Responding to COVID-19
In the midst of the novel Coronavirus Covid 19 outbreak, we want the patients and families we serve, as well as the community at large, to rest assured that Trellis Supportive Care continues to provide supportive hospice and palliative care – safely and with compassion - to nearly 580 patients every day.
In early March we formed a COVID Response Team (CRT) that continues to meet frequently to monitor the ever-changing landscape of this COVID-19 pandemic. Our primary focus remains the safety of our patients, families, and staff.
While Infection Control has always been an area of experties, the COVID-19 outbreak challenged our agency and healthcare agencies across the globe. With proactive measures to provide education, PPE, and daily updates to our clinical teams, we have been able to care for our existing patients and families as well as new patients.
Because this pandemic has left many feeling vulnerable and isolated, we have also encouraged families to reach out for support – be it for hospice care, palliative care, grief support, advance care planning, or the supportive resources we’ve assemble to simply help children and families cope with anxiety and other emotions that have impacted so many of us during this time.
Please continue to visit this page for updates and messages to the many patients and families we have the privilege to serve.
** We maintain a pandemic policy and comprehensive plan that includes educating our staff and patients. Education includes information about how most virus are transmitted; signs and symptoms; diagnosis and testing; method of disinfection; and prevention.
Letter to Patients and Families upon Admission
During this pandemic, we have adjusted our traditional methods of visiting and caring for our patients. With the health and safety of our patients, families, volunteers, and staff at the center of our decision-making, we are increasing our COVID Response communications with our patients and families. Included in each admission packet is this letter:
Trellis Supportive Care is committed to caring for all families compassionately and safely during novel Coronavirus Covid 19 outbreak, and beyond. We have maximized our infection control methods, and we are taking every precaution possible to prevent the spread of the novel Coronavirus in order to protect your loved one and our staff, as we continue to care for families throughout our community.
As you may know, healthcare organizations are faced with balancing the challenges of caring for patients safely, with managing the supply of Personal Protection Equipment (PPE,) including N-95 masks, surgical masks, gloves, and gowns.
In addition to following our PPE protocols, we continue to practice appropriate social distancing where practical, in order to minimize the spread of the virus. To this end, we have made some temporary changes to our visit structure. During this time, we may utilize telehealth in addition to our traditional in-person visits. This would be the case for both RN/skilled nursing visits as well as Social Work and Chaplaincy visits.
Trellis Supportive Care follows all recommended practices to prevent the spread of any type of illness, including respiratory infections such as Influenza and COVID-19, and we are implementing extra precautions, to further reduce risk of exposure to this virus. We ask that all family members wear masks during our visits in your home. As you may know, for those with advanced illness, including those who are under hospice or palliative care, it is especially important to follow these precautions.
Please always know that your care team is available to you 24 hours a day. You can reach a member of the staff ant time by calling (888) 876-3663.
Any future updates or changes to our practices that may directly impact you or your loved one, will be communicated by your care team. If you have any questions or concerns about our response to the novel Coronavirus as an organization, please call our office at (888) 876-3663.
The COVID 19 vaccine for Trellis Supportive Care patients – At-A-Glance
While information related to the vaccine changes according to availability and guidelines set forth by the CDC and the NC Dept. of Health and Human Services, here are a few things you should know:
1. Each state has developed their own process for distributing the vaccine. In NC, county health departments are currently administering the vaccine as well as some large health systems.
2. Because Trellis Supportive Care is not a distribution site, and does not have access to the vaccine, we are unable to administer the vaccine for our patients who want it.
3. Our palliative and hospice patients can receive the vaccine as they choose based upon their individual situation.
4. Currently, there is no cost to receive the vaccine from any source. It is covered by the state.
5. For patients and families with questions about receiving the vaccine, it is best to contact their county health department or their primary care provider.
- 6. As of early January, following front-line healthcare workers (categorized as 1A recipients), individuals who are 75 years and older (categorized as 1B) are next to receive the vaccine.
Another excellent source of information is the NCDHHS website. https://covid19.ncdhhs.gov/vaccines According to their site: “How quickly North Carolina moves through each phase will depend on the available vaccine supply. Currently, supplies are very limited. The federal government notifies states weekly of how much vaccine they will receive. We find out the week before how many doses of each vaccine we will receive for the following week. This makes it difficult to know when we will move to the next phase.”
*Please note that this information will change based on vaccine availability. This information will be updated as we learn of changes. Last update: 1/5/21