LearnMore is closely monitoring the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and following the latest guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
We understand this is a concerning time and people should protect themselves; standard hygiene practices not only help prevent the spread of these novel viral illnesses, but also more common viruses, such as the flu.
According to the CDC, COVID-19 symptoms include:
- Fever or Higher Temperature
- Shortness of breath or a cough
Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure. Call your doctor for medical advice if you think you have been exposed to COVID-19 or develop symptoms.
How Does COVID-19 Spread?
According to the CDC, the virus is thought to be spread mainly from person-to-person. This means it may spread between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet), or through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs. Some recent studies have suggested that COVID-19 may be spread by people who are not showing symptoms.
The CDC also reports that it may be possible for someone to get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object with the virus on it, and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.
The best way to prevent illness from COVID-19 is to avoid being exposed to the virus. Because COVID-19 is a new disease with new vaccines, information is rapidly emerging about how vaccines can help us stop the pandemic. Currently, two vaccines are authorized and recommended to prevent COVID-19:
- Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine
- Moderna COVID-19 vaccine
Below are the steps LearnMore is taking to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses during classroom activities.
Before the Class
If you have been ill or have any signs of illness within 24 hours prior to the class (fever, cough, breathing difficulties/shortness of breath, or other symptoms), please do not attend class and instead contact LearnMore Registered Nurse Program Director (RNPD) or Faculty Instructor to reschedule your training.
Please be assured that all non-disposable equipment and manikins used during the class are sanitized and laundered before student use.
The cleaning process:
- Follows CDC guidance, including updated COVID-19 guidance
- Is based on manufacturers’ directions
- Adheres to use instructions for cleaning products approved on the EPA List N Tool: COVID-19 Disinfectants
During the Class
- Your Faculty Instructor will review the procedures we take during all classes and at the clinical site to minimize the risk of infection.
- Student’s temperature will be taken before entering the school. If student’s temperature is 100.4 F or higher, the student shall not be allowed to attend class.
- Faculty Instructors and students must perform hand hygiene when entering the class.
- Faculty Instructors and students must perform hand hygiene using soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.
- Faculty Instructors and students must wear face coverings during class and while in the clinical facility. If students cannot wear a face covering to LearnMore or clinical facility, they will not be admitted into the class and must reschedule.
- It is understood and acceptable during lunch break when students are eating the face covering will have to be lowered. Keep about 6 feet between yourself and others during this time.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- At a minimum, hand hygiene should be performed at the following times:
- Beginning and end of class
- Before and after meals and snacks
- Before and after skill practice sessions (when wearing gloves, hand hygiene should be done before putting on gloves and after removing them.)
After Class
When using manikins and other training devices, we will follow these practices:
- At the end-of-class, Faculty Instructor will disinfect all class materials and surfaces, based on CDC guidance and the manufacturers’ approved processes for those cleaning products.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily after class. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, and desks.
- All manikins are disinfected using an approved process after each class. The cleaning process follows CDC guidance, the manikin manufacturer’s directions, and the process recommended by the cleaning product manufacturers.
- All non-disposable equipment is also disinfected following CDC guidance and the manufacturer’s directions.
- Launder items as appropriate in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. If possible, launder items using the warmest appropriate water setting and dry completely or use products with the EPA-approved emerging viral pathogens claims that are suitable for porous surfaces.
CDC guidance:
- For disinfection, diluted household bleach solutions (1/3 cup unexpired bleach per gallon of water), alcohol solutions with at least 70% alcohol, and most common EPA-registered household disinfectants should be effective
- Products with EPA-approved emerging viral pathogens claims are expected to be effective against COVID-19 based on data for harder to kill viruses will follow the manufacturer’s instructions for all cleaning and disinfection products (e.g., concentration, application method and contact time, etc.) In their absence, products with label claims against human coronaviruses or other viruses should be used according to label instructions.
At the clinical site
- Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, some clinical sites may require Faculty Instructors and students to take a COVID-19 test and provide documentation confirming a negative result at least 72 hours before attending orientation at the clinical site. Additionally, Faculty Instructors and students may undergo weekly COVID-19 testing at different clinical sites. Resources for testing sites that offer testing at no cost to Faculty Instructors and students will be made available at the school.
- We will continue taking precautions when providing patient care at the clinical site.
- Students must continue wearing mask at the clinical site.
- Your temperature will be taken before entering the facility.
- Students must perform hand hygiene when entering the facility, before providing patient care, after providing patient care and when hands are visibly soiled.
- Wear gloves when coming in contact with bodily fluids.
- If possible, do not shake dirty laundry. This will minimize the possibility of dispersing virus through the air.
