care agencies have existing resources and are well-positioned to help!
If you are a company owner, business executive, or leader within government, be sure to contact BrightStar Care of Torrance today for a free consultation. Our organization has already assisted private businesses and government entities across the country!
Fortunately, some healthcare companies, such as BrightStar Care of Torrance, have adapted to address new demands within the community. These unique home care agencies have long provided registered nurses (RNs) and licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) to assist patients with medical needs. But their expertise can also be utilized to aid employers in the fight against COVID-19.
Here are considerations for business leaders seeking to roll out COVID-19 workplace safety programs and ways a home care agency, such as BrightStar Care of Torrance, can help!
The Big Picture
Companies face a variety of liability risks even during the best of times. From workplace injuries to structure fires, employers must be diligent in protecting their staff, customers, and business interests. But in midst of a global pandemic, the stakes are even higher. A COVID-19 outbreak in the workplace could compromise the health of countless employees and customers while also bringing business operations to a standstill. And then, there is the further fallout of potential lawsuits.
Companies of all sizes should consider their COVID-19 risks and weigh the benefits of implementing a workplace safety program. Organizations ranging from municipal transportation authorities to school districts and private manufacturing companies all face exposure. Investing in a COVID-19 risk mitigation strategy may be a small price to pay in the grand scheme of things.
The Details
Employers who do determine continued COVID-19 risks warrant the implementation of a workplace safety program must then look at the specifics. Questions to ask include: What’s involved in such a program? Are there both preventative and reactionary protocols? Should the medical logistics be handled internally, or does it make sense to contract out to specialized healthcare professionals?
At a basic level, necessary resources include nursing staff that can administer contactless temperature checks to employees and possibly customers. These healthcare professionals must also be able to assess the answers to COVID-19 symptom questionnaires. The combination of daily temperature checks and symptom questionnaires help identify possibly infected people prior to their entry to the workplace, thereby reducing risk of an onsite outbreak.
In theory, some organizations may be able to designate internal staff to administer temperature checks and symptom questionnaires. But most are probably better off outsourcing to a specialized healthcare company, such as BrightStar Care of Torrance. A professional home care agency is best equipped to staff licensed nurses and benefits from existing hiring and vetting protocols.
Full-Service COVID-19 Testing
COVID-19 continues to spread despite lockdown orders, public adoption of face coverings, and wide-spread social distancing. Therefore, many businesses are taking risk mitigation to the next level by regularly testing employees. And when it comes to COVID-19 testing, administration often requires a licensed nurse.
The nasal swab test has become quite common and is generally believed to be more accurate than the saliva sample alternatives. And while not painful to most subjects, it is more invasive and usually administered by a licensed nurse. Employers outside of the healthcare industry are unlikely to have licensed nurses on staff to administer these tests. But a comprehensive nursing agency, such as BrightStar Care of Torrance, can provide the qualified professionals needed for onsite testing.
In addition to helping with test administration, some home care agencies can even submit the samples to a reliable lab for fast results. BrightStar Care of Torrance is partnered with a leading national laboratory that can accurately deliver COVID-19 test results within 48 hours of specimen collection. And the results are immediately available to employers and subjects via a convenient and secure online portal!
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
“PPE” is a term that was used in certain industries prior to the pandemic, but it’s now commonplace among most Americans. And while supplies have increased since the early days of the outbreak, companies must still be cognizant of PPE demands and limitations when creating a workplace safety program.
Employers who plan to administer temperature checks, symptom questionnaires, and COVID-19 testing on a large scale will no doubt find the protocols strain existing PPE inventories. Those who administer these protocols will have inevitable physical contact with others. And COVID-19 testing itself is a close-contact exercise. A nursing agency, such as BrightStar Care of Torrance, supplies its own PPE supplies. So, some organizations may also need to factor in PPE demands when weighing the benefits of outsourcing their workplace safety program to a nursing agency.
Final Thoughts
Workplace safety has long been a priority of most responsible employers. But COVID-19 has rapidly expanded the pool of risks. And the consequences of an outbreak can be detrimental to both the physical health of staff and the financial health of the business itself. Fortunately, some home care agencies have existing resources and are well-positioned to help!
If you are a company owner, business executive, or leader within government, be sure to contact BrightStar Care of Torrance today for a free consultation. Our organization has already assisted private businesses and government entities across the country!