During the Coronavirus COVID-19 Pandemic, the VeinCare continues to put infection prevention and control at the centre of our activities. We explain how we are responding to the evolving pandemic to keep our patients and our staff safe, while maintaining the excellence of our clinic activities.
Existing Infection Control and Prevention Procedures: There are many infection control and prevention procedures that we have had in place for some time which we continue to practice during the Coronavirus Pandemic. These are
- Hand Washing
- Use of Hand Sanitising Gel
- Use of protective single-use aprons and gloves (PPE)
- Use of protective single-use covers for ultrasound probes
- Disinfection of all hard surfaces that patients come into contact with and disinfection of the hard floors in clinical areas
- Daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly and annual cleaning routines
So for example, even before the Coronavirus Pandemic, all clinical staff applied alcohol hand gel, applied disposable aprons and gloves before clinical contact, applied single-use probe covers before ultrasounds scans and then washed hands with soap and water after disposing of personal protective equipment (PPE). In addition, after every patient had left the clinical areas, all hard surfaces (couches, chairs and desk) were cleaned with disinfectant wipes. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, some measures are now performed more frequently. These are
- Daily disinfection of chairs and hard surfaces in the waiting area
- Daily disinfection of the stair rail
- Daily disinfection of door handles, door bell button, light switches and pull cords, computer keyboards, telephones, call bells
New Infection Control and Prevention Procedures
New measures have been introduced in line with National Guidance from the NHS. These are
- Patients and Staff are asked to stay at home if they have a high temperature or a new continuous cough
- Patients are asked to wash their hands with soap and water on arrival at the clinic
Clinical Risk Register
The VeinCare Centre Clinical Risk Register is a tool the clinic uses to document all risks within the clinic and to regularly review action plans to eliminate, reduce and mitigate risk. The Coronavirus Pandemic has been added to our clinical risk register in order that it is reviewed daily in the light of advice from NHS England, the MHRA and the UK Government.
Staffing
The safety and wellbeing of the VeinCare Centre staff are vital to enable the clinic to provide effective vein treatments in a safe, suitably equipped and staffed environment in line with guidance from the Care Quality Commission and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. The VeinCare Centre management has adopted a supportive approach to staff absence during the COVID-19 Coronavirus pandemic. Staff will be supported to look after themselves and their family in order to remain well and they will be given the necessary leave of absence during any future illnesses.
Business Continuity Plan
The Covid-19 Coronavirus Pandemic has been added to the VeinCare Centre’s Business Continuity Plan. The Clinic has a secure WhatsApp messaging group that is used for sharing information among all members of the VeinCare Centre Team. Plans are in place for staff to cover each other during absences to maintain the clinic’s activities during the pandemic. The management and the staff have agreed a flexible approach to hours worked to minimise disruption to clinical activities.
Meetings and Conferences
The VeinCare Centre has cancelled all plans for team members to attend meetings and conferences until after the peak of the Coronavirus Pandemic.
Remote Working and Consultations
Those members of staff mainly involved in administrative duties may have the opportunity to work from home using web-based technologies as the pandemic evolves. Increasing use of remote consultations will be considered as patients may need to self-isolate.
Summary
The VeinCare Centre has a robust response to the Coronavirus Pandemic (COVID-19) and aims to keep staff and patients safe. In addition we have evolving action plans to maintain our service in the light of national UK guidance. If you have a specific concern or query about the Coronavirus pandemic as it might relate to your treatment, please contact us for more information