Guidelines and Helpful Tools for Students during COVID-19

 

 

  ... IF YOU ARE SICK

If you develop cold, influenza or COVID-19-like symptoms, use the BC COVID-19 Self-Assessment Tool to help determine if you need further assessment for COVID-19.

 

  ... IF YOU HAVE RECENTLY TRAVELLED

As travel advisories surrounding COVID-19 are updated frequently, students and faculty who have recently travelled out-of-country should refer to the BCCDC Information Page for the latest information. 

 

... BEFORE STARTING YOUR CLINICAL SHIFT

Students should do a self-assessment before coming onto the clinical unit. 

 

 

HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF AND YOUR PATIENTS

PHC has worked with the Ministry of Health and other BC health organizations to develop guidelines to ensure the safety of staff and students on-site. Please refer to our PHC COVID-19 website to access the most up-to-date video tutorials, posters and communiques on protecting yourself.

 

Reduce the Risk!

The measures that all students, faculty, and staff can take to help reduce the risk of respiratory illnesses such as COVID-19 include: 

  • Stay home when you are ill.
  • Practice physical distancing when outside of your home.
  • Wash your hands frequently for at least 20 seconds using soap and water.
  • If a sink is not available, 60-90% alcohol-based hand rubs (hand sanitizer) can be used to clean hands if they are not visibly soiled. If they are visibly soiled, you can use an alcohol-based disposable hand wipe to remove the dirt and then use an alcohol-based hand rub.
  • Do not touch your face/eyes/mouth with unwashed hands.
  • When you sneeze or cough, cover your mouth and nose with a disposable tissue or the crease of your elbow, and then wash your hands.
From:  http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/colleges-un...

 

 

On the Units

Your toolbox of protective measures include ... 

 

1. Hand Hygiene

My 5 Moments of Hand Hygiene - from the World Health Organization

(https://www.who.int/gpsc/5may/background/5moments/en/)

 

2. Use of PPE

As of April 6th, the  Ministry of Health has recently updated the requirements and masks are no longer required to be worn by staff or visitors, except if required under infection control guidance and Point of Care Risk Assessment.

PPE will be provided to students for use if their clinical placement requires it. For guidelines on PPE use and donning and doffing instructions, please refer to our PHC PPE Resource page or download our PPE Fact Sheet for Students

 

3. Dress Code

Check out our poster, All Personnel Participating in Inpatient Care, on clothing and accessories while working on an inpatient unit. 

Join in PHC's "Bare Below the Elbow" movement! No rings with stones or ridges, watches, press-on/acrylic nails, or long sleeves (including lab coats and sweaters) when providing direct patient care. Jewelry and gel nails should be removed to ensure that no germs are being harboured even when hand hygiene is complete. Short sleeves are important from simply a practical perspective – it’s hard to wash your hands and wrists effectively when you are trying to keep your sleeves dry! 

 

4. Caring for a COVID-19 Patient?

Download the Spectrum - Clinical Decisions Mobile Health app to find the most up-to-date PHC guidelines on caring for patients with COVID-19 and other pathogens. Spectrum is available for Android and iOS devices and desktop computers.

INSTRUCTIONS:  After downloading the app, select "Providence Health Care" as your location.

 

 

Additional Resources

Students may wish to take the COVID-19 Education Modules offered by Vancouver Coastal Health. 

Questions?

Contact the PHC Student Placement Coordinator.