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Area nursing homes are maintaining PPE as shortages continue

Norwalk Reflector - 8/11/2020

Aug. 11--NORWALK -- Area nursing homes are doing their best to keep residents and staff safe as around the country long-term living facilities are becoming hotspots for outbreaks of the coronavirus.

In Huron County, three facilities have had confirmed cases of COVID-19 -- Orchard Grove assisted living, The Willows at Bellevue's assisted living and nursing home facilities and The Willows at Willard's assisted living and nursing home. Orchard Grove had one staff member test positive and the assisted living at Bellevue also had one staff member test positive.

In the nursing home at the Willows at Bellevue, there has been three resident confirmed cases of COVID-19 and four staff cases. In the Willows at Willard, in the assisted living facility there has been one resident case and at the nursing home four resident cases.

Johns Hopkins University the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) compiled a state-by-state breakdown of the positive COVID-19 test rate and the number of nursing homes in those states. Data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) was compiled to show nursing homes current supply of personal protective equipment (PPE).

In Ohio, the 7-day positive testing rate among the general population is 5.6 percent and the state has 953 nursing homes. The percent of nursing homes in Ohio without a one-week supply of N95 masks is 15 percent and surgical masks is 6 percent. Nursing homes in the state without a one week supply of gowns are 9 percent.

Mark Parkinson, president and CEO of AHCA/NCAL, said governors and state health agencies in states with a positive test rate more than 5 percent need to take immediate action to protect seniors and health care workers. He said long term facilities must have an adequate supply of PPE, staff support and expedited testing results.

"We also need members of the public to do their part to help reduce spread by wearing a mask in public and continuing to practice social distancing. We all have a duty to defend our nation's greatest generation and their essential caregivers," Parkinson said. "The continued shortage of vital PPE supplies for nursing homes across the U.S. is a major concern especially for states with recent spikes in new COVID cases."

Fisher-Titus has two nursing homes in Norwalk -- the Carriage House and Norwalk Memorial Home -- and protecting residents is a top priority.

Alexandria Cruey, director of marketing and communications, said they began preparing to prevent the virus in January and February. At both facilities, they implemented screening every person that enters the facility for COVID symptoms, enforcing facial mask policies and restricting visitors.

"The biggest change for our residents have been the implementation of visitor restrictions. While they are used to having visitors in person, we have now moved to visits with family virtually," she said. "Families have the option of setting up a virtual visit via FaceTime or other visual point-to-point platforms with their loved ones so they can still visit. We are providing window visits where family can schedule a time to sit outside the window and we bring the resident to them for visitation."

At Norwalk Memorial Home activities are still provided but they no longer meet in one common area.

"Residents are in their rooms or at the doorways for activities just as bingo and for dining," Cruey said. "Our staff has been creative in coming up with ways to allow residents to still participate in activities while keeping their health and safety in mind."

She said the facilities have obtained and maintained sufficient supplies of PPE for staff and environmental and clinical services are working together to ensure clean, safe facilities.

At the Laurels of New London, the staff has worked hard to minimize the risk of transmission by following guidelines and directives from health organizations.

"While the virus can seem to be quite random in its outbreaks, it spread through community-based transmission," said Ryan Zimmerman, corporate communications manager for the Laurel Health Care Company. "All associates, essential health care vendors and emergent visitors are screened and documented for symptoms upon entry and exit from the facility. Our staff monitors residents daily for changes in condition, including the presence of elevated temperatures and respiratory illness."

He said any residents showing signs consistent with COVID-19 are monitored each shift or more frequently as needed. The corporate office has distributed nearly 50 updates which contain updated directives from The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on cleaning methods.

Communal dining and non-essential group outings have been limited or suspended but the staff has done their best to ensure residents maintain the highest possible physical and mental acuity through this time.

"Activities and rehab services have been adapted to be held room-to-room, with each resident receiving one-on-one care from associates. We have regularly provided Zoom, Facebook Messenger and Google Hangout sessions and hosted window visits to keep residents connected to their loved ones while physically apart," Zimmerman said. "Our greatest generation has learned how to use technology in entirely new ways, including hand-held games and hand-held virtual visits and communications."

He said early in the pandemic, PPE was in drastic shortages and skill nursing facilities were not made an initial priority. Through the efforts of the company's owner, Mohammad Qazi, they have obtained and secured enough PPE to meet their needs.

"Of course it never feels like enough, but we believe we have what we need today," Zimmerman said. "Our corporate office has also made associate mental health a priority during this unprecedented time by providing a number of wellness resources for facility staff."

Although The Laurels of New London has not had any cases of COVID-19, Zimmerman said it will remain vigilant because of the unpredictability of the virus.

"We regularly apprise residents, families and associates to changes in facility status and policy as needed and as deemed appropriate," he said. "We have been humbled by the overwhelming kindness and well-wishes we've received from friends, allies and advocates within our local community and we truly appreciate everyone's continued support, cooperation and understanding."

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