Dear Guerin Woods Families & Friends:
The delta variant now makes up more than 26% of new COVID-19 cases in the U.S., up from 3% just last month. This variant is both more transmissible and more virulent, but the CDC believes those who are fully vaccinated are well-protected. However, those who are unvaccinated (or partially vaccinated) are at significantly greater risk: "there is a good chance you're actually going to catch this variant. There's no question that in those circumstances you want to be wearing a mask." (Dr. Vivek Cherian, the University of Maryland Medical System)
If you are not yet fully vaccinated, please protect yourself, your loved ones, and those around you by continuing to observe basic infection control measures: social distancing, wearing a mask, and keeping your hands clean.
I. VISITATION
- Notification Requirement – NONE. You no longer need to schedule visits.
*Previously, with scheduled visits, our therapists and CNAs were able to schedule around visitation. Because this will no long be possible, please be prepared to be flexible. Your visit may be interrupted or need to be postponed for a short period of time if therapy or some other intervention is underway or scheduled during your visit.
- Acknowledgement of Visitation Requirements & Health Survey – Prior to interacting with an Elder, all visitors must complete an Acknowledgment of Visitation Requirements & Health Survey form (Health Survey), which includes a temperature check. WE CANNOT ALLOW VISITATION IF A VISITOR'S SURVEY RESPONSES OR A VISITOR'S SYMPTOMS OR BODY TEMPERATURE INDICATE A RISK OF EXPOSURE.
- Infection Control
- Hand hygiene – Visitors must adhere to hand hygiene requirements upon entry and during their visit, with the use of alcohol-based hand rub being preferred.
- Surgical Mask (covering BOTH mouth and nose) – Visitors must wear a facemask.
- Social Distancing – Visitors must maintain social distancing of at least six (6) feet as much as possible.
- Hours – Daily, 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.
- Location – Indoor visitation is restricted to Elders' rooms. Families and friends may also use the Villas' garden areas. If a visitor wishes to speak with a staff member, they should simply use their Elder's call button and not wander through the common area.
- Number of Visitors – If appropriate social distancing is maintained, Elders may have up to 4 visitors at a time.
- Age Restrictions – Because all visitors must be able to comply with infection prevention protocols, Guerin Woods strongly discourages any visitor under the age of 12.
- Testing – Visitor testing for COVID-19 is not required, but Guerin Woods strongly advises unvaccinated visitors to be tested to minimize the risk to Elders and their caregivers.
*Please note that end-of-life and compassionate care visitation follow different protocols. Family members should contact Chelsea Wild, Social Services Director (812-951-9088; cwild@pssmsi.org), Jennifer Oney-Holeman, Director of Nursing (502-396-0158; joneyholeman@pssmsi.org), or Lisa Baker, Administrator (812-399-9046; lbaker@pssmsi.org) to make appropriate arrangements.
II. Guerin Woods COVID-19 Statistics
Total # of Elder Cases | New Elder Cases in Last 24 Hrs | Elder Deaths in Last 24 Hrs | Instances of 3 or More Elders/Staff w/ New Onset of Respiratory Symptoms w/in 72 hours of Each Other |
15* | 0 | 0 | 0 |
*COVID-19 positive test dates: 8/5/20 (1); 10/14/20 (1); 10/21/20 (1); 10/23/20 (2); 10/29/20 (1); 11/16/20 (1; new admission from another facility); 11/19/20 (1); 12/11/20 (3); 12/15/20 (2); 12/18/20 (1); 12/20/20 (1).
III. Examples of Facility Infection Mitigation/Prevention/Planning Measures
Visitation restrictions |
Staff Competency Reinforcement/Training: Infection Control; COVID-19; Proper PPE Use; Handwashing; Social Distancing, etc. |
Daily staff reminders to self-monitor for fever and symptoms of COVID-19 and to stay home if unwell |
Staff use of masks in Villas |
Increased cleaning frequency & use of COVID-19/EPA approved sanitizing solutions for equipment, frequently touched surfaces and common areas |
Placement of alcohol-based hand sanitizer throughout the Villas and in elders' rooms |
Placement of tissues and trash cans in elder's rooms and in common areas for respiratory hygiene, cough etiquette, and source control |
Elder social distancing and use of masks (for those able) when in common areas |
Transition to telephonic/video meetings whenever possible, e.g., Care Plan Meetings |
Use of telehealth when appropriate |
Creation and use of signage to remind elders and staff re PPE usage, cough etiquette, social distancing, handwashing |
Creation of signage in anticipation of positive COVID-19 cases re proper use of PPE, precautions, etc. |
Adoption of pharmacy policies & practices that ensure availability of all necessary medications |
Pre-shift health assessment/screening of every staff member |
Assessment of elders for CDC-defined COVID-19 symptoms |
Acquisition of additional/excess supplies, e.g., ABHS, soap, paper towels, sanitizing solutions, PPE, oxygen concentrators |
Acquisition of COVID-19 testing equipment/kits and testing of staff, vendors, third-party providers, elders, and others upon request |
Conversion of separate on-site facility to staff sleeping quarters |
Conversion of separate on-site facility to accommodate COVID-19 supplies, including preparation of individual kits for ease of use |
Staging of COVID-19 materials in anticipation of providing immediate response |
Meetings among executive and senior clinical staff re: state and federal COVID-19 guidelines (and changes thereto), associated changes to policies/procedures, education/training, facility changes, etc. |
Extensive contingency planning, including adoption of new policies & procedures (and frequent amendment of same as guidelines from federal and state public health authorities change) |
Coordination with local and state public health and emergency response authorities |
Exclusion of COVID-19 positive and COVID-19 exposed employees in compliance with CDC guidelines |
Isolation of elders who may have had an exposure per IDH and CDC guidelines |
IV. Guerin Woods Contacts
Contact (Title) | Lisa Baker (Administrator) | Susan Gernert (President & CEO) |
Cell Phone | 812-399-9046 | 502-830-4336 |
Email |
V. Elder Testing & Transfers: Guerin Woods is following the guidance and directives of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH), and Floyd County Health Department regarding Elder testing. If an Elder were to test positive for COVID-19, the Elder would be transferred to a hospital or other appropriate facility.
VI. General Information: For more information about COVID-19, please refer to: https://www.coronavirus.in.gov/2400.htm; https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html. You can also address general questions about COVID-19 to the ISDH COVID-19 Call Center, available 24/7, at 877-826-0011.
VII. Indiana Long-Term Care Ombudsman: The Ombudsman is NOT a representative of the facility, ISDH, or any other organization. However, we do want to provide accurate information to ensure families are comfortable that their loved ones are as safe as possible and are able to make informed decisions.
Physical Address | Office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman 402 West Washington Street, Room W451 Post Office Box 7083, MS 27 Indianapolis, Indiana 46207-7083 |
Phone Number | 800-622-4484 or 317-232-7134 |
Fax Number | 317-972-3285 |
Email | |
Website |
Susan
Susan Gernert
President & CEO
Providence Self Sufficiency Ministries, Inc.
Guerin, Inc.
The Meadows of Guerin, Inc.
502-830-4336 (cell)
8037 Unruh Drive
Georgetown, Indiana 47122
guerininc.org
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