COVID-19
Our dedicated hero’s here at the facility have and continue doing their utmost to ensure we stop the spread of COVID-19 with preemptive and proactive measures. Some of these measures are restricting/limiting entry, monitoring staff and residents for signs and symptoms, continuous training of staff, constant deep cleaning, social distancing, cessation of communal activities, stockpiling essential PPE and equipment. We are in constant communication and collaboration with state and local health officials to ensure all practically appropriate steps are taken to reduce risks. We carefully follow the latest research and guidance coming from CDC, CMS, and State Authorities, strictly adhering to all directions from the entities involved. Rest assured, we have plenty of support at all levels, and despite the PPE shortage around the country, we have the needed supplies. We understand that other family members are concerned and would like more information, however, HIPAA privacy laws prohibit us from sharing certain information without the consent of the resident or their representative, so please assist us with informing anyone else who may be concerned. We will continue to update our website with any notifications to ensure our message is clear and consistent. In the unfortunate event that we are not spared attack from this global pandemic and the invisible foe makes its way into our facility, we will be in direct contact with those who are positive, to discuss status and treatment plans. We hope this gives you peace of mind that we are working around the clock to keep your loved one safe!
Educating staff regarding the signs and symptoms of COVID – 19 (fever, cough, and/or Shortness of Breath, nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea, loss of sense of taste or smell, headache, chills, body aches, sore throat, fatigue, congestion, runny nose and, have been in close contact with a person known to have COVID – 19 or if they live in or have recently been in an area with ongoing spread of CIVD – 19 or in the last 14 days have traveled to a county with restricted visitation because of sustained community transmission).
Staff will wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment per CDC Guidelines during resident encounters to limit the potential exposure. Postings at the entrance of the facility will inform any visitor, volunteer, or other persons, of any restrictions that are currently present at our community.
The following information is per federal, state, and local guidance as well as CDC:
Visitation:
- The Facility may discourage, limit, or restrict visitation if the visitor is symptomatic of a communicable disease for reasonable clinical and safety reasons. The Facility will also take steps to make visitors aware of risk of exposure to a communicable while visiting the Facility.
- Definitions:
- Discouraging means that the facility allows normal visitation practices (except for those individuals meeting the restricted criteria), however the facility advises individuals to defer visitation until further notice (through signage, calls, etc.).
- Limiting means the individual should not be allowed to come into the facility, except for certain situations, such as end-of-life situations or when a visitor is essential for the resident’s emotional well-being and care.
- Restricting means the individual should not be allowed in the facility at all, until they no longer meet the criteria above.
- Our community will implement screening procedures appropriate to the circumstances of the public health emergency.
PPE Supplies:
- The Facility will consider the implementation of additional infection control practices during public health emergencies including, but not limited to, the following:
- Requiring visitors to wash their hands prior at the entrance of the Facility.
- Increasing the availability of hand sanitizing stations.
- Limiting visitor access to specific rooms near the entrance to limit movement within the Facility.
- Enabling methods for remote communication in lieu of in-person visitation; and
- Providing visitors with personal-protective equipment (PPE), if supplies permit doing so.
- Visitors who are unable to adhere to infection control practices may not be permitted to visit or asked to leave.
Admissions and Quarantine
- When a resident is admitted to our community, they will be placed on a unit or zone with like residents.
- Residents with confirmed cases of COVID – 19 will be placed on a Unit for positive residents called a Hot Zone or Red Zone. This is an isolation area the restricted visitation and the need for full PPE and extreme caution.
- If a resident requires quarantine for unknown status, the quarantine can end after day 10 without testing if the person has not experienced any symptoms of COVID – 19 as determined by daily monitoring.
- If a resident required quarantine for unknown status, the quarantine could end after day 7 IF the person tests negative on a viral test (Molecular or antigen test) and has experienced no symptoms as determined by monitoring. The test must occur on day 5 or later and quarantine cannot be discontinued earlier than after day 7.
- Quarantine is no longer recommended for residents who are being admitted to the nursing facility, if they are fully vaccinated and have not had prolonged close contact with someone with a COVDI – 19 infection in the prior 14 days or are recovered from COVID – 19 infection for less than 90 days.
- All residents will be monitored for no less than 14 days for signs and symptoms of COVID – 19 regardless of their quarantine status.
Out on Pass
- In a effort to continue to keep our residents safe, our community is committed to following federal, state and local guidance on residents who go out on pass.
- The community will encourage residents to wear a facemask or cloth face covering for source control whenever they leave their room or are around others, including when they leave the facility.
- Our community will ensure the resident is making an informed decision when going out on pass.
- We will inform the resident and/or the representative who is taking the resident out on pass, the risks and benefits of spending time in the community, including risk of exposure and contracting COVID – 19.
- Education will be provided about infection control and prevention, prior to leaving the building.
- Upon return we will assist the resident in discarding or cleaning the mask or covering that was worn.
- We will provide hand sanitizer for hand hygiene upon return
- Hard surface items will be cleaned upon reentry
- The resident will be screened upon return.
- If a resident is to be gone overnight, the facility will quarantine if they meet criteria, like being unvaccinated or not having recovered from COVID – 19 in the last 90 days
STEPS OUR NURSING HOME IS TAKING
We continue to care for our residents with an infection prevention and control process to maximize the health and safety of the vulnerable population we serve. Our team continues to use our enhanced processes to minimize the risk of exposure and to provide clinical and operational personnel the information and tools necessary to address COVID – 19 situations.
The following is a summary of measures undertaken to date consistent with regulatory guidance:
Interdisciplinary Task Force
Led by our Medical Director and our Regional Clinical team, the interdisciplinary team is in constant communication working together to practice efficient and effective procedures and processes to minimize the risk of exposure and stay prepared for a possible spread. Our community continues to communicate with regulators as well as trade associations and other healthcare providers to obtain the most up to date information to allow us to evaluate and implement the most effective prevention and control practices.
Resident Monitoring
Our clinicians are vigilantly monitoring resident heath. We have educated our staff on identifying residents who might be at risk from COVID – 19 and are prepared to implement necessary interventions for the residents should the need arises.
Employee and Visitor Screening
We continue to screen all employees and any visitor who enters our community for symptoms and potential exposure to COVID – 19 as part of a continued effort to try to decrease the chances of an occurrence of an outbreak in our community.
Facility Maintenance
We continue to practice frequent cleaning on high touch surfaces and high trafficked public areas with EPA approved hospital – based disinfectants. Alcohol Based Hand Sanitizers are available throughout our community that is readily available for use by residents, staff, and visitors.
Visitation and Screening
Based on guidance published by regulators at federal, state, and local levels; the community will continue to screen visitors as part of our visitation process. The visitors will be required to go through the screening process prior to entry to the facility. A visitor may not visit if they have symptoms of COVID – 19 such as; fever, headache, nausea or vomiting and/or diarrhea, loss of taste or smell, nasal congestion, cough, runny nose, sore throat, have been exposed to a COVID – 19 positive person or persons and were not protected, have been in contact with someone who has a respiratory illness or infection and did not have on appropriate Personal Protective Equipment, have traveled or participated in any settings where crowds are confined to a common location and did not wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment, or have had a positive COVID – 19 test in the last ten days,
We know that this will be challenging for our residents and their families and loved ones and appreciate your understanding and cooperation to protect the health and safety of your loved ones.
- Essential Care Givers must be registered, and each resident can have 2 Essential Care Givers who can visit at the same time.
- Essential Care Givers should be trained on proper infection control processes and how to properly wear and remove Personal Protective Equipment.
- Essential Care Givers will be allowed to visit their loved ones as permitted by the regulators from the federal, state, and local levels, and when changes with visitation occur, the Essential Care Givers will be informed.
- End of Life visits will be permitted on a case by case and will be allowed as permitted by the regulators from the federal, state, and local levels, and family members will be informed of current rules on a case by case basis.
Social Distancing
Our community will continue to practice social distancing as outlined by federal, state, and local regulators. We encourage our visitors to maintain a safe 6-foot distance between employees and other residents while visiting in our community.
Staff Testing
Our regulators have provided guidance on our ongoing testing of staff. We follow these requirements and report results to our regulatory agencies. We are committed to keeping you informed as well and have an ongoing report on this website as to the positive cases that are identified with our ongoing testing.
Vaccinations
We are dedicated to protecting our residents, staff and visitors and have encouraged our residents and staff to become vaccinated. We will continue to hold vaccination clinics as part of an ongoing effort to end the pandemic. Please encourage your family member to become vaccinated and consent to a vaccination for them if you speak on their behalf.
We encourage visitors to become vaccinated to support or objectives of the safety of our residents, staff, and visitors. As part of this effort, we are encouraging you to visit our vaccination tab on our website as there are resources we are offering as well as Question and Answers to alleviate any fears of receiving the vaccination.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact our representatives at this community and we will be happy to assist you.
Thank you for your continued partnership in the care and quality of life for your loved ones and our residents.
Family Letter regarding the COVID – 19 Vaccination
Dear Loved Ones of our Residents:
Thank you for everything you do to protect yourself and our residents from getting COVID – 19. As many of you know, residents of long-term care facilities are among those now being offered COVID – 19 vaccinations. Making sure residents received COVID – 19 vaccinations early will help save their lives. Because many residents have underlying health condition and live in group settings, they are at a higher risk of infection and severe illness from COVID – 19. Our residents matter to us and getting vaccinated is an important step to prevent them from getting sick with COVID – 19 disease.
To offer convenient access to the vaccine, we have partnered with our pharmacy and other local pharmacies to provide on-site COVID – 19 vaccinations for resident and staff free of charge. When a resident agrees to get vaccinated, or persons appointed to make medical decisions agrees to have a resident vaccinated, it will be documented in the resident’s medical chart. We will work directly with you and the resident to ensure the resident received a fact sheet before vaccination. Explaining the risks and benefits of the COVID – 19 vaccine. This is called an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) Fact Sheet. We will require a written, email or verbal consent from residents/authorized decision makers before they are vaccinated.
We understand you may have questions about the vaccine. Residents may have some side effects, which are normal signs that their bodies are building protection. The most common side effects are pain at the injection site, fever, and chills. These side effects tend to be mild to moderate and go away on their own within 1 – 2 days. We will work with residents and families to report any health problems that occur after vaccination to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS), even if we are unsure that the vaccine caused the health problem. We call these types of health problems possible side effects or adverse events. Healthcare professionals are required by law to report certain adverse events after receiving the COVID – 19 vaccine. In addition, we are encouraging residents who have a smart phone to enroll in V – Safe, a tool that can be used to tell the CDC if someone has any side effects after getting a COVID – 19 vaccine.
COVID – 19 vaccines are in important tool to help stop the pandemic. However, even after vaccination, everyone in the facility will continue following all the current guidance to protect themselves and others, including wearing a mask, staying at least 6 feet away from others, following facility guidance on visitation and infection control, and frequently performing proper hand hygiene.
Thank you again for all you are doing to keep yourself and your family members safe. We will continue to update you on any new information about the COVID – 19 vaccination. Please contact us with any further questions.
Thank you,
Vaccination Information
Prior to COVID – 19 we followed the infection prevention process with immunizations by offering Flu and Pneumonia vaccinations. Currently we are and will continue to offer the COVID – 19 vaccination to our residents and staff as an effort to minimize the risk of the spread of this infection.
COVID – 19 are effective at protecting you from getting sick even after you have had COVID – 19. Vaccination is an important tool to help us get ack to normal.
How the Vaccine Works
When germs, such as the virus that causes COVID – 19, invade our bodies, they attack and multiply. This invasion, called an infection, is what causes illness. Our immune system uses several tools to fight infection. Blood contains red cells, which carry oxygen to tissues and organs, and white or immune cells, which fight infection. Different types of white blood cells fight infection in different ways.
Different types of vaccines work in different ways to offer protection. But with all types of vaccines, the body is left with a supply or “memory” T- lymphocytes and well as B-lymphocytes that will remember how to fight that virus in the future.
Vaccine Effectiveness
- All COVID-19 vaccines currently available in the United States are effective at preventing COVID-19 as seen in clinical trial settings.
- Research provides growing evidence that mRNA COVID-19 vaccines offer similar protection in real world conditions.
- COVID-19 vaccination is an important tool to help stop the COVID-19 pandemic.
- COVID-19 vaccination helps protect people from getting sick or severely ill with COVID-19 and might also help protect people around them.
- To receive the most protection, people should receive all recommended doses of a COVID-19 vaccine.
- Some people who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 will still get sick because no vaccine is 100% effective. Experts continue to monitor and evaluate how often this occurs, how severe their illness is, and how likely a vaccinated person is to spread COVID-19 to others.
- CDC recommends you get a COVID-19 vaccine as soon as one is available to you.
- Millions of People Have Safely Received a COVID-19 Vaccine
- Over 351 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been given in the United States from December 14, 2020, through August 9, 2021.
- COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective. COVID-19 vaccines were evaluated in tens of thousands of participants in clinical trials. The vaccines met the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) rigorous scientific standards for safety, effectiveness, and manufacturing quality needed to support emergency use authorization (EUA). Learn more about EUAs in this videoexternal icon.
- Millions of people in the United States have received COVID-19 vaccines since they were authorized for emergency use by FDA. These vaccines have undergone and will continue to undergo the most intensive safety monitoring in U.S. history. This monitoring includes using both established and new safety monitoring systems pdf icon[PDF – 83 KB] to make sure that COVID-19 vaccines are safe.
It typically takes a few weeks after vaccination for the body to produce these “memory” cells. Therefore, it is possible that a person could be infected with the virus that causes COVID- 19 just before or just after vaccination and then get sick because the vaccine did not have enough time to provide protection.
Sometime after vaccination, the process of building immunity can cause symptoms, such as fever. These symptoms are normal and are signs that the body is building immunity.
When getting your vaccination regardless of one dose vaccination or two dose vaccination it will take up to 2 weeks after the final dose to be considered “Fully Immunized” Please continue to protect yourself and others by wearing a mask.
Fact Sheets (EUS) for the following vaccinations
Please click on the blue hyperlink to review and print for your keeping. You will need to review this prior to your loved one getting the vaccination and each fact sheet is specific to the individual vaccination.
Pfizer – BioNTech (EUA)
https://www.fda.gov/media/144414/download
Moderna Fact Sheet (EUA)
https://www.fda.gov/media/144638/download
Johnson and Johnson Fact Sheet (EUA)
https://www.fda.gov/media/146305/download
Side Effects
Common side effects include:
- Swelling, Redness, and pain at injection site
- Fever
- Headache
- Tiredness
- Muscle Pain
- Chills
- Nausea
Delta Variant
- The Delta variant is more contagious: The Delta variant is highly contagious, more than 2x as contagious as previous variants.
- Some data suggest the Delta variant might cause more severe illness than previous strains in unvaccinated persons. In two different studies from Canada and Scotland, patients infected with the Delta variant were more likely to be hospitalized than patients infected with Alpha or the original virus strains.
- Unvaccinated people remain the greatest concern: Although breakthrough infections happen much less often than infections in unvaccinated people, individuals infected with the Delta variant, including fully vaccinated people with symptomatic breakthrough infections, can transmit it to others. CDC is continuing to assess data on whether fully vaccinated people with asymptomatic breakthrough infections can transmit. However, the greatest risk of transmission is among unvaccinated people who are much more likely to contract, and therefore transmit the virus.
Fully vaccinated people with Delta variant breakthrough infections can spread the virus to others. However, vaccinated people appear to be infectious for a shorter period: Previous variants typically produced less virus in the body of infected fully vaccinated people (breakthrough infections) than in unvaccinated people. In contrast, the Delta variant seems to produce the same high amount of virus in both unvaccinated and fully vaccinated people. However, like other variants, the amount of virus produced by Delta breakthrough infections in fully vaccinated people also goes down faster than infections in unvaccinated people. This means fully vaccinated people are likely infectious for less time than unvaccinated people.
Vaccination Resources
Information on Key things to know about the COVID – 19 Vaccination:
How to talk to friends and families about the COVID Vaccination
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/talk-about-vaccines.html
Knowledge quiz on COVID Vaccines
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/quiz-how-much-do-you-know.html
Benefit of getting the Vaccination
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/vaccine-benefits.html
How Vaccines get to you
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/distributing.html
Developing the Vaccination Information
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/distributing/steps-ensure-safety.html
Interim Guidance on Ending Isolation and Precautions for Adults with COVID-19
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/duration-isolation.html
Pfizer – BioNTech Fact Sheet (EUA)
https://www.fda.gov/media/144414/download
Moderna Fact Sheet (EUA)
https://www.fda.gov/media/144638/download
Johnson and Johnson Fact Sheet (EUA)
https://www.fda.gov/media/146305/download
Should someone who has had COVID – 19 get the vaccination?
Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS)
V-safe Information
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/safety/vsafe.html
Guidance for People Fully Vaccinated
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/fully-vaccinated.html
If you haven’t been vaccinated yet (find a vaccine)
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/How-Do-I-Get-a-COVID-19-Vaccine.html
Delta Variant
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/variants/delta-variant.html
Resource Page:
CDC Main Website: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
FAQ via CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/faq.html
Additional Resources
- 5 minute video of a guided meditation that is based on conscious breathing.
- The Psychology Of Uncertainty: How To Cope With COVID-19 Anxiety
- 7 Ways to Boost Your Loved One’s Morale During the Coronavirus Epidemic
- https://www.aarp.org/caregiving/health/info-2020/boost-morale-during-coronavirus.html?intcmp=AE-HP-TTN-R4-POS2-REALPOSS-TODAY
Your Health Information from CDC
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
How to protect yourself
How it Spreads
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/transmission/index.html
Prevention
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/faq.html#Prevention
If you have contact with someone who is sick
Symptoms of COVID – 19
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html
Symptoms and Emergency Signs
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/faq.html#Symptoms-&-Emergency-Warning-Signs
What to do if you are sick
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/steps-when-sick.html
When to Quarantine
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/quarantine.html
Potential Treatments
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/treatments-for-severe-illness.html
Post COVID Conditions
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/long-term-effects.html
The Site cannot and does not contain medical or health advice. The medical health information is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice. Accordingly, before taking any actions based upon such information, we encourage you to consult with the appropriate professionals. We do not provide any kind medical or health advice. The use or reliance of any information contained on this site is solely at your own risk.