HSABC COVID -19 Response: Survey Results (April 23 – April 29)
This week HSABC sent out there fifth COVID-19 Survey to members, to better understand the needs and challenges that are members are confronting. This week we heard from twenty members including Metro Vancouver (7), Vancouver Island, (6), Okanagan (3), the North (2) the Cariboo (1), and the Kootenay (1).
Consistent with last week's challenges with physical/social distancing and lack of personal protective equipment remain as primary concerns. Masks continue to be identified by almost all organizations as materials needed to continue to operate in response to COVID-19. This week’s survey also saw a rise in the need for food products, though it remains lower than masks, gloves, and sanitizer.
This week, just over half of the respondents indicated their staff were receiving specific training in response to COVD-19. This may indicate that staff have now been fully trained in responding to specific needs of COVID, especially regarding hand washing, use of PPE and physical distancing. Training continues to occur through fact sheets, conference calls with health professionals and provincial partners, fact sheets, and webinars, including those presented by HSABC (insert links). Moving forward, respondents indicated there is a need primarily in training on the impact of COVID-19 on staff working the front line, as well as training on how to isolate clients with symptoms.
HSABC also asked if an organization’s response to COVID-19 has changed over the past week. Some organizations responded that there have not been many changes, while others are still changing ‘by the minute.’ Organizations are continuing to implement procedures that increase safety and try to stay open as much as possible to ensure client safety.
HSABC COVID -19 Response: Survey Results (April 16 – April 23)
This week HSABC sent out there fourth COVID-19 Survey to members, to better understand the needs and challenges that are members are confronting. This week we heard from twenty members including Metro Vancouver (6), Okanagan (5), Fraser Valley (4), Vancouver Island (2) the North (2) and the Cariboo (1).
We once again asked you what challenges you were facing in combating COVID-19. There has been a change in the challenges of responses, with 60% indicating challenges with physical/social distancing and lack of personal protective equipment as primary concerns. These challenges have decreased in comparison to previous surveys. Still, regarding PPE, masks continue to be identified by almost all organizations as materials needed to continue to operate in response to COVID-19.
This week, three quarters (75%) of responses indicated their staff were receiving specific training in response to COVD-19. Training continues to occur through fact sheets, conference calls with health professionals and provincial partners, and webinars, including those presented by HSABC.
HSABC asked members to identify what additional training they need in response to COVID-19. Over half of respondents indicated a need for training focused on the impact of COVID-19 on front line staff, assessing individuals for COVID-19 and how to access financial supports.
HSABC also asked if an organization’s response to COVID-19 has changed over the past week. Organizations highlighted expanding supports, opening isolation centers, and beginning long term planning.
HSABC COVID -19 Response: Survey Results (April 9 – April 16)
This week HSABC sent out there third COVID-19 Survey to members, to better understand the needs and challenges that are members are confronting. This week we heard from nineteen members including Metro Vancouver (6), Okanagan (6), Vancouver Island (4) and the North (3).
We once again asked you what challenges you were facing in combating COVID-19. The majority of respondents indicated challenges with physical/social distancing and lack of personal protective equipment as primary concerns. Specifically, mask, gloves and sanitizer continue to be identified by almost all organizations as materials needed to continue to operate in response to COVID-19.
This week, an increased number percentage of respondents (79%) indicated their staff were receiving specific training in response to COVD-19. Examples continue to include proper hand washing, proper disinfectant treatment, proper physical/social distancing, COVID-19 assessment, and how to properly use PPE’s. Additional training identified this week by respondents include intake protocols and harm reduction strategies.
Training is occurring mainly through fact sheets, conference calls with health professionals and provincial partners, fact sheets, and webinars, including those presented by HSABC (insert links).
HSABC asked members to identify what additional training they need in response to COVID-19. Training that focused on the impact of COVID-19 on front line staff was the most common response followed by training on practicing self-care There has been a noticeable decrease in the need for training regarding how to use safety equipment, as organizations staff are now trained.
HSABC also asked if an organization’s response to COVID-19 has changed over the past week. Organizations highlighted the streamlining staff for specific tasks, updating overdose protocol and putting up visual social distancing cues.
HSABC COVID -19 Response: Survey Results (April 2 – April 8)
This week HSABC sent out there second COVID-19 Survey to members, to better understand the needs and challenges that are members are confronting. This week we heard from twenty-eight members from all over the province including Metro Vancouver (7), Okanagan (7), Vancouver Island (7), the North (3), the Fraser Valley (2), and the Cariboo (2).
We once again asked you what challenges you were facing in combating COVID-19. Over 80% of respondents indicated challenges with physical/social distancing as a primary concern. An equal concern to respondents is a lack of personal protective equipment. Specifically, mask, gloves and sanitizer were identified by almost all organizations as materials needed to continue to operate in response to COVID-19.
Sixty-four percent (64%) of respondents indicated that staffing remains a significant challenge, while 60% of respondents identified being unable to meet with guests or clients because of COVID-19. Other responses included, an overall uncertainty over what lies ahead for our people, and the difficulty, or inability for themselves and staff to work from home.
This week, slightly fewer respondents (61%) indicated their staff were receiving specific training in response to COVD-19. Examples include proper hand washing, proper disinfectant treatment, and situation planning. Additional training identified this week by respondents include proper physical/social distancing, COVID-19 assessment, and how to properly use PPE’s.
Training is occurring mainly through fact sheets, conference calls with health professionals and provincial partners, fact sheets, and webinars, including those presented by HSABC (insert links).
HSABC asked members to identify what additional training they need in response to COVID-19. Training that focused on the impact of COVID-19 on front line staff was the most common response (71%), followed by training to access and use government financial supports (61%).
HSABC also asked if an organization’s response to COVID-19 has changed over the past week. Organizations highlighted the enhanced quarantine protocols they are putting in place, including limiting the number of guests below their funding level to ensure social distancing. Others identified a more thorough intake process to ensure social distancing, and the reduction of meals programs, as well as having meals to go instead of within their facility. In general, organizations identified keeping updated on recommendations from their local health authority and the CDC and BC Housing to ensure they are keeping their staff and guests safe.
HSABC COVID -19 Response: Survey Results (March 26 – April 1)
We heard from thirty-four members from all over the province including Metro Vancouver (11), Okanagan (9), Vancouver Island (6), the North (5), the Fraser Valley (2), and the Cariboo (1).
We asked you what challenges you were facing in combating COVID-19. Your responses included:
- Difficulties with social distancing (there is simply no space to separate people)
- No personal protective equipment
- A general fear that people are not sure what is going on
- Inability to safely meet in person with clients
- Changes in procedures and ensuring there are proper protocols (e.g. allowing substance use on-site)
- Staffing/ lack of available staff
- Not possible to keep individuals showing symptoms isolated
- Clients not able to access services because they are closed
- Limited access to showers, bathrooms
- Organizations forced to close, limiting ability for outreach
- Making sure clients get up to date info regarding COVID-19
- Pandemic training is not a standard item in workplace guidelines
Almost two-thirds of organizations responded that their staff was receiving specific training in response to COVID-19. Examples of training include proper hand washing, proper disinfectant treatment, and situation planning. Training is occurring mainly through webinars, including those presented by HSABC (recordings of COVID-19 related webinars are available for everyone on our resource page).
HSABC asked members what additional training is needed in response to COVID-19. Responses included:
- Simplified term info sheets to distribute
- How to use safety equipment
- Government resources and how to access financial supports
- Impact of COVID-19 on staff working from line
- How to keep clients safe
- How to safely meet with clients
- Safe consumption training
- Practicing self care
- Working with anxiety, fear, and stress
- Assess clients for COvID-19 and how to isolate them
Mask, gloves and sanitizer were identified by almost all organizations as materials needed to continue to operate in response to COVID-19. Other materials include harm reduction supplies, food, gowns, and cell phones for clients.