Update from Administrator – December 10, 2020
December 10, 2020
Dear Families,
As always, our team and I hope this email finds you safe and healthy. We have two very important updates to share with you today:
Vaccine Update
As you may have seen in the news, some exciting updates have taken place regarding the COVID-19 vaccine. Our pharmacy providers are working to schedule several dates to visit our center to hold “vaccine clinics” to administer the vaccine. To plan for this, we need consents from families to administer the vaccine to their loved ones. The consent process is similar to that of the yearly flu vaccine that we strongly recommend everyone receive.
Within the next day or two, we will have the consent forms out to you to fill-out and return. Unlike the flu vaccine which we order, administer, and maintain for a period of time in the center, the COVID-19 vaccine will be administered on a specific date(s) and only that date(s).
If we do not have the signed consent form in advance, they may not administer the vaccine. Therefore, it is imperative that we receive the consent back ASAP in order to include your loved one in the order.
Given the nature of the pandemic thus far, we strongly recommend everyone participate. Below are a few links to websites with additional information on the vaccine that may answer your questions.
AMDA: FAQs about the COVID-19 Vaccine for PALTC Staff, Patients, Residents and Family Members http://paltc.org/…/QA%20about%20the%20COVID-19%20Vaccine%20…
CDC: About COVID-19 vaccines. https://www.cdc.gov/…/2019-ncov/vaccines/about-vaccines.html
https://www.cdc.gov/…/covid-conver…/answering-questions.html
CDC: Understanding the Pharmacy Partnership for Long-Term Care Program and Frequently Asked Questions. https://www.cdc.gov/…/long-term-…/pharmacy-partnerships.html
Visitation Update
Due to the fact that our facility still has residents and staff who have tested Positive for the Coronavirus, our entire center is required to place a pause on INDOOR visitation until there are no more new cases of the coronavirus for a minimum of 14 days.
o This means ONLY outdoor or Alternative visits are permitted.
o NO indoor visits are allowed until the 14-Day Quarantine is up.
• Any time a positive test is determined, the 14-Day Quarantine will begin again.
• This also affects activities and the use of our dining room. During an “outbreak,” no communal dining and activities may take place.
• Hospice and end of life visits are exempt from these guidelines.
Our current situation is: 17 staff who tested positive and 17 residents who have tested positive. We have 4 staff who have recovered and returned to work and we have 4 residents currently who have recovered.
Indoor Visits
As a reminder, our indoor visitation policy and procedures follow state and federal requirements. Based on that, nursing homes and visitors must adhere to many conditions that we listed in previous emails. These policies and procedures will be in place at the time when we are able to resume Indoor Visits.
Some of the policies and procedures are listed below:
• We must limit the number of visitors per patient at one time and limit the total number of visitors in the center at a time. This will be based on the amount of physical space we have available for our designated visitation area, which is our activity room and arts room.
• Screening for anyone who enters our center – temperature and health screen questionnaire – will take place by a member of our team.
• We cannot allow visitors to move freely throughout our center; visitors will go directly to the designated visitation area as directed by facility staff.
• Hand hygiene must be followed and personal protection equipment (PPE) must be worn by visitors.
Outside & “Alternative” Visits
Please know that outside and “alternative” visitations will continue. While the weather is changing, we will work to continue to do outside visits on our patio for as long as possible. Please keep in mind that some of our residents may not want to go out in the cold for a visit, while other residents may enjoy the cold. We will honor each resident’s wishes as it pertains to outside visits. The weather seems to be holding steady for now. Remember that we do offer iPads for our residents to use for video visits, phone calls, etc. to ensure that you and your loved ones remain in contact, as best as you can during these very uncertain times.
We are reminding our staff to not only practice safeguards against COVID in our center, but to be vigilant outside of our center and share these practices with their friends and loved ones. We still ask you to do your part while in your community and PLEASE wear your mask, wash your hands, and watch your distance. And please promote these very simple precautions with your extended family and friends.
As always, thank you for your patience and please stay safe and healthy!
Please know that there will be a call tomorrow, Friday, 12/11/2020 at 1 p.m.
Best wishes to you and all your loved ones.
Sincerely,
Linda A. Urbanski, Ph.D.
Adminstrator