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“How can we protect our employees and customers from COVID-19?”

“We’re concerned about the emotional well-being of our staff.”

“A member of my team isn’t feeling well. Shall I tell her to get tested for the coronavirus?”

These are among the questions and concerns hundreds of community and business leaders have shared with AtlantiCare since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. After consulting with businesses, schools, community leaders, and other groups and individuals, the AtlantiCare leadership team has created a COVID-19 Resource Guide to expand on the information, education, and support it has provided over the last nine months.

The Resource Guide includes information about COVID-19 testing, exposure management, workplace safety and more.

“The pandemic has drastically impacted our lives in many ways – in homes, healthcare settings, offices, restaurants and other locations throughout our communities,” said Debra A. Fox, vice president Strategic Planning and Hospitalist Medicine at AtlantiCare. “We’ve enhanced our safety measures for patients and their families, our staff, and our community. This has included redesigning how we give care and how we conduct all of our operations through our healthcare system to protect patients, staff and the community. We’re sharing our best practices through what we’ve learned as we’ve continued to ensure individuals get timely care safely.”

Fox says business needs and requests have included:

  • Education for owners, administrators and staff about safety measures
  • Managing COVID exposures
  • How to remain open/reopen
  • Assistance with ensuring staff are wearing appropriate personal protective equipment that fits each individual
  • Information about/interpretation of current national and state healthcare, legal and other guidelines
  • Testing information
  • Employee assistance programs
  • On-site clinical support, including the need for nurses and contact tracers
  • Childcare and student resources
  • Helping businesses assist staff with housing, food and other basic needs

“Community collaboration and support in preventing spread of COVID is essential,” Fox said. “Beyond immediate healthcare threats it poses, the virus continues to have wide-ranging impact on individuals and society. It affects every area that contributes to well-being and security, including physical, emotional, social, and economic wellness. Helping our neighbors navigate through this unprecedented time is how we build healthy communities together. This guide and the services we will continue to provide are among the many ways we are committed to doing so.”

For more information, visit the Coronavirus Safety page of AtlantiCare’s website, or call the AtlantiCare Access Center at 1-888-569-1000. Fees are associated with some services.

 


Nanette LoBiondo Galloway

Award winning journalist covering news, events and people of Atlantic County for more than 20 years.