I’m hopeful this update finds you and your family safe and well.  Our family here at Saint John XXIII Home continues to be “COVID FREE”, as our staff remain diligent related to mitigation of the virus.  Our entire staff is grateful for your cooperation, patience, efforts to mitigate the virus and for on-going prayer for our residents, staff and facility.

As you know, Mercer County moved into the “Green phase”, on June 5^th, 2020.  At that time, the Pennsylvania Department of Health (PADOH) determined that standards for PA nursing homes would not change “for at least 28 days” after their county moved to the Green Phase.  A few days later, the PADOH announced that they would release further “re-opening” standards in early July.  We anticipate that these “re-opening” standards will include; resuming activity programming to some degree, barber/beauty services, visitation allowances, etc.

In addition to the upcoming July standards, the PADOH has already issued new/revised standards related to COVID-19 mitigation.  These revisions include BASELINE TESTING of ALL residents and staff for COVID-19.  Baseline testing will begin the week of June 15^th, here at Saint John XXIII Home.  We will notify residents/responsible party PRIOR to the test administration, as well as, upon receipt of test results.  We are hopeful that tests results will be negative for all residents/staff.  However, an additional standard is for the facility to have a plan to handle current positive cases and/or possible exposure.  This plan requires a plan to create; “green”, “yellow”, “Red” zones within the facility.  As you can imagine, this is a monumental task and by nature will need to be a fluid process.  Certainly our goal is to have a facility wide “Green Zone” but be prepared should the need dictate such.

Please know that we are doing everything possible to keep our residents and staff safe.  We are approaching a time of creation of a “new normal” related to care, services and visitation in healthcare facilities.  In the meantime, please continue to reach out to your loved one via telephone, email, Skype, Facebook, common area window visits or mail.  We ask that you do NOT conduct window visits at your loved ones “room window”, due to dignity, privacy and COVID prevention purposes.

As we approach this time of baseline testing, we ask that you continue to pray for our residents and staff.  Mercer County has gone “Green” but please remember that the risks for those who work and reside in nursing homes remain.  With that in mind, please continue to social distance, wash your hands, wear a mask and do your part to prevent the spread. 

Sincerely,

Kirk Hawthorne

Administrator/CEO

Saint John XXIII Home

TO:  Residents / Family Members

FROM:  Kirk Hawthorne, Administrator

DATE:  6/4/2020

RE:  Universal (BASELINE) COVID-19 Testing

As you know, we’ve been dealing with the consequences of the CORONAVIRUS for approximately 13+ weeks now in Pennsylvania and more specifically at Saint John XXIII Home.  I want to say “Thank You” to everyone for your patience, cooperation, understanding, support and prayers throughout this pandemic.

Mercer County has entered the Green Phase of Governor Wolf’s “process to reopen Pennsylvania”, however, congregate care (nursing homes/personal care homes) restrictions remain in place.  The Center for Medicare Services (CMS) has released “reopening recommendations for State/Local officials”.  Due to the nature of the vulnerable population living in nursing homes, the PA Dept of Health has announced that the current restrictions shall remain in effect for at least 28 more days after the beginning of the Green Phase in each county.

The PA Department of Health announced: “to develop a well-informed, manageable plan that ensures a measured approach for the safe return to activities, visitation, and other events for residents in skilled nursing facilities, the Department conferring with stakeholders that include the state’s ombudsman, SNF representative, nursing home associations, other government agencies, and academia”.  Upon completion of that process, the Department will issue guidance that amends the restrictions currently in place.

With this in mind, BASELINE TESTING of RESIDENTS and STAFF will be required to some degree.  This could be weekly testing of residents & staff or a percentage of resident and staff weekly.  The above final rule will clarify testing requirements, which I anxiously await.

In an attempt to be as prepared as possible to meet the “re-open” standards, next week, Saint John XXIII Home staff will be contacting each Responsible Party to secure COVID-19 TESTING CONSENT.  This consent shows agreement to participate in the Baseline testing.  Once testing starts, you will be notified by nursing staff BEFORE the actual test is conducted, as well as, with results. 

We are prepared and anticipate testing to begin Mid-June.  The “FINAL RULE” from the PA Dept of Health will dictate the frequency and duration of the baseline testing.  The “Final Rule”, as well as, the results of the baseline tests, will determine our next step related to; a new normal, activities, dining services, beauty shop, visitation, etc.  As we wait for further rule clarification, please continue to wear a mask, wash your hands frequently and social distance.

Thank you.

QUESTION & ANSWER:

QUESTION:

How many residents/staff have tested positive for COVID-19?

ANSWER:

As of today, we have been fortunate to have zero cases of COVID-19, amongst our residents and staff.  We continue to be diligent regarding our infection control process, mask use, handwashing and implementation of “Best Practice” processes related to visitation, admissions, etc.

QUESTION:

It’s been reported on the news that Pennsylvania is requiring testing of all residents/staff who work in Nursing Homes and Personal Care Homes.  When will this be done at Saint John?

ANSWER:

GREAT QUESTION!  Federal and State governments (including Pennsylvania) are beginning to push for universal testing in LONG TERM CARE facilities.  On May 12^th, Secretary Levine of the Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) announced plans to begin universal testing for long term care residents and staff. 

The guidance suggests that Pennsylvania, in addition to its ongoing efforts to prevent and mitigate outbreaks in facilities, will implement universal testing of staff and residents as part of a statewide testing strategy.  The Overview also references guidance issued to hospitals that require a resident who is being discharged from a hospital to a nursing home or personal care home be tested for COVID-19, even if they were not hospitalized due to the virus.

The DOH is recommending facility-wide testing of all residents at any facilities with CONFIRMED or SUSPECTED cases of COVID-19 to identify potential exposed and asymptomatic carriers among residents or staff that could lead to further spread of the infection.  At facilities with zero confirmed cases (ie- Saint John XXIII Home), DOH is recommending weekly facility-wide testing of 20% of staff and residents.

The above recommendations are dependent on adequate testing supplies and laboratory services to complete the testing.  At this time, facilities that report zero COVID positive cases among staff/residents will NOT be prioritized for mass testing at the Pennsylvania Department of Health Bureau of Labs (BOL).  With this in mind, Saint John XXIII Home has secured testing abilities through a relationship with Sharon Regional Hospital.  Current testing supplies and Laboratory availability/response times, are inadequate for us to implement universal testing at this time. We will continue to pursue the possibility of universal testing.  Pennsylvania’s long term care facilities are awaiting further guidance from DOH on this issue, including whether and when the recommendation will become a mandate, and how to ensure that adequate tests are available.

QUESTION:

When Governor Wolf transitions MERCER COUNTY to the “GREEN PHASE”, will family visitation resume as Saint John XXIII Home?

ANSWER:

As much as we ALL want family visitation to resume, a transition to the “GREEN PHASE” will NOT impact visitation immediately.  However, a transition to the “Green Phase” is a step in the right direction for health care providers to resume a NEW NORMAL related to visitation.  I understand, acknowledge and accept that this virus has created significant challenges.  We await direction from the Governor and/or PA DOH related to resuming visitation in Mercer County and here at Saint John XXIII Home.  Please continue to pray.

QUESTION:

If someone was identified as being symptomatic, do you have the ability to test for COVID-19?

ANSWER:

Yes, we have 20 Swab test kits on hand, should such a situation occur.  The test would be administered by our staff then sent to Sharon Regional (Lab).  The tests results would be returned in 3-5 days.  In the meantime, the individual being tested would be placed in Isolation Precautions for everyone’s safety.  Before a test would be administered, our staff would need to obtain a physician’s order, as well as, signed consent from the resident/responsible party. 

Symptomatic staff members would not be tested on site here, but rather through their own medical provider. 

QUESTION:

When will the “beauty shop” re-open?

ANSWER:

This is probably the most frequently asked question by our residents.  The beauty shop will re-open AS SOON AS we are permitted by the PA DOH.  Moving to the “Green Phase” as per the Governor’s plan, permits barber/beauty shop re-opening in the community.  However, similar to the visitation process, this does NOT mean that nursing homes/personal care homes follow the same guidelines.  At this point, we have no timeline to resume barber/beauty services, however, I do anticipate a move in this direction in the near future.  Again, these decisions are based on the direction of the DOH.

CONCLUSION:

I want to thank everyone for their patience and cooperation during this pandemic. 

RESIDENTS:  Our residents are managing a difficult situation better than most would have anticipated.  Sure, like most of us, they are anxious to see their family members, resume group activities and “get on with life”.  Please know that the phone calls, Face Time/Skype visits, letters and window visits are greatly appreciated.  If you would like to Face Time, Skype or have a window visit, we ask that you call and schedule such with our Activities Dept.  We ask that you schedule window visits to help limit the congregation of groups on our campus. 

STAFF:  I can not put into words the appreciation and respect I have for each and every one of our staff members.  Throughout this pandemic, on a daily basis, I have been humbled by the love, care and compassion our staff have for those residing here.  It sounds cliché but our staff, have been amazing and are truly HERO’s in my eyes.

FAMILY MEMBERS: I simply want/need to say “Thank You”.  Thank you for the TRUST you have shown in our staff to care for your loved one.   Thank you for following the rules imposed upon all of us to keep residents safe.  Thank you for being SUPPORTIVE of both your loved one(s) and our facility.  Thank you for your PATIENCE during these unprecedented times.  Thank you for UNDERSTANDING that we don’t have all the answers and are learning as we go.  Thank you for anxiously awaiting the times when we can visit again.