The health and well-being of our patients, families and providers remain our highest priority. We continue to provide support for hospice and palliative care, grief support and education in a clean, safe environment, while following necessary protocols and staying up to date with the latest information.
For more information about hospice care during COVID-19, please call 717-732-1000.
A Message for HCP Patients and Caregivers Regarding COVID-19
At HCP, we are monitoring the CDC’s website to stay current on new information and continue to be in regular contact with our local health department and hospitals. We are prepared to take appropriate action to address potential COVID-19 cases and mitigate transmission including screening, treatment and transfer to a higher level care when appropriate.
We continue to take proactive steps to help prevent transmission of infection that include, but are not limited to,
- Limited face-to-face interactions. All team meetings, including interdisciplinary and administrative meetings, continue to be conducted remotely by Zoom and/or conference call. Our administrative and office-based staff are encouraged to interact through phone calling, texting or email communications.
- Limited visitation to the HCP office and Carolyn’s House. Visitors are asked to complete a questionnaire, and any visitor with a temperature greater than 100.4F will not be permitted to enter. Our hospice residence, Carolyn’s House, will continue limiting visitors to immediate family, hospice care staff and faith leaders only.
- All staff will continue to follow COVID-19 CDC hygiene protocols.
- Washing and sanitizing hands
- Coughing and sneezing into a tissue or elbow, washing and sanitizing hands immediately afterward
- Avoiding unnecessary physical contact such as hugs and handshakes
- Staying home when feeling unwell and completing daily symptom and risk attestations
- Screening patients and caregivers to minimize exposure
Frequently Asked Questions Regarding COVID-19 and Hospice Care
- Does HCP provide masks and hand sanitizer to families who have patients in hospice care?
If a patient experiences signs of respiratory illness, masks may be provided to families if available, but are not provided to patients and caregivers who have no signs of respiratory illness. - Should I wear a mask when visiting my loved one?
We encourage everyone to wear a mask while visiting your loved one even if neither of you have symptoms. It is also recommended that you follow proper hand washing and sanitizing. Please stay home and do not visit your loved one if you have symptoms. - What precautions will HCP staff take when making visits?
HCP staff will wear a mask and eye protection, at minimum, for all in person visits. Our staff has been trained in working with patients who are critically ill and who may have compromised immune systems. - Will HCP offer COVID-19 tests to patients?
HCP facilitates testing for patients with symptoms, and as necessary for patients with a known exposure to COVID. - Is HCP screening patients for COVID-19?
HCP is screening every patient, as well as their family and caregiver(s), prior to every in person visit. - What should I do if my loved one in hospice care develops a fever and symptoms of lower respiratory illness?
Report the condition to HCP immediately by calling 717-732-1000. - I want to transfer my loved one to a hospital, E.R., urgent care center, or doctor’s office—what should I do?
Call HCP at 717-732-1000 before calling 911. - Can I visit my loved one who is a patient at Carolyn’s House?
Yes, immediate family members may visit. All visitors are being screened upon arrival including a questionnaire and your temperature will be taken. HCP reserves the right to deny entrance to any staff or visitor whom we feel will pose a health risk to those in our care. - Can I visit with my loved one who is in a nursing home?
Visitors to patients in nursing homes, retirement communities, and assisted living facilities will be subject to the visitation guidelines put in place by those facilities. Please call them first, before you visit, if you are unsure of their guidelines.