Covid-19

Ready & COVID-19

As we begin to see the countless and unprecedented ways that the COVID-19 pandemic is impacting our communities, our patients, our Responders and our lives, we want to assure you that the safety and well-being of our patients and Responders is our top priority and at the core of every decision we make.

We are actively monitoring this rapidly evolving situation and coordinating with our partners and public health authorities to ensure that we have access to the latest information, so that we can adjust our policies, procedures and communications as needed.

As this crisis continues to unfold, our team remains committed to supporting your care and doing our part to reduce the strain on the greater healthcare system during the challenging times ahead. With this in mind, the following Q&A is designed to update you on our approach and give you details about our plans.

How does Ready Responders protect its patients and Responders from the spread of highly contagious viruses like COVID-19?

Ready Responders is equipped to handle a wide spectrum of public health emergencies and, like any hospital or healthcare provider, observes stringent protocols to prevent the spread of viruses like COVID-19. We are actively following all CDC guidelines related to the virus and are engaged in ongoing training to protect ourselves and our patients as the situation unfolds.

All Responders are outfitted with equipment designed to greatly mitigate the impact of a virus such as COVID-19, including gowns, gloves and specialized masks.

We are also augmenting our regular cleaning and sanitization schedule to further ensure that our vehicles and anything that enter a patient’s home (medical equipment, laptops, smartphones, etc.) are completely safe.

Without the ability to test for COVID-19 right now, how would Ready Responders handle a patient with symptoms?

We screen patients before entering their home for COVID-19 symptoms. If they screen positive, we evaluate them to ensure the patient is medically stable, and then we work with local public health agencies to determine next steps.

Additional Answers

What can you do to help keep yourself and your family healthy?

Follow these tips from the CDC, including washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds — especially after using the restroom, leaving the home, coughing, interacting with people outside the home, and before meals. For more information on handwashing, visit the CDC’s guide on it here.
If you can’t wash your hands with soap and water, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with an alcohol content of at least 60% (you can find this on the bottle’s label). Per the CDC, studies have found that sanitizers with an alcohol concentration between 60–95% are more effective at killing germs than those with a lower alcohol concentration or non-alcohol-based hand sanitizers.
Avoid close contact with others who are sick and do not leave home unless absolutely necessary. If you do need to leave the home, practice social distancing by maintaining a minimum of 6 feet from others in public spaces. Wash your hands with soap and water and clean any smartphones or other devices with a solution that is at least 60% alcohol upon returning home.
Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue if you have to cough or sneeze, and wash or sanitize your hands as soon as you can. Quickly dispose of any used tissues appropriately. If you don’t have a tissue, you should cover your mouth with the inside of your elbow.
Disinfecting wipes are a good option for cleaning shared surfaces at home and in your vehicle. Don’t forget to clean mobile devices after every use.

What should you do if you feel sick?

Per the CDC, you should immediately call a medical professional if you begin to develop symptoms. If Ready Responders serves your community (New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Las Vegas, Reno, Los Angeles, New York, Washington DC, Miami, Shreveport, Orange County, Baltimore, Houma), you can reach us by calling (504) 370-9966. You should also contact a doctor if you’ve had contact with a person known to have COVID-19, or if you live in or have recently traveled to an area with ongoing spread of the virus (such as China, Japan, South Korea, Iran, Spain or Italy). Tell your healthcare professional about your recent travel or recent contacts outside of your home.
Ready Responders or your healthcare professional will work with your state’s public health department and the CDC to determine if you need to be tested for COVID-19.
Please stay home if you are sick. If you need to see a doctor, you should discuss your transportation options with a medical professional. Per the CDC, if you have been diagnosed with COVID-19 or suspect you may have it, you should not use ridesharing, public transportation or taxis.

About COVID-19

COVID-19 is the name for the illness caused by the novel coronavirus. CO = Corona, VI = Virus, D = Disease, 19 = 2019, the year in which the illness was first reported. Coronaviruses are a family of viruses that can cause mild illnesses (like a cold) as well as more serious respiratory illnesses like pneumonia.
Per the CDC, symptoms for COVID-19 may include fatigue, fever, cough and shortness of breath. Symptoms may appear between two to 14 days after being exposed. Most people (80%) with COVID-19 will feel like they have a bad cold or the flu. Some people will require hospitalization. The elderly and people with existing health conditions have an increased risk of severe forms of the illness.

The following information is provided solely to comply with Section 3202 of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act. No other use is intended or permitted. The “cash price” for Ready’s COVID-19 diagnostic test is $150. This price applies only to group health plans or health insurers that are not contracted with Ready for COVID-19 tests. The price is valid only during the emergency period declared under Section 319 of the Public Health Service Act.