The COVID-19 pandemic shook the world, especially the healthcare industry. Healthcare professionals and caregivers have to be more careful about their practice nowadays. Not only to protect themselves but to protect their patients as well. If you’re a healthcare worker, you’re considered an essential worker. Meaning you’re allowed to keep your business running even at these times. If you plan on continuing your business during the pandemic, here’s everything you’ll need to know to do it safely:
What we know about COVID-19
Before you can go back to business, you have to understand what the virus is capable of: how people get infected, how to avoid it, and other important facts about it.
- COVID-19 is a highly contagious disease that mainly affects people’s respiratory systems.
- The virus spreads through respiratory droplets. That means when a person infected by the virus talks, sings, sneezes, coughs, or even breathes within 6 feet of another person without a mask, they can infect that person.
- If you are in an enclosed space, even if you are further than six feet away from infected people. You can still catch the virus through airborne transmission. In airborne transmission, the virus can stay in the air for a few minutes to an hour.
Symptoms of the virus include.
- Fevers
- Cough
- Difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Body aches
- Headache
- Loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
The most dangerous thing about COVID-19 is that asymptomatic people, who do not show any virus symptoms, can still infect other people. Most of the time, asymptomatic people will not know they have the virus because they won’t get tested since they show no symptoms.
A person will only know for sure if they have the virus if they get tested.
This is why wearing a mask, sanitizing, washing your hands after touching surfaces, and social distancing is such an important practice. Doing so will save your life and others.
Knowing all these facts can help you run your business more smoothly and safely. That said, here’s how you can keep your business running during the pandemic:
Implement strict protocols in your clinic
Before you can get your business up and running again, you have to set strict protocols in your workplace. Such as:
- Always wearing a mask, face shield, other personal protective equipment (PPE) necessary. No mask, no entry.
- Frequently sanitizing surfaces, machines, tools, and other objects people frequently touch
- Frequent and proper handwashing practices
- Always having a sanitizing station in every entrance and exit.
- Having alcohol or hand sanitizer readily available for anyone to use.
- Observe social distancing at all times
If you need more detailed guidance on what protocols to implement, you can visit the CDC’s website for more information.
Make honesty and accountability your best policy
Train your employees always to be honest and educate them on accountability. To stop the spread of the disease, everyone has to make a collective effort to keep everyone healthy. Always check up on your staff, do regular check-ins, and review their health. As for your patients, make sure to contact them first before their visit.
Get to know if they’ve come in contact with anyone who has the virus. If they came from a place with a high number of cases or if they’re experiencing any symptoms. This is especially important if you’re a dentist or an oral or dental surgeon. You will have to come in contact with a person’s mouth, where the disease is usually transmitted from. Do proper screenings on your patients to keep them, yourself, and your employees safe.
In the end, the important thing about running a business during the pandemic is to make sure to follow strict safety protocols and practice honesty. That’s all there is to it. Be informed, inform others, and practice what you need to practice.
