Hospice Partner,
As you are well aware, the spread of COVID-19 has resulted in many changes to our daily lives and the healthcare system. As a provider of medical equipment to hospice patients, we already have in place protocols to limit cross contamination and will continue to follow them. However, we want to make you aware of additional protocols we are creating and how it could affect you and your patients.
- All Wilbea staff will be practicing social distancing at all times, including when interacting with patients, hospice staff, and other Wilbea employees.
- When possible, Wilbea technicians will not cross the threshold of a home when delivering equipment to prevent possible contact.
- When delivering supplies and other light weight items, Wilbea will exercise the option to drop-ship those supplies directly to the patient’s residence.
- If delivering to a facility, equipment will be left at the front desk or a designated delivery zone if available.
- In the event of inventory shortages, Wilbea will coordinate with hospice to prioritize the remaining equipment for patients with the greatest need.
The following are requests we have of you and your staff to help us better serve your patients:
- When placing an order to a facility, please include whether or not the facility will accept equipment, if they have designated areas for deliveries, or what precautions are required before entry. If they do not allow hospice staff to enter, it is likely Wilbea staff will not be allowed either. However, each facility is different and communication regarding their changes will be key.
- Since nursing facilities have begun excluding non-essential personnel from their buildings, it has been difficult, if not impossible, for us to recover equipment to be used on other patients. Additionally, some hospitals are discharging patients more quickly in anticipation for the increased need of their facilities. As a result, we anticipate shortages of equipment across our locations. We will do our best to mitigate these shortages and will communicate with you should this occur. We may also ask your help in recovering equipment from facilities where applicable, although we do not expect hospice staff to place themselves at unnecessary risk.
- Please only order clinically necessary equipment. The fewer interactions our technicians have with patients, the less likely our staff will catch or spread the virus. This will also help keep equipment for those who are in greater need of it.
- If a patient being discharged from a hospital exhibits symptoms of COVID-19, let us know and we will arrange to deliver equipment prior to the patient being discharged.
Clear communication and following best practices will be key moving forward and we will be in contact as this situation develops. As always, we remain committed to providing excellent equipment, quality service, and endless caring to your patients through this uncertain time.
Thank you,
Richard Bean
Founder/CEO