Malachi House Protocol: COVID-19

Updated: 3/18/2019

Malachi House continues to remain open with the overwhelming support of our Co-founder Kaki O’Neill and our Board Chair Joe Lee as well as our Malachi House family of volunteers and donors, the amazing board of directors, staff and hospice partners within the community. In response to COVID-19, Malachi House is announcing new guidelines to ensure our mission to serve those in need who are terminally ill. We will continue to update the Malachi House protocol and communicate the changes, per the US Government, State of Ohio and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC.) We appreciate your patience and support as this situation continues to unfold, we will keep you informed as we work through these difficult decisions. We are also creating an emergency evacuation protocol for our residents if we are required to close.

UPON ENTERING MALACHI HOUSE, A DESIGNATED CAREGIVER WILL SCREEN STAFF, HOSPICE TEAMS AND/OR RESIDENTS WITH CDC QUESTIONS AND TAKE THEIR TEMPERATURE WITH A RECOMMENDED NO CONTACT FOREHEAD THERMOMETER.

  1. International travel within the last 14 days to countries with sustained community transmission. For updated information on affected countries visit: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html

  2. Signs or symptoms of a respiratory infection, such as a fever, cough, and sore throat.

  3. In the last 14 days, has had contact with someone with or under investigation for COVID-19, or are ill with respiratory illness.

  4. Residing in a community where community-based spread of COVID-19 is occurring.

THE FOLLOWING SHOULD NOT COME TO MALACHI HOUSE AS NON-ESSENTIAL DIRECT CARE TO RESIDENTS:

  • Malachi House Volunteers
  • Hospice Social Workers and Chaplains
  • All school-age community service students, K-12
  • Non-essential item donations of food and clothing, including but not limited to wish list items
  • All community Clinical Education Students
  • Non-essential visitors; all other visitors/deliveries will be screened or accepted outside
  • Volunteer groups
  • Pet therapy animals
  • House tours to outside groups and individuals
  • Food, healthcare and clothing donations
  • Therapy volunteers and workers from Hospice teams

RESTRICTIONS WITHIN MALACHI HOUSE:

  • Family and friends of Malachi House residents are suspended from visiting unless the resident is actively dying.
  • Visitors of an actively dying resident can visit from 1:00 pm-3:00 pm for 15 minutes. These visitors may not stay overnight at Malachi House. All visitors of actively dying residents will remain in resident rooms and not in common areas. All residents can use our iPhones or tablets to communicate via facetime as well.
  • Residents are restricted from leaving Malachi House and or returning if they leave on their own.
  • Gloves must be worn at all times by the cooks and clinical staff according to CDC and OSHA guidelines.
  • Do not come to Malachi House if you are ill.

FOLLOW THESE CDC RECOMMENDATIONS:

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
  • Avoid touching your mouth, nose, or eyes.
  • Cover coughs/sneezes with your arm or a tissue.
  • Avoid exposure to others who are sick.
  • Stay home if you are ill (except to visit a health care professional) and avoid close contact with others.
  • Get adequate sleep and eat well-balanced meals to ensure a healthy immune system.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces