Update from Administrator – January 22, 2021
January 22, 2021
Dear Families,
As always, we hope this letter finds you safe and healthy as we journey together into the New Year.
Our current Covid-19 status is that we have both Staff and Residents identified as Covid-19 positive. As such, our current situation is that we are currently closed to indoor visitation. Therefore, we would like to take a moment to share these reminders:
Visitation Update
Governor Baker recently rolled back many restrictions within the Commonwealth due to the increase in community spread. With that in mind, nursing home visitation has been impacted to meet the below guidelines:
- Once a center has a Staff member or Resident test positive for COVID-19, the unit where the resident resides, or the staff member works is placed under a 14 day quarantine.
- This means ONLY outdoor or Alternative visits are permitted.
- NO indoors are allowed for anyone on that unit until the 14-Day Quarantine is up.
- Every time a positive test is determined, the 14-Day Quarantine will begin again.
- If multiple units within the center area affected, or many staff throughout the center are infected, the entire center may pause indoor visitation out of an abundance of caution. Hospice and end of life visits are except from these guidelines.
Our current situation is: We are currently closed to indoor visitation.
Indoor Visits
As a reminder, our indoor visitation policy and procedures follow state and federal requirements. Based on that, nursing homes and visitors must adhere to many conditions that we listed in previous emails. Some are listed below:
- We must limit the number of visitors per patient at one time and limit the total number of visitors in the center at a time. This will be based on the amount of physical space we have available for our designated visitation area, which is our Main Dining Room.
- Screening for anyone who enters our center – temperature and health screen questionnaire – will take place by a member of our team.
- We cannot allow visitors to move freely throughout our center; visitors will go directly to the designated visitation area, Main Dining Room.
- Hand hygiene must be followed and personal protection equipment (PPE) must be worn by visitors.
Outside & “Alternative” Visits
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. The weather seems to be holding steady for now. 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.
We are reminding our staff to not only practice safeguards against COVID in our center, but to be vigilant outside of our center and share these practices with their friends and loved ones. We still ask you to do your part while in your community and PLEASE wear your mask, wash your hands, and watch your distance. And please promote these very simple precautions with your extended family and friends.
As always, thank you for your patience and please stay safe and healthy!
Respectfully,
Jason H. Gold, LNHA, Administrator
South Shore Rehab and Skilled Care Center