Hospice of Central PA (HCP) is pleased to announce that they have achieved Level 5 partner program status in the We Honor Veterans Program. The We Honor Veterans program, is a collaboration with the Veterans Administration (VA) and the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO).

In addition to meeting all other program requirements, Level 5 partner programs, like Hospice of Central PA, have demonstrated an emphasis
on staff education and caring for Vietnam-era and combat Veterans. Additionally, Level 5 partners will be taking on the role of regional mentor to other We Honor Veterans partners working to enhance their programs.

Broadly speaking, the We Honor Veterans program empowers hospices and community organizations to meet the unique needs of America’s Veterans and their families by offering guidance and resources focused on respectful inquiry, compassionate listening, and grateful acknowledgement so that Veterans can be guided toward a more peaceful ending.

“We are excited to expand our service to veterans in our community to include a special focus on Vietnam era vets”, said HCP Chief Executive Officer Gil Brown, “This achievement of Level 5 is the result of a lot of hard work and dedication by our Veterans Committee and we’re all deeply grateful for their efforts.”

The Veterans Committee at HCP is made up of staff from almost every department in the organization, veterans and community volunteers. They meet throughout the year to plan recognition of service events, offer specialized training, and ultimately serve and honor America’s Veterans and their loved ones at the end of life.

For more information on HCP’s Veterans Committee or commitment to Veterans, please visit www.hospiceofcentralpa.org.

​Originally posted on Carlisle Sentinel – April 26, 2020

Excerpt:

United Way of Carlisle & Cumberland County announced Friday it has raised more than $77,000 for its COVID-19 Carlisle Area Emergency Response Fund.

United Way partnered with the Carlisle Borough to start the fund in March to help deal with the emerging needs of the community related to the global pandemic.

The fund has been sparked by donations from the Rotary Club of Carlisle, Truist Foundation, Dickinson College and Second Presbyterian Church as well as a $20,000 donation from F&M Trust, United Way officials said in a news release.

It maintains an up-to-date listing of how funds are being expended at uwcarlisle.org/dollars-making-a-difference.

United Way officials said funds have also been distributed to The Salvation Army Carlisle for gas cards, pull-ups, and diapers; to Central Penn Food Bank’s for rapid response food boxes to be shared with local pantries; to Community CARES for the cost of a hand washing station, masks, and gloves; and, to Contact Helpline 2-1-1 for the cost of overtime pay for employees answering the many calls from people in need of immediate assistance.

Other fund allocations include:

• Ride to transport testing sites and to isolation locations for individuals showing symptoms of the COVID-19 virus in Cumberland County
• Hospice of Central PA received funding for two nurses, as part of a dedicated COVID-19 care team for hospice patients in the Carlisle area. These funds will provide hazard pay at 40 hours per week for eight weeks.
• Safe Harbour to purchase an extra mask for each of their 60 residents plus the cost of providing these same residents with one extra complimentary load of laundry for six weeks.
• The RASE Project received funding for one month of RASE House operating and staffing costs as well as the expenses associated with providing recovery support and medical assistance for six clients who are uninsured or under-insured.
• $3,900 was allocated to Community CARES to cover the cost of hotel rooms for individuals who exhibit signs of COVID-19 and who need to be separated from the general shelter population.
• $1,500 of funding to the New Kingstown Fire Company to cover the cost of professional sanitation and decontamination of their apparatus and fire house.

Please click here to see the entire article.

It is the priority of Hospice of Central PA (HCP) to safeguard the health and well-being of our patients, caregivers, visitors, and our staff, at all times.

We have been monitoring the CDC website for updated information and resources and are in regular contact with our local health department. HCP is prepared to take appropriate action to address potential COVID-19 cases and mitigate transmission including screening, treatment, and transfer to higher level care (when appropriate).

At HCP we have taken proactive steps to help prevent transmission of infection which include, but are not limited to:

1. One of our biggest vulnerabilities is the proximity of HCP staff to one another in meetings. All team meetings (including huddle and administrative meetings) will be conducted remotely by conference call. Administrative or office-based staff will be encouraged to conduct interactions using the phone, text or email rather than in person.

2. Carolyn’s House, our hospice residence, will be limiting visitors to immediate family, the hospice care team and faith leaders. Visitors will be required to complete a questionnaire and anyone exhibiting a temperature greater than 100.4 Fahrenheit will not be granted access.

3. Visitors to the office will be asked to complete a questionnaire and anyone exhibiting a temperature of greater than 100.4 Fahrenheit will not be granted access.

4. Field staff are being asked to not enter the office building unless absolutely necessary. All HCP staff will be asked to complete the questionnaire and provide information before any travel outside of Central Pennsylvania.

5. HCP staff were provided with the following hygiene reminders:

Please wash your hands and sanitize often.
Cough/sneeze into a tissue or your elbow and wash your hands or sanitize after each occurrence.
Physical contact during the course of your clinical work is unavoidable, but please refrain from unnecessary contact with others (hugs, handshakes) during this period.
If you feel unwell, no matter how minor or slight, i.e., cold symptoms, please call out sick and stay at home. If you believe that you could meaningfully work from home, please discuss that with your supervisor to determine if such an arrangement is possible.
6. HCP staff were provided with CDC guidance to manage healthcare personnel exposure to COVID-19.

7. HCP staff are screening patients, and caregivers, regarding their potential exposure to COVID-19 in order to provide the best care for the patient, to minimize exposure and risk to HCP staff and to reduce the transmission of COVID-19 in our community.

If your loved one in our care experiences new symptoms of fever, cough or shortness of breath, please report this to HCP immediately by calling 717-732-1000.

HCP follows the Center for Disease Control’s guidance on use of personal protective equipment such as masks and gloves. To conserve potentially limited supplies, these are only to be used when there is suspected or actual exposure to the COVID-19 or other contagious disease.

HCP is staying in close contact with area hospitals and the Pennsylvania Department of Health for additional news that will help to mitigate the transmission of COVID-19 to our patients, caregivers, visitors and staff.

Frequently Asked Questions Regarding COVID-19 and Hospice Care

1. Will HCP provide masks and hand sanitizers to families who have patients in hospice care?

Currently, there is a national shortage of masks; however, if a patient is having signs of respiratory illness, masks may be provided to families if available. Masks are not being provided to patients and caregivers who have no signs of respiratory illness.

Due to shortages of hand sanitizer, HCP suggests that you follow proper hand hygiene. https://www.cdc.gov/handhygiene/providers/guideline.html

2. Should I wear a mask when visiting with my loved one?

There is not a need for either you or your loved one to wear a mask while visiting, if your loved one has no symptoms. It is recommended that you follow proper hand hygiene.

Do not visit or come in close proximity to your loved one if you, or your loved one, exhibits any symptoms such as fever with cough or other respiratory illness.

3. My hospice nurse is not wearing a mask. Is this okay?

Both the CDC and the Pennsylvania Department of Health are not currently recommending the wearing of masks during direct patient care or other routine activities. Additionally, our staff has been trained in working with patients who are critically ill and who may have compromised immune systems.

4. Will HCP offer a coronavirus test to our patients for coronavirus?

HCP is not testing patients for coronavirus at this time; however, if a patient meets certain criteria, coronavirus may be suspected. If this is the case, HCP staff will notify the Pennsylvania Department of Health and follow their instructions.

5. Is HCP screening patients for coronavirus?

HCP is following CDC recommendations to screen patients who present with fever and lower respiratory illness (i.e. cough, shortness of breath).

6. 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.

7. 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 717-732-1000 before calling 911.

8. Can I visit with 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.

9. 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.