Date 07/31/2020

Pennington Health Services has been proactively testing all residents and staff of Thief River Care Center weekly since July 11^th. All those who tested negative on the last round of testing were tested again on July 27^th. The results from this round of testing are shown below. One additional resident has tested positive for COVID-19.

Results as of date 07/31/2020

As previously stated, we will continue weekly testing until we have gone two consecutive weeks with no additional cases. Our next round of testing is scheduled for August 4^th.  We continue to follow all recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH). Our staff our equipped with full Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) including face masks, eye protection, gowns, and gloves while in our care center.

Due to the current COVID-19 situation in Thief River Care Center, we are providing scheduled, closed window visits with residents. We also encourage virtual visits. Staff are able to assist in these visits using the new technology equipment that was recently purchased. Call activities at 218-683-8106 to schedule your visit.

Updated information on our planning and preparedness for Coronavirus and our activities within our care center can be found by visiting our website (www.sfhs.org) or our Facebook page. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us with any questions or concerns.

Date 07/24/2020

Pennington Health Services has been proactively testing all residents and staff of Thief River Care Center a resident had tested positive. All those who tested negative on the last round of testing were tested again on 07/20/2020. The results from the second round of testing are shown below. We currently have 0 residents in our segregated unit and 2 staff members self-quarantined at home. 

You continue to be a key partner in keeping our residents and staff safe. The threat for COVID-19 is still very real and we have seen the devastating impact this virus has on us. We stand with Governor Walz and ask you to continue to partner with us in wearing a face mask when unable to social distance. This face mask is a simple and effective way we can protect our dedicated staff and those who are most at-risk for this virus.

The COVID Pandemic has created new employment opportunities in our care center for people wanting to help our most at-risk population combat this virus. If you or someone you know may be interested in working side by side with us as we truly make a difference in the lives of our residents, call our care center or visit www.jobswithus.org for more information.

We continue to follow all recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH). Residents are being monitored throughout all shifts. All staff continue to be screened prior to entering the building and are required to wear surgical masks and eye protection.

Updated information on our planning and preparedness for Coronavirus and our activities within our care center can be found by visiting our website (www.sfhs.org) or our Facebook page. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us with any questions or concerns.

07/16/2020

 As we have indicated in last week’s update, we had 1 resident test positive for COVID-19 on 07/10/2020.  All our residents and employees have now been tested for COVID-19, and we have received most of those results.  We are pleased to share these results of only 1 additional positive case in a staff member.

The resident who had tested positive for COVID-19 had already been transferred to our segregated unit where they will receive all the cares required to see them through this illness.  The staff member who has tested positive is self-quarantining at home.

As a reminder, staff that work in our segregated unit will not care for residents outside of the unit or interact with any employees that are providing direct care to residents outside of the unit. All staff in the segregated unit are equipped with N95 masks, face shields, gowns, and foot covers. Staff enter and exit the segregated unit from a separate door to prevent exposure to the rest of our care center, residents and employees.

Due to the COVID-19 situation in our care center, we will not be able to allow patio visits or open-widow visits at this time. We are continuing to schedule closed window visits with residents. Please contact our care center to schedule your visit.  We also encourage alternative means of communicating with residents such as phone calls, Facebook, Skype, etc. We have obtained additional equipment to meet the demands of these virtual visits and staff are able to assist residents as needed.

We appreciate all the support, prayers, and offers of help that we’ve received. If you have specific questions or concerns, please contact a department manager at 218-683-8100 or Scot Allen, Interim Administrator, at 218-683-8101.

Although not unexpected, as of the evening of 07/10/2020, we have a resident in our Thief River Care Center who has tested positive for COVID-19.  This event triggers a planned process of isolation to a segregated area to aggressively minimize transmission to others. Our top priority is to keep everyone safe and healthy. We are collaborating with our Medical Director and the Minnesota Department of Health and are following all recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to ensure we are taking all appropriate steps at this time.

The isolated area is segregated from the rest of our community and designated staff remain within the area who do not have physical contact with other non-segregated residents. Any staff who may test positive as a result of working within the segregated area will be quarantined at home and will not be allowed to return to work until they recover from the virus, symptom free (7 days from onset or 3 days post last symptom) and pass the employee screening protocols. Our staff are equipped with specific training and personal protective equipment (PPE) to continue to provide safe, quality care, services and support to the residents of our community.

Thief River Care Center is committed to the health and safety of all the people that live and work in our community. With the confirmed case of CoVid-19 in our care center, on 07/11/2020, we preformed entire site testing. We believe this is the best way to protect our residents, staff and our community and track the path of the virus. Results will be shared as they come in.

Due to the confirmed case, we will suspend all open-window and patio visits until the situation is resolved. As we’ve shared several times, in early March, we initiated proactive infection control practices, screening procedures and visitor restrictions that will help us manage this situation as effectively as possible and protect the safety and health of all who live and work here. We will continue to update you on any news, emerging issues, or additional changes in our operations via Bright Arrow, email, website, and our Facebook page.

We know that this news may concern you or that you may have questions about what we are doing to keep everyone safe and healthy. Please do not hesitate to call me at (218) 683-8100 or email me at ajanusz@trcc.sfhs.org.

Sincerely,

Anthony Janusz

Administrator

The 4^th of July is a very special day on the American calendar. As such, our staff have a variety of fun activities planned for our residents to enjoy. Our residents and staff continue to find unique ways to have fun and rejoice in life under the new normal amidst the Coronavirus pandemic.

Please note, if you plan to do a patio visit, open or closed window visit, or virtual visit this holiday weekend, we ask that you schedule ahead of time. You can schedule your visit by calling our activities department.

As of 07/03/2020, there have been no known cases of Coronavirus in our care center. We continue to follow all recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH).

As we monitor the care centers in MN surrounding us who have experienced caring for residents testing positive for Coronavirus and a loss of staff due to the outbreak, we continue to refine our plan to manage an active case in our care center.  In the event your loved one is diagnosed with CoVid-19, we must transfer them to a segregated and quarantined unit to properly meet their care needs and protect other residents from further outbreak.  There are many issues to consider related to maintaining the segregated unit but the greatest concern is staffing, both within and outside of the segregated unit.  Our hope is that our staffing would remain constant, but care centers that have experienced an active case, see as much as a 20% loss of their nursing staff due to exposure or requested Leaves of Absence.  For that reason, it may be necessary to transfer the resident who tests positive to a nearby location or affiliate care center that has the necessary equipment and staff needed to care for CoVid-19 patients. We welcome the opportunity to discuss this in person with you.  If you have concerns or questions related to this, please contact us.  If you do not speak to someone, please leave a message and you will receive a follow up call.

If you know of an RN or CNA who would be interested in working at {insert care center} either PT or FT, please provide them the following link:  www.jobswithus.org.

Updated information on our planning and preparedness for Coronavirus and our activities within our care center can be found by visiting our website (www.sfhs.org) or our Facebook page. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us with any questions or concerns. 

In the past week, PHS has created opportunities for more meaningful connections for our residents and loved ones through open window visits and outdoor patio visits. Our entire team enjoys seeing our residents and loved ones visiting and look forward to the days when we are once again able to welcome visitors into our care center.  We ask that you schedule your virtual visits, open window visits, and patio visits ahead of time due to high demand and safety of our residents.

At the beginning of the pandemic, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) set strict guidelines for our care centers including prohibiting communal dining. We have now received revised guidelines and reviewing all of the requirements to safely implement communal dining.  Look for more information on this subject in the future.   

As of 06/26/2020, there have been no known cases of Coronavirus in our care center. We continue to follow all recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH). As the state agencies loosen restrictions, please know you are a key partner in preventing the spread of CoVid-19 in our care center. We ask that you understand the requirements and procedures we have put in place, and work with us as partners in caregiving to abide by them.

Your messages of support, prayers, and patience will not be forgotten. If you have and questions, concerns, or ideas for make visiting better, please do not hesitate to reach out to us.  Thank you again for being partners with us in fighting the COVID-19 virus.

Updated information on our planning and preparedness for Coronavirus and our activities within our care center can be found by visiting our website (www.sfhs.org) or our Facebook page.

CoVid-19 Weekly Update

Happy Father’s Day!

In honor of Father’s Day this weekend, we would like to extend our appreciation to all Fathers for all they do and continue to do for us. Father’s Day is a time to honor the men in our lives who have influenced us and protected us when needed. This year, CoVid-19 has had an influence on how we can visit our loved ones on this special day.  However, we are thrilled to announce that the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has distributed guidelines allowing outdoor visits. 

If you wish to participate in an outdoor visit, visitors must agree to:

• Schedule visits with the care center.
• Must not enter the care center and stay in the designated visitation location.
• Sign in and provide contact information.
• Allow staff to screen you for signs and symptoms of CoVid-19 and attest to CoVid-19 status, if known.
• Use alcohol-based hand rub when entering the visitation area.
• Wear a mask or other face covering at all times.
• Allow staff to be present to assist with outdoor transfers of residents, wipe down visitation areas and maintain visual observation.
• Social distance at least 6 feet between all persons at all times.
• Control all children under 12 and assure their compliance with social distancing.
• Control all pets at all times if present.
• Reduce the risk of exposure by not having any physical contact with a resident; no holding hands, hugging, kissing or other physical contact.

Open window visits are also allowed at this time. Residents and visitors must agree to wear a mask at all times, practice social distancing by remaining 6 feet from residents and other visitors and refrain from reaching out to touch your loved one or passing anything through an open window.

As stated you will need to schedule your outdoor visit or open window visit.  We expect high demand and ask that you please contact your care center to schedule your visit ahead of time. 

As of 06/19/2020, there have been no known cases of Coronavirus in our care center. We continue to follow all recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH). Residents are being monitored throughout all shifts. All staff continue to be screened prior to entering the building and are required to wear surgical masks and eye protection. 

Updated information on our planning and preparedness for Coronavirus and our activities within our care center can be found by visiting our website (www.sfhs.org) or our Facebook page. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us with any questions or concerns. 

GOOD NEWS – SALONS ARE OPEN!!

We appreciate the patience our residents and their families have had with us as we adapt and enhance our response to COVID-19. In the past few months, we have learned a great deal about this virus, how easily it spreads, and the tools needed to combat it. As of today, we have no known cases of Coronavirus in our care center.

We are excited to announce the first step towards relaxing restrictions in our care center. This week, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has issued the following guidance regarding resuming salon services inside our care centers:

• The beautician will be screened for fever and symptoms of COVVID-19 prior to entering our building.
• The beautician will wear a surgical face mask and eye protection.
• Residents must wear facemasks throughout their appointment.
• Surfaces will be disinfected between each resident. 
• Only one resident at a time in the salon.
• The resident will complete proper hand hygiene upon entering the salon.
• The beautician will complete proper hand hygiene before and after contact with the resident.
• No COVID-positive residents or residents showing symptoms will be allowed in the salon.
• If the care center is experiencing an outbreak, the care center will suspend salon services until there are no longer residents testing positive or showing symptoms of COVID-19.

These guidelines along with our infection control practices will help ensure the safety of all who live and work here as we resume salon services inside our care centers.

Updated information on our planning and preparedness for Coronavirus and our activities within our care centers can be found by visiting our website (www.sfhs.org) or our Facebook page. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us with any questions or concerns.

We continue to have no known cases of Coronavirus in our care centers. The health and wellness of the people we serve and our staff continue to be our top priority. You may know that our staff provide one-on-one companionship to residents and many creative hallway and door to door activities are conducted to help boost resident spirits, contributing positively to their mental health and well-being.

As the weather improves, we receive many questions regarding outdoor visits. You may have heard restrictions for socializing are beginning to ease in Minnesota and businesses have been allowed to open in outside environments or other restrictions.  However, the state and federal guidelines for us have not yet changed. The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), and the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) continue to advise no care center visits or open window visits at this time.

As of right now, we are continuing scheduled, closed window visits with residents. We also encourage alternative means of communicating with residents such as phone calls, Facebook, Skype, etc. We have obtained additional equipment to meet the demands of these virtual visits and staff are able to assist residents as needed. We are very grateful to families for their understanding as they help us to do everything we can to put the well-being of your loved ones and others who reside with us above all else; even when compliance with the rules keeps you from personal contact. 

Directions and guidance from governmental agencies are changing daily and we are preparing for the day we are able to lift these restrictions with specific visiting guidelines in their place. St. Francis Health Services has formed a committee, made up of care center leadership, charged with developing methods in which we could safely allow person to person visits, identifying the barriers that exist and brainstorming methods in which we could mitigate risk of our residents’ exposure.

Updated information on our planning and preparedness for Coronavirus and our activities within our care centers can be found by visiting our website (www.sfhs.org) or our Facebook page. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us with any questions or concerns.