Update from Administrator – May 6, 2020
Good morning,
As some states begin to ease restrictions on businesses and the general public, please note that our center will NOT be included in any category. The visitor restriction placed on us by the state in early March is still in effect for the foreseeable future; we will advise you when this changes.
We continue to offer our weekly conference call for families and FaceTime calls, Zoom meetings, and window visits for you and your loved ones.
From the beginning of this crisis, we have implemented extensive infection control measures to protect residents. I have listed those in many past emails, our weekly “Town Hall” conference calls, and this information remains on our website. As always, if you would like any details on them, please let me know.
We also continue to do all we can to protect our other residents and remain committed to ensuring the personal protective equipment (PPE) our staff needs and follow CDC and state guidelines regarding the appropriate use of PPE. We continue to follow every lead to secure PPE from existing and new vendors and request equipment from the state. We are satisfied with our supply but are always monitoring it and working to build it up for the long road ahead.
We are in touch daily with the Department of Public Health and our local Health Department. CMS (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services) has visited our center and found us to be complying with PPE, staffing and infection control and prevention issues. We continue to follow all CDC and state guidelines and receive regular updates on new guidelines that are offered.
I remain incredibly grateful for our dedicated team and ask you to join me in ensuring that they are included as “Health Care Heroes” battling COVID-19. They are doing everything they possibly can to care for those suffering and support them as they battle this disease.
We are fortunate that we have not experienced staffing issues due to the commitment our staff has in providing the highest quality of care to their patients, even in the most challenging times. We support our talented staff whose commitment to caring for our residents throughout this health crisis inspires us every day.
We have heard from many of you about how you can recognize our staff – like what is happening all around our state with other “Health Care Heroes.” They would appreciate the recognition as they are a huge part of the health care heroes doing their part in the battle against COVID-19.
After a recent survey by CMS, we have decided to discontinue all outside deliveries including take-out food deliveries, flowers, care packages, snacks, etc. until further notice. This would also include your generous donations of coffee, bagels, pizza, and the like for our staff.
This was a decision that I have labored over for some time now, and do not take lightly, but I believe it is the correct course to follow and … I must do everything in my power to protect our residents and staff.
If you should have any questions regarding this feel free to reach out to either myself or Social Worker Roger at 508-949-1334. Or contact us via email socialwork@lanessaextcare.com
Respectfully,
Thank you
Alan R. Bates
Administrator