March 11, 2020
To our valued customers:
RE: Northwest Respiratory Services Memorandum of Understanding
The health and safety of our Northwest Respiratory employees and customers is our highest priority. Like so many of you, we have spent the last several days and weeks learning about the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) and how it is impacting our world. For Northwest Respiratory Services, that means understanding how it affects our employees, customers and communities, and then making the necessary adjustments to our work and operations.
We have one simple objective that guides us: keeping you and our employees safe. This has been at the center of our conversations every step of the way. With that in mind, we have reinforced many of our protocols, as well as made several moves in our business in response to the threat of the coronavirus.
The situation is constantly evolving and we are closely monitoring guidance from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and other local health officials around the country. We will continue to gather as much information as possible and rely on the their recommendation and expertise to inform our decisions. Some of CDC recommendations that we have passed on to our employees at this time:
- Stay home when you are sick or have a fever greater than 99.9.
- Self-quarantine yourself for 14 days if you have traveled to any CDC restricted country within the last 14 days.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
- Wash your hands with disinfectant between patient rooms.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
- Increase the frequency and rigor of cleaning and sanitization of all equipment at all branches.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
Beyond the CDC recommendations, Northwest Respiratory has reinforced our infection control and emergency preparedness procedures with all employees. We are also educating our staff on signs and symptoms associated with COVID-19.
Please know that NRS has standard practices for equipment disinfecting and, if necessary, equipment quarantine. All equipment is cleaned with Madicide, an approved chemical to kill the COVID-19 virus and each NRS vehicle is equipped with materials necessary to quarantine infected equipment. (attached NRS delivery checklist).
In the event that someone in your facility be diagnosed with COVID-19, we request that you contact our customer service department to let us know. We need our staff to stay healthy and available to meet the needs of all our customers and be ready to serve you if you are in an emergency situation.
Finally, we are prepared to follow any requests from our customers for modified service. This would include:
Screenings: Complying with requests for screenings which could include; temperature testing, questionnaires, PPE or other protective measures deemed necessary (attached an example screening we are going over with each employee daily)
Centralized Delivery Method: Working with your facility to develop a different way for delivery. This may mean identifying a centralized location at your facility for re-supply or oxygen refills. Your delivery driver will be approaching you in the next few days to discuss how this is best managed. Please work with them to develop a plan that they can document and return to NRS so your file can be noted with your new delivery plan.
Northwest Respiratory wants to do whatever possible to accommodate you. We are prepared to be flexible to meet your needs and keep everyone involved safe.
Please understand that the protocol and procedure within this letter are standard operating procedure for NRS and have been for many years. The same procedures used to keep customers safe from infection everyday will continue to keep patients safe moving forward. It is our top priority serve your needs in an effective and safe way and we plan to do so throughout this outbreak.
We will continue to closely monitor the CDC website and do all we can to protect you and our employees. Thank you for your partnership and your help as we all work through this COVID-19 outbreak.
Thank you,
The Management Teams of Northwest Respiratory Services