2021 Long Term Care COVID Updates

Hammond-Henry Hospital
Long Term Care Living Center
COVID-19 Updates - 2021

 

12/30/21: Over the last 48 hours, surveillance testing has resulted in two ancillary staff members and one LTC staff member that are positive for Covid-19. While the LTC member has not worked on the unit in over 48 hours, we will enter a revised Covid Testing Protocol to assure the safety of LTC personnel and residents. Testing will begin on 12/31/21 and be done weekly for two more weeks to catch and contain any spread. All visitations will continue to be welcomed to enter per CMS’s new regulation from 11/12/21.

12/26/21: We found out today that we have a positive staff member. This member tested as soon as they began experiencing symptoms in order to mitigate risk to our residents, families, and employees. Regardless, we will enter our Covid Testing Protocol to assure the safety of LTC personnel and residents. Testing will begin on 12/28/21 and be done weekly for 2 more weeks to catch and contain any spread. All visitations will continue to be welcomed to enter per CMS’s new regulation from 11/12/21.

11/26/21: We have concluded testing for LTC residents and are pleased to announce no positive tests. We will do a final round of testing next Friday for all residents and employees with hopes that we can return to normal protocol following that date. As stated before, we will continue to welcome visitors and hope that you get a chance to enjoy this holiday season with your residents.

11/18/21: We found out today that we have a positive ancillary staff member This member does not provide cares but was around residents. We will be testing all residents and staff for LTC starting tomorrow for COVID-19, and then next week and the week after to assure no developmental spread on the unit. All visitations will continue to be welcomed to enter per CMS’s new regulation from 11/12/21. 

11/03/21: On November 10th I will have the ability to offer booster shots for employees, residents, and family members of residents. Our goal is to begin resident boosters around 9:30am and then would offer employee boosters starting around 10:30am. Family members would then begin around 11:30am. Oregon Pharmacy, who will be providing the doses, has access to all 3 manufacturers, and can provide boosters or initial doses. It is recommended that those eligible to get a booster stay with their prior manufacturer, but this is not required. 

Criteria to receive booster:

  • Janssen: must be 2 months post initial vaccination 
  • Moderna: must be 6 months post initial vaccination 
  • Pfizer: must be 6 months post initial vaccination
  • All Vaccine Manufacturers: please read the attached EUA for the manufacturer that you want.
  • If you are interested in receiving an initial dose or booster, please respond to me with the following:
  1. Name: 
  2. Will this be for an Initial vaccination or Booster?: 
  3. Which vaccine manufacturer type (Pfizer, Moderna, Janssen) do you want: 
  4. Complete the consent form and bring to the LTC vestibule (bottom of the ramp) on November 10, 2021 around 11:30am. If there are a lot of employees interested, I may ask you to come later than 11:30am. 

COVID-19 VACCINE CONSENT FORM

Janssen EUA

Moderna EUA

Pfizer EUA

 

Memo1 10/20/21: Testing has concluded for affected employees and residents this week. We are happy to report that no new positives were found. We will have one more round of outbreak-based testing that will occur early next week and then will return to baseline testing per IDPH requirements.

Memo2 10/20/21: Hammond Henry LTC is happy to announce that our Pfizer booster shots (only one approved for widespread 3rd shot/booster) will be provided 11/10/21 for all residents and any staff that wish to receive it. With this memo, please also note the consent forms and informational sheets. 

10/13/21: Testing has concluded for affected employees and residents. Due to resulting positive staff members not including direct care staff or residents, we will be opening our doors to visitors and non-essential staff again. However, we would like to make it clear that masks must be worn at all times, hand washing should happen pre and post visit, and screening forms need to be filled out accurately and honestly. Hammond Henry Hospital has 3 ancillary staff members that tested positive for COVID-19. These members were all located in the same department and had minimal exposure on the unit over the past week. Still, we will have 2 more rounds of testing to assure that everyone stays negative and safe.

10/12/21: We found out today that we have a positive ancillary staff member This member does not provide cares but was around residents. We will be testing all residents today for COVID-19 and will continue to test all employees today and then again in 5-7 days. All visitations will be shut down until our tests have returned with no new positives. Please stay posted to these updates for reopening.

8/27/21:  Visitation Tip Sheet

Visitors no longer need to schedule their visits with the Activities Department unless you wish to have more than 2 people visit a resident - Please call 309-944-9155 for a larger party than 2.

  1. Visitors will fill out the Visitor Screening Form entirely – see example provided at the vestibule.
  2. Visitors check in at the nurse’s station to assure that they have completed the screening form.
  3. Once approved, the visitor may proceed with their visit and keep their screening form until they are ready to exit.
    1. Visitors are not to seek out visitation with other residents
    2. Visitors may visit with other residents at 6-foot distance if the opportunity is welcomed by that resident and occurs spontaneously
    3. Visitors may visit with other residents within 6-foot distance if the opportunity is approved by that resident and occurs spontaneously
  1. Approved Visitor Screening Forms will be filed in the Visitor Binder for potential contact tracing needs should an outbreak occur. These forms should be turned in and initialed by staff upon exit so that exit time may be filled in.
  2. A mask MUST be worn by any/all visitors, always, while within the LTC building and courtyard. Visitors who cannot follow this requirement will be asked to leave. During visitation and care activities, residents MUST also wear a mask.
  3. If a resident or visitor is unwilling to wear a mask during a visit, the visitor or resident may ask to speak with Wyatt Brieser for clarification and options (example: face shield, window visit, vestibule visit, etc). LTC staff does have the ability to end a visit and ask someone to leave if they have not followed appropriate guidelines.

8/02/21:  As we continue to work toward reopening, I wanted to share with you some updates to our visitor screening requirements. Beginning August 1st, any visitors wishing to enter the unit will need to follow the policy which is provided at the screening station and on our website. A tip sheet is also provided below and at the screening station. We appreciate your interest and diligence in keeping the residents safe. 

 

Visitation Tip Sheet

  1. Visitors no longer need to schedule their visits with the Activities Department unless you wish to have more than 2 people visit a resident - Please call 309-944-9155 for a larger party than 2.
  2. Visitors will fill out the Visitor Screening Form entirely – see example provided at the vestibule.
  3. Visitors must turn their screening form into an LTC employee and have them initial the form for entry to visit a resident.
  4. Once approved, the visitor may proceed with their visit.
    1. Visitors are not to seek out visitation with other residents
    2. Visitors may visit with other residents at 6-foot distance if the opportunity is welcomed by that resident and occurs spontaneously
    3. Visitors may visit with other residents within 6-foot distance if the opportunity is approved by that resident and occurs spontaneously
  5. Approved Visitor Screening Forms will be filed in the Visitor Binder for potential contact tracing needs should an outbreak occur.
  6. A mask MUST be worn by any/all visitors, always, while within the LTC building and courtyard. Visitors who cannot follow this requirement will be asked to leave.

 

5/12/21:  Last night (5/11/21), we were notified that an employee at HHH LTC was found positive for COVID-19. We have notified all necessary oversight entities and are isolating and following PPE as is required by IDPH and HCHD. This means that there will be no visitation for 5/12/21, and as long as no new positive tests are found, the unit will be back open on 5/13/21. The employee had not been in the LTC for >48 hours prior to the test and so we are hopeful that there will be no further concern. However, we will provide updates as necessary if there were to be further concern.

4/13/21:  Tip Sheet for HHH-LTC Visitation

Visitation

  • Allowed based on scheduling with Activities Department 309-944-9155 on first come, first serve basis.
  • All visitors will be screened at East Entrance of hospital and perform hand hygiene pre and post visitation.
  • It is recommended that residents and visitors wear masks and always sustain 6 feet social distancing.
  • Visitors are required to always wear a mask within HHH-LTC grounds.
  • Visitors must keep 6-foot separation from residents that are not included in the scheduled visit.
  • Maximum of 2 visitors at any time (special considerations to be reviewed upon request)
  • Once screened, visitors will ring doorbell outside HHH-LTC double doors and will be greeted and directed by HHH-LTC staff.
  • Visitors are not to leave a resident room or area without informing staff.
  • 6-foot social distancing and masking is always recommended for all visitors and residents.
  • Visitors are responsible for keeping 6-foot social distance from all other residents.

 

Special Considerations

  • To gain leniency for a special occasion or need, contact the Activities Department at 309-944-9155 to explain need and allow for a review of the situation.
  • Any time that slots are filled, or shutdowns make it difficult to perform visitation, friends and family are welcome to check the resident off the unit. Unvaccinated residents may be subject to observation or quarantine upon return.

*** If a resident or visitor cannot follow the guidelines listed above, that resident and/or visitor will lose the ability to participate in visitations and the resident may be placed on isolation precautions to assure the safety of others.

*** For questions or concerns, contact 309-944-9155, 309-944-9156, or 309-944-9145.

3/28/21: This afternoon we were notified that an employee at HHH LTC was found positive for COVID-19. We have notified all necessary oversight entities and are isolating and following PPE as required by IDPH and HCHD. This means that there will be no visitation for at least 2 weeks (updates will be made available at time of reopening) as we navigate through the reopening process. We will still have fence and window visits available. Please feel free to bring phones for improved communication.  We also have the ability to do facetime visits. We are sorry for any inconvenience. For questions, please contact Wyatt Brieser at 309-944-9156.

Below is the progression that we hope to move through in the coming weeks.

  1. Phase 1 from 3/28 through 4/11
    1. Employees and residents will both test on Sunday or Monday of each week
    2. All employees in N-95s for these weeks
    3. Visitors will not be allowed in the unit during this time, except for compassionate care and case specific concerns.
    4. Window and fence visits are allowed to occur
  2. Phase 2 from 4/12 through 4/26
    1. Testing will revert back to once monthly for all employees and no residents will need to be tested further unless symptoms appear
    2. All employees can return to surgical mask use
    3. Visitors may return to courtyard and vestibule visitation
  3. Phase 3 possible by 4/27
    1. Updated visitation policy for visitors to begin re-entry to the unit

3/2/21: We are happy to announce that we have entered Phase 3 of reopening. With this, we will now be allowed to facilitate indoor visitation in our welcome area/vestibule, just outside of the LTC doors. We will continue these options until IDPH and CDC allow for more leniency or if we were to regress back to outbreak status (pray that we can avoid regressions). With this memo posting, please also find the updated visitation guidelines and options. All visitors are responsible for reviewing these policies and following them in order to keep each other safe and hopefully allow for further leniencies as risks reduce over time. If you have any questions, please contact Diane Fortune, Activities Director at 309-944-9155 or Wyatt Brieser, Manager at 309-944-9156.

1/18/21: With the lifting of Tier 3 mitigation for Henry County, we are excited to begin calculated reopening so that families can return to visiting with loved ones once again. This is in no way a return to pre Covid-19 activity, but we are thankful to be taking steps in the right direction. Please see the new policy posted for instructions. If you would like to begin the essential caregiver vetting process, please contact Diane Fortune, Activities Director at 309-944-9155 or Wyatt Brieser, Manager at 309-944-9156.

1/6/21: We are pleased to announce that our first round of Covid-19 vaccines were provided to all residents and staff that provided consent on Saturday 1/2/21. Thankfully, there were no significant reactions to the vaccines and all residents and staff are well. This marks the next step in making sure that we are prepared for reopening activities -which we will look to begin as soon as IDPH and the governor end Tier 3 Mitigation and we are again eligible to enter Phase II of “reopening status”.

Walgreens is scheduled to return in 3-4 weeks to provide our second dose of the vaccine. Please continue to pray for no positive test results on the unit, improving positivity statistics, safe/effective distribution of vaccinations, and continued progress toward a pre-COVID atmosphere. Please also keep an eye out for our policy which is going through an approval process which highlights the “Essential Caregiver” requirements. This policy is how we will go about opening the LTC to more possibilities of visitation. It is in no way an immediate return to our pre-COVID days, but it should at least grant families some access to loved ones and provide a calculated step in the right direction. As always, things could change and are dependent upon state regulations, but at least there is some hope for all of us to see more of each other in 2021.