Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Hancock Health has worked to adapt to the needs of our community to ensure we keep our patients and our associates safe as we make health possible for Hancock County and beyond each day.
As the pandemic grew, we asked non-essential associates to stay home. Now we’ve asked them to come back to work—something we’d never do if we didn’t think it was safe. Many of the new steps we’ve taken to protect our associates are simply following the same World Health Organization and CDC guidelines that keep the rest of our community safe.
Empty Waiting Rooms
If you’ve visited Hancock Regional Hospital, any of our offsite locations or our Hancock Physician Network offices in recent weeks, you’ve likely noticed the empty waiting rooms to ensure social distancing for staff and patients. Patients are greeted by an associate and provided with a mask as soon as they arrive.
Limiting Visitors
In addition to the empty waiting rooms, Hancock Health will allow one visitor per patient starting Monday, June 15. This limits any unnecessary exposure beyond those that need care, and allows us to maintain recommended social distancing standards.
Using Personal Protective Equipment
Associates are required to follow current PPE recommendations throughout their shift at work. Fortunately, we have maintained an adequate supply of PPE throughout the pandemic, ensuring associates are safe when interacting with all patients, whether they are COVID-positive or not.
Rinse, Wash, Repeat
Sanitization has always been a central part of our work at Hancock Health, but it’s become an even bigger focus throughout the pandemic. We encourage associates to disinfect their shared workspaces, ID badge, and phone frequently throughout the day. Associates wash their hands frequently for at least 20 seconds and are encouraged to keep their car stocked with disinfecting wipes and hand sanitizer for their commutes to and from work.
If you’re sick, stay home
From the beginning of the pandemic, we’ve made it clear: If you’re sick, stay home! All associates are encouraged to stay home to avoid exposing coworkers and patients if they show any symptoms of COVID-19. If an employee tests positive for COVID-19, they’ll remain at home until they have met the Hancock Health return to work criteria as recommended by the CDC.
An Extra Change of Clothes
We’re concerned not only with our front line heroes while they’re at work. We’re also taking every step to protect their families and friends when they return home. Associates are encouraged to change into clean clothes and shoes at the end of each shift.