Update from Administrator – August 21, 2021
August 21, 2021
Dear Families,
With Hurricane Henri nearly upon our region, we are hopefully that you are safe and prepared for whatever comes our way. Our facility’s team maintains a disaster manual for such hazards both internal and external, plans are in place and implemented as necessary. We run generator tests on a routine basis and keep an emergency stock of food for such emergencies. Rest assure we will monitor and stay up to date on the weather as it is shared to us with MEMA and utilize support services with MassMAP.
Looking at more COVID surge cases here in the Commonwealth and beyond, we continue to plan and proceed with guidelines set forth by Massachusetts’ Department of Public Health. We have been fortunate to keep our COVID outbreak to zero new cases since we first reported a positive result a week ago. Following the testing guidance from CMS we continue to test negative on ALL RESIDENTS and ALL STAFF, we will continue this testing for another 7 days. After speaking with our Epidemiologist, they require us to keep suspending “in-room” visitations on Unit 1 & 3, until our 14 days are over with no new cases. Thank you for your patience and apologize for any inconveniences this may cause. As always, please reach out to our leadership with any questions – and we will continue to send more updates as often as necessary to keep you up to date.
Vaccinations – Residents
Most importantly – we can’t stress enough the importance of getting vaccinated. While a significant majority of our residents are vaccinated, if your loved one is not yet vaccinated, please contact Sandra Gilligan-Germain at 508.949.0644 to schedule a vaccination. We are working with our pharmacy provider now to conduct additional in-house clinics in the coming weeks, but not later than September 1 (per mandate). We can also assist in offering a vaccine be made available to you, if you should choose. Please don’t hesitate to ask how we can help!
Vaccinations – Employees
We will continue to advocate and encourage any staff who have not received their vaccination to do so ASAP. Again, we are working with our pharmacy provider now to conduct additional in-house clinics in the coming weeks as ALL employees in Massachusetts nursing homes (including non-direct care staff) are required to be fully vaccinated by October 10th. This mandate comes from Governor Baker through an Executive Order. Employees may not otherwise decline the vaccine; only the following exceptions apply:
- Administration is medically contraindicated, which means administration of COVID-19 vaccine is likely to be detrimental to the individual’s health or
- The individual objects to vaccination based on a sincerely held religious belief and the individual is able to perform their essential job functions with a reasonable accommodation that is not an undue burden on the nursing home.
All new employees hired by our center must be fully vaccinated or qualify for an exemption from the requirement as described above prior to being hired by October 10.
Visitation
- Due to our recent outbreak case, we respectfully ask that you call ahead and plan visits with our recreations team, so we can better assist when you arrive. Call 508.949.0644 ext#8001 to make arrangements.
- Visitors must now always wear masks during indoor visitation, regardless of their vaccination status.
- Visitors are still required to complete our COVID-19 screening process, completing our screening questions for COVID-19 and confirm no exposure to others with COVID-19 infection during the prior 14 days prior to a visit.
- Social distancing is still in effect for our visitors – please socially distance from our staff and others not-related to you, especially in common areas and during activities.
- Should a resident or staff member test positive, the unit, floor or care area will suspend visitation on that section until the unit, floor or care area has gone 14 days without a new COVID positive case. This guideline has not changed. Yet another reason for everyone to get vaccinated.
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- Compassionate Care visit will NOT be suspended.
COVID Testing / Precautions
- All staff, regardless of vaccination status must participate in weekly surveillance testing.
- Staff may be excluded from surveillance testing participation if they are within three months of being recovered from COVID-19
- Newly admitted residents who are not fully vaccinated must quarantine in a private room, or, if not available, in a room with another resident who has recovered within the previous 3 months
- All staff who are not fully vaccinated before they begin to work each shift must receive a rapid COVID test
- Staff must wear eye protection when providing care for residents
While we are very disheartened by the community COVID numbers and this latest guidance, we remain hopeful that our center will continue to be safe place for you and your loved one.
Kind Regards,
Corey Beaudette, LNHA