Keeping You Safe - Preventing Infectious Disease

Keeping you and your loved ones safe from infectious disease.

Lower Cape Fear LifeCare (LCFL) is dedicated to keeping its patients and families safe from infectious diseases. Our infection control program is designed to identify, prevent, control, investigate and report infections and/or communicable diseases.

The program is designed to identify infections/communicable disease(s) quickly; reduce transmission risks of infectious agents, in all settings where patients reside (hospice care centers, home care, or skilled care facilities); provide educational standards of infection control; and ensure appropriate reporting of results.

The program’s framework is consistent with the Association for Professionals in Infection Control Epidemiology (APIC), Center for Disease Control (CDC), Local and State Health Departments, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Occupational and Safety for Health Administration (OSHA), and Statewide Program for Infection Control & Epidemiology (SPICE) guidelines and regulatory standards.

Below is information about how we prepare for a wide array of infectious diseases to include, but are not limited to, COVID-19, RSV, and Influenza, and an overview of Lower Cape Fear LifeCare’s infection control practices.

Lower Cape Fear LifeCare is committed to:

Providing ongoing education for hospice care team members, patients, families and visitors about their role in preventing the spread of communicable disease.

If you or your loved one are a current patient and someone in your home is experiencing new flu-like symptoms, please contact your case manager.

We follow STANDARD PRECAUTIONS
These are based on the principle that all blood and bodily fluids are potentially infectious. Standard Precautions consists of a group of infection prevention practices used in our offices and in the care of our patients, regardless of whether there is suspected or confirmed infection in any setting in which is delivered.
- Proper Hand Hygiene by all LCFL team members, volunteers, patients, and visitors. Examples of proper hand hygiene can be found online at
  - https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/index.html
  - Fight Germs. Wash Your Hands! – Bing video
- Use of appropriate personal protective (PPE) equipment (gloves, gowns, mask, eye protection) as indicated. For example: gloves are worn when body fluids like blood, urine, stool, or drainage from a wound may be touched; an appropriate mask is used when caring for patients with COVID-19, RSV, and Influenza. Your hospice care team will train you in the use of PPE if needed in the care of your loved one.
- Proper Cough Etiquette should be used by all LCFL team members, volunteers, patients, and visitors. This includes covering your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze with a tissue, or by using your arm. Turn your head away from others to avoid spreading droplets from coughs or sneezes.
  - Cover Your Coughs and Sneezes – Kids – YouTube
  - Cover Your Cough: Clean Your Hands after Coughing or Sneezing | National Prevention Information Network | Connecting public health professionals with trusted information and each other (cdc.gov)
- Proper cleaning and disinfecting of the home and healthcare environments to include linens, medical equipment and supplies.
- Appropriate disposal of medical waste and contaminated sharps. If this applies to the care of your loved one, your hospice care team will train you in the proper techniques.
Refraining from Being Around Others When Sick
- LCFL team members are restricted from work if they are sick.
- Family members and friends are strongly encouraged not to visit their loved one if they are sick with symptoms such as fever, runny nose, cough, sore throat, sneezing, trouble breathing, nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea. However, if you are sick and need to provide care for your loved one please practice Standard Precautions by properly washing you hands frequently and using a face mask if you are coughing, sneezing or have a fever.
- If you or your loved one are a current patient and someone in your home is experiencing symptoms such as fever, runny nose, cough, sore throat, sneezing, trouble breathing, nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea, please contact your case manager for additional information at 1.800.379.4880.
- Infection prevention and control (who.int)
STOP GERMS! wash Your Hands Often

Lower Cape Fear LifeCare maintains vaccination requirements as set forth by Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

Covid 19 – What are we doing?

We maintain preparedness for a wide array of infectious diseases, including new emerging diseases as well as regular occurrences like the flu. We have policies and annual staff training to address infection control, hand washing techniques, and employees staying home while sick.And our clinical staff have PPE (personal protective equipment) to use in case of an isolation situation.

ABOUT COVID-19:

What are the signs and symptoms of Covid-19?
When should I seek medical advice?
Seek medical advice if you…
- Develop symptoms
- Have been in close contact with a person known to have COVID-19 or if you live in or have recently been in an area with ongoing spread of COVID-19.
What can I do to keep myself and others healthy?
- Get a COVID vaccine – Stay up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters. More information about COVID vaccinations can be found at cdc.gov.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing; going to the bathroom; and before eating or preparing food.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- If you are a patient or the caregiver of a patient receiving care in your home, we encourage you to limit the amount of visitors if you have symptoms of COVID; or to restrict any visitors if they have symptoms of COVID and keep in contact by phone if possible.
Who is at increased risk of getting COVID-19?
Can I catch COVID-19 from someone who was previously under quarantine?
When to wear a mask or respirator
Layered prevention strategies — like staying up to date on vaccines and wearing masks — can help prevent severe illness and reduce the potential for strain on the healthcare system. Wear a mask with the best fit, protection, and comfort for you.

It is important to wear a mask or respirator when you are sick or caring for someone who is sick with COVID-19. When caring for someone who is sick with COVID-19, a respirator will provide you the best level of protection.

Know the COVID-19 Community Level where you live: www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/yourhealth/covid-by-county.html

Wear a Mask When There are Increased Levels of COVID in Your Community
- Wear a mask in public places where there are a lot of people around.
- The mask must cover your nose.
- The mask must cover your mouth.
- The mask must fit under your chin.
- The mask must be snug on your face.
- Make sure it is easy to breathe.
- If you visit someone who might get very sick from COVID-19, wear a mask when you are with them.
- If you might get sick from COVID-19, talk to your doctor about when you should wear a mask.
- You can wear a mask inside public places like grocery stores and movie theaters at any time.
- You can wear a mask in outdoor public places like parks at any time.
How can I know about cases of COVID-19 in my community?
Know the COVID-19 Community Level where you live: www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/yourhealth/covid-by-county.html

Wear a Mask When There are Increased Levels of COVID in Your Community

Local health departments, the NC Department of Health and Human Services (NC DHHS)/SC Department of Health and Environmental Control (SC DHEC), and the CDC are responsible for publicly reporting COVID-19 cases.
LCFL is committed to the privacy of its patients and complies with all applicable laws, including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA). LCFL does not share patient-specific information with the media without prior authorization. LCFL collaborates with public health authorities, including the CDC and local public health authorities, as appropriate. These authorities are best positioned to provide public health information.

Keeping You Safe – Preventing Infectious Disease

Know the COVID-19 Community Level where you live to help prevent the spread of illness

Don’t Wait

Only 10% of our patients take advantage of the full Medicare hospice benefit which includes ALL medical care, medications, equipment and visits related to diagnosis.

To find out if you or someone you love qualifies for hospice, call 800.733.1476 or fill out the below form:

HELP CENTER

Keeping You Safe – Preventing Infectious Disease

Keeping you and your loved ones safe from infectious disease.

Lower Cape Fear LifeCare is committed to:

Lower Cape Fear LifeCare maintains vaccination requirements as set forth by Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

Covid 19 – What are we doing?

ABOUT COVID-19:

Know the COVID-19 Community Level where you live: www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/yourhealth/covid-by-county.html

Know the COVID-19 Community Level where you live: www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/yourhealth/covid-by-county.html

Know the COVID-19 Community Level where you live to help prevent the spread of illness

Don’t Wait

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