COVID-19 UPDATE: Edition #28
* April 30th, 2021
As we approach month 15 of COVID-19, we continue to receive regular updates, requirement/standards changes and “best practice” advice through the CDC, PADOH and LeadingAge PA. The majority of the recent updates focus on vaccinations, testing standards, personal protective equipment (PPE) and visitation standards.
The decision making process at Saint John XXIII Home, related to testing, visitation and quarantine requirements will be based on: Facility vaccination rate, Mercer County Positivity Rate and the facility outbreak status. Our desire to “open up” to the highest degree possible, while maintaining a level of safety. Keep in mind that the spread of the virus has “slowed” but it is NOT gone. This will be explained in more detail below.
VACCINATIONS: The CDC has established a targeted (goal) vaccination rate of 75% for Nursing Home/Personal Care providers. At this time, our resident vaccination percentage across our campus is 90%. We are very grateful to achieve the 90% level. In addition, through our partnership with MediRx pharmacy, we are able to continue to offer vaccines to new residents and staff. We continue to encourage everyone to become vaccinated.
TESTING STANDARDS: Surveillance (routine) testing standards continue to evolve as more is learned about the vaccination impact. Effective today, we will once again update our Staff Testing policy. The recommendation is to now base Staff testing frequency on the employee vaccination status. Moving forward we will test according to the Mercer County positivity rate (0-5% Every other week), (5-10% weekly) and (10+% twice weekly).
WHEN WE WILL TEST:
Surveillance Testing Vaccinated Residents: none
Surveillance Testing Unvaccinated Residents: none
Surveillance Testing Vaccinated Staff: none
Surveillance Testing Unvaccinated staff: Test according to Mercer County Rate (above)
Signs/symptoms present Vaccinated Resident or staff: Test and assess for quarantine.
Signs/symptoms present Unvaccinated Resident or staff: Test and assess for quarantine.
Exposure to COVID positive individuals Vaccinated Residents and staff : Monitor for S/S
Exposure to COVID positive individuals Unvaccinated Residents and staff: Test and quarantine
Facility Outbreak (positive case): 2x Weekly testing of ALL Staff and Residents potentially impacted.
2 consecutive weeks of negative results to discontinue and
Resume surveillance testing (above).
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT: While we encourage our residents to wear a mask during visits, we do not require such. We do require residents to wear a mask while off campus (if tolerated). Staff are required to properly wear surgical masks, when in the facility. Masks can be removed by staff when social distancing standards can be met, in designated breakrooms (for example lunch break). In the event of a facility outbreak (positive case), staff will be required to wear N-95 mask, goggles/shield and further protective equipment based on their role. Visitors are required to wear masks at all times.
VISITATIONS: At long last, we are making progress toward increasing family socialization opportunities. This is possible due to our vaccination percentages. Please keep in mind that it is NOT our intent to prevent family visits. Our focus is limiting the “travel” INSIDE our facility. While there is a desire for many families to “visit in their loved one’s room”, this simply is not a safe process for our facility. Our structured visitations on Wednesdays and Fridays, allows for visits to occur, while also maintaining a designated area to ensure that proper and timely cleaning is conducted. We encourage everyone to take advantage of the scheduled visits in Roncalli Center by schedule between 9am-9pm daily (724-981-3200). We fully recognize that our designated days/times may not fit within everyone’s schedule. We are willing/able to assist in making alternative arrangements if necessary.
Effective immediately, we will also implement increased visitation opportunities . In addition to the Wednesday/ Friday “structured visitation”, families of VACCINATED residents will be able to have unstructured visits outside the facility with their loved one, without the need to quarantine upon return. For example, these visits could be off campus, utilizing the front porch or taking strolls around the outside of the facility. We do ask that masks are worn during these visits and the core principles of COVID 19 are followed. Unvaccinated residents certainly have the right to have “unstructured visits” outside the facility, however, a 72 hour isolation period will be required upon return/reentry.
In an effort to streamline the “out of facility visits” process, we ask that you give our nursing department(s) advance notice of your planned visit. Our staff will be able to assist your loved one to the front lobby area for the outside visit. This will also help to decrease the waiting period and congestion at the front lobby area.
As you know, we remain diligent related to the prevention/mitigation of this virus. We have a passion to keep our residents, visitors and staff as safe as possible. With this in mind, structured and unstructured visitation will be assessed on a regular basis. IF the county rate climbs above 10% or the facility experiences an outbreak, we will alter the visitation process as a mitigation effort. We ask that everyone use good judgement with these visitation opportunities and by all means, notify us immediately if you learn of a possible exposure following your visit.
Thank you for your support, trust and understanding during these unprecedented times.
Sincerely,
Kirk Hawthorne, Administrator