At Catholic Health Group, we are committed to providing quality care during the COVID-19 Pandemic. As our community begins to reopen based upon the Governor’s recommendations, we, at the facility, are working with Pennsylvania Department of Health to safely reopen. A systematic measured approach of three “Steps” will be utilized to reopen our facility.
“Step 1” Plan for Reopening our Facility:
Testing Plan:
- Our facility has completed baseline COVID-19 testing of residents and staff, which was ordered by the Governor on June 8, 2020;
- At any time under the guidance of our medical staff, we can provide COVID-19 diagnostic testing for all residents who are showing symptoms of COVID-19 within a 24-hour period;
- Our facility has the capacity to administer COVID-19 diagnostic tests to residents and staff if they are asymptomatic or symptomatic. This includes the ability to test all residents and staff if our facility experiences a new COVID-19 outbreak.
Strategic Cohorting Plan:
- In the event that one of our residents is exposed or diagnosed with COVID-19, we utilize a color-code signage system to cohort/isolate residents. Our cohorting system is designed to inform staff of the proper protective equipment to wear. In addition, our color-coded system is in line with the PA Department of Health cohorting/isolation guidance.
Monitoring/Screening of Residents and Individuals Entering the Facility:
- Residents are monitored/screened for symptoms of COVID-19 daily and have their temperatures taken every shift. All individuals entering the facility whether they be essential/nonessential staff, visitors or volunteers complete a COVID-19-related questionnaire and have their temperature taken. All individuals entering the facility are to wear a mask, complete routine hand hygiene and are reminded/educated to social distance.
Personal Protective Equipment:
- Our facility is committed to providing individuals entering the facility and residents with personal protective equipment (PPE). We work with different vendors to source PPEs and stockpile enough PPEs to ensure the safety of anyone entering the facility or residents. In the event of an emergency, we have secured additional PPEs from other long-term-care facilities as needed.
Staffing:
- Our facility is dedicated to providing the care required for our residents. In the event that our facility has a concern securing direct care staffing, we use an all-hands-on-deck approach from all departments to assist residents. In addition, we work with several clinical staffing agencies to supplement our staff requirements. Lastly, if a staffing shortage were to occur, we work with other long-term-care facilities to assist us with filling our staffing requirements.
Communal Dining & Activities:
- Our facility is committed to providing communal dining to residents who meet the criteria set by Pennsylvania Department of Health. At this time, we are limiting our communal dining experience to residents who have NOT been exposed to COVID-19. Our communal dining process will consist of limiting the number of residents who may eat together at a table, and they must practice social distancing as much as possible. Hand hygiene will be required during the dining process. Please see facility communal dining process for additional information.
- Our facility is committed to providing activities during COVID-19 Pandemic. The activities will consist of five or less residents, all of whom will have not been exposed to COVID-19. Social distancing, hand hygiene and universal masking will be required for all residents.
Visitation of Residents/Visitors/Non-Essential Healthcare Workers:
- For “Step 1” of reopening the facility, visitation of residents is limited. The facility will continue restrictions on all visitors, volunteers and non-essential healthcare workers. If a resident is on hospice and/or end of life, limited visitation will be provided for families and hospice personnel.
Resident Outings:
- Resident outings will not be permitted during “Step 1” of the reopening process. In case of an extenuating circumstance, all requests for a resident outing will be reviewed by the Interdisciplinary Team and approved only by the administrator.
Governor’s Reopening Plan:
- Our facility is committed to adhering to the Governor’s reopening plan. If our county is placed in “Red” per the Governor’s recommendations, our facility will return to pre-“Step 1” guidelines as directed by the Pennsylvania Department of Health.
“STEP 2” Plan for Reopening our Facility:
When our facility has completed the outlined areas for “Step 1”, we will then move to “Step 2” of reopening our facility. Under “Step 2” guidelines we have completed or will be expanding are following:
Facility Testing:
- Our facility has now completed baseline COVID-19 testing of residents and staff that was ordered by the Governor on June 8, 2020.
- Our facility has had NO new facility onset of COVID-19 cases for 14 consecutive days since baseline COVID-19 testing.
Communal Dining & Activities:
- Our facility is committed to providing communal dining to residents who meet the criteria set by Pennsylvania Department of Health. At this time, we are limiting our communal dining experience to residents who have NOT been exposed to COVID-19 or have not had a positive test result for COVID-19 in the past 14 days. Our communal dining process will consist of limiting the number of residents who may eat together at a table, and they must practice social distancing as much as possible. Hand hygiene will be required during the dining process. Please see the facility communal dining process for additional information.
- Our facility is committed to providing activities during the COVID-19 Pandemic. The activities will consist of 10 or less residents, all of whom will have NOT been exposed to COVID-19 or have not had a positive test result for COVID-19 in the past 14 days. Social distancing, hand hygiene and universal masking will be required for all residents.
Non-Essential Personal:
- Non-essential personnel, who are deemed necessary to the operations of the facility, will be permitted to enter the facility under “Stage 2”. Non-essential personnel will only assist residents who have not been exposed to COVID-19 or have not had a positive test result for COVID-19 in the past 14 days. Screening, social distancing and additional precautions, including frequent hand hygiene and universal masking, are required.
Visitors:
- Our facility will be permitting resident visitation outside if weather permits in neutral zones. If the weather does not permit outdoor visitation, indoor visitation will be allowed in neutral zones to be determined by the facility administrator. Visitation is limited to residents who have NOT been exposed to COVID-19 or who have not had a positive test result for COVID-19 in the past 14 days. Screening, social distancing and additional precautions, including frequent hand hygiene and universal masking, are required. All visitations must be scheduled 24 hours to 72 hours in advance. No resident visits will be allowed if they were not scheduled. Visitors are not permitted to visit residents in their rooms. Please see the facility visiting reopening process for additional information.
Volunteers:
- Our facility will be permitting a small percentage of volunteers in our facility during this “Stage 2” reopening. Volunteers will be allowed only for the purpose of assisting with visitation protocols and may conduct volunteer duties only with residents who have not been exposed to COVID-19 or who have not had a positive test result for COVID-19 in the past 14 days. Screening, social distancing and additional precautions, including frequent hand hygiene and universal masking, are required.
Resident Outings:
- Resident outings will not be permitted during “Step 2” of this reopening process. In case of an extenuating circumstance, all requests for a resident outing will be reviewed by the Interdisciplinary Team and approved only by the administrator.
“STEP 3” Plan for Reopening our Facility:
When our facility has completed the outlined areas for “Step 2”, we will then proceed to “Step 3” of the reopening process for our facility. Under “Step 3” guidelines, we will be expanding the following if we have no new facility onset of COVID-19 cases for 14 consecutive days:
Communal Dining & Activities:
- Our facility is committed to providing communal dining to residents who meet the criteria set by Pennsylvania Department of Health. At this time, we are limiting our communal dining experience to residents who have NOT been exposed to COVID-19 or who have not had a positive test result for COVID-19 in the past 14 days. Our communal dining process will consist of limiting the number of residents who may eat together at a table, and they must practice social distancing as much as possible. Hand hygiene will also be encouraged during the dining process.
- Our facility is committed to providing activities during the COVID-19 Pandemic. The activities will consist of residents who have not been exposed to COVID-19 or who have not had a positive test result for COVID-19 in the past 14 days. Social distancing, hand hygiene and universal masking will be required for all residents.
Non-Essential Personal:
- Non-essential personnel will be permitted to enter the facility. Non-essential personnel will only assist residents who have NOT been exposed to COVID-19 or who have not had a positive test result for COVID-19 in the past 14 days. Screening, social distancing and additional precautions, including frequent hand hygiene and universal masking, are required.
Visitors:
- Our facility will be permitting resident visitation indoors in neutral zones, which will be determined by the facility administrator. Visitation is limited to residents who have NOT been exposed to COVID-19 or who have not had a positive test result for COVID-19 in the past 14 days. Screening, social distancing and additional precautions, including frequent hand hygiene and universal masking, are required. All visitations must be scheduled 234 hours to 72 hours in advance. No resident visits will be allowed if they were not scheduled. Visitors are not permitted to visit residents in their rooms. Visitations will be permitted in resident rooms only if the resident is unable to be transported to designated areas. Please see the facility visiting reopening process for additional information.
- Visitation will be permitted from an individual residing in our personal care unit (if it applies) for residents who have NOT been exposed to COVID-19 or who have not had a positive test result for COVID-19 in the past 14 days. Screening, social distancing and additional precautions, including frequent hand hygiene and universal masking, are required.
Volunteers:
- Volunteers will be allowed in the facility. Volunteers may conduct volunteer duties only with residents who have NOT been exposed to COVID-19 or who have not had a positive test result for COVID-19 in the past 14 days. Screening, social distancing and additional precautions, including frequent hand hygiene and universal masking, are required.
Resident Outings:
- Resident outings may be permitted for residents who have NOT been exposed to COVID-19 or who have not had a positive test result for COVID-19 in the past 14 days. Our outings will be limited due social distancing. Residents will be required to routinely complete hand hygiene, social distancing and wear a mask.