Update From Administrator – September 23, 2020
September 23, 2020
Dear Families and Friends,
As always, our team and I hope this email finds you safe and healthy. Testing of our staff and residents continues on a weekly basis and I am happy to report that we remain Covid-free!
A few quick points:
•I want to remind everyone that this pandemic is still active and although we remain Covid-free, Connecticut and other states continue to report new cases. This serves as a reminder that we must all remain vigilant in following all guidelines, recommendations, and best practices to stay safe and fight this pandemic.
•Although we are following social distance guidelines, handwashing protocols, hygiene recommendations, and wearing masks in our center -it is still STRONGLY encouraged that all staff and residents receive an annual Influenza vaccine. Please consider completing a consent form in advance to ensure you loved one receives their vaccine.
•As you may have heard on the news, nursing homes will begin receiving “Rapid” Covid testing machines from the federal government over the coming weeks. The state of CT DPH has approved their use for staff, residents, and visitors. As soon as we receive the machines, have conducted training on them, and have the necessary supplies to conduct the tests -we look forward to putting them to use! More
information will follow on this as it becomes available.
•We have received the “Point of Care Testing Device” from the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) that is designed to enable us to conduct Covid-19 Antigen testing within our center, providing rapid results. We are working on getting our clinicians certified in the use of this device and will communicate with you once we begin using it.
Visitation Update
We are completing a new visitation plan and policy for our center that is thoughtful, safe, and compliant with the new state guidance. Our Interdisciplinary Team will review and develop individual, person-centered plans to meet our residents’ needs to address “visitation.”
We would like to clarify that the new guidance did specifically add what is called a “compassionate care visit.” These compassionate care visits are limited to two circumstances: end stage of life (which has always been in place) and a significant change of condition. It is only these specific compassionate care visits that can occur inside of the center. No other indoor visits will be allowed by DPH at this time. We are aware that the DPH guidance may evolve, and as it does, we will adjust our plans and share them with you.
Should a new case of Covid be identified in the center, all inside visits, except end stage of life, will be temporarily put on hold.
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 and window visits are still possible. 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.
Thank you and please stay safe and healthy!
Sincerely,
Michael Chippinelli
Our Zoom Call is today at 4pm.