BayCare HomeCare Enhances its Services to Serve Patients During COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic is changing the way BayCare HomeCare delivers its home health services to ensure patients and team members stay safe.

From the start, BayCare HomeCare has taken proper measures and protocols to safely care for patients in-the-home environment. 

“The health and safety of our patients and team members is always our top priority,” said Jim Cote, senior vice president for Ambulatory Services. “During this time, we have been determined to continue to provide high-quality care while making sure patients and the clinicians are safe.” 

BayCare HomeCare has implemented strict infection prevention protocols including screening all patients for COVID-19, based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines, to ensure team members are properly prepared before every visit. 

To reduce contact with high-risk patients, BayCare HomeCare has increased access to its remote patient monitoring program and has implemented video visits, allowing nurses and therapists to reduce in-person contact with the patients. Patients enrolled in this program can submit daily readings of their blood pressure, pulse, oxygen saturation and weight directly to our clinicians. Video visits are helpful for symptom and medication management, education and some exercise regimens.  

“Through this service, nurses, therapists and social workers can see patients in their home environment, using tablets, smartphones and Bluetooth enabled medical equipment,” said Cote. “These services, including the timely and personal response, have been instrumental in keeping patients out of the hospitals and emergency departments, especially during this crisis.”

During in-person home visits, BayCare clinicians wear appropriate personal protective equipment to protect themselves and the patients. Clinicians also wash and sanitize their hands before, during and after each visit. In-person visits are conducted for necessary assessments, wound care and other treatments. 

As always, HomeCare disinfects and sanitizes all of its medical and respiratory equipment and supplies before and after every delivery or pick up. Equipment also is cleaned, disinfected and sanitized in the patient’s driveway before being bagged and returned to the warehouse. 

Like every area across the system, BayCare HomeCare conducts ongoing training and education with team members and clinicians to ensure they’re properly following up-to-date protocols and guidelines. 

As one of the largest home care providers in Florida, BayCare HomeCare has been delivering high-quality clinical care to patients across the state since 1976. BayCare HomeCare offers services in 13 counties on the west coast of Florida including home health nursing and rehabilitation, disease management support, infusion pharmacy services, and medical equipment, oxygen and respiratory services and supplies.  

For more information, visit BayCare.org/HomeCare.