Current Facility Reporting

Positive Cases at Avon Oaks Nursing Home and Assisted Living (Including Porter Assisted Living and The Gardens Assisted Living)

Residents:

Current Week: 0

Cumulative:  14

Recovered: 11

Staff:  Includes staff in Avon Oaks Nursing Home and Assisted Living

Current Week: 2

Cumulative:  17 

Recovered: 16 

Contractors: See below for who is included in Contractors

Current Week:  0

Cumulative:  6

Recovered:  6

The Federal Government now requires skilled nursing facilities to test or verify testing from any contractor providing services to the facility or residents on the same testing frequency that the facility is required to test staff.  These include but are not limited to: transportation services, physicians, nurse practitioners, hospice care providers, plumbers, electricians (if they will be having any contact with residents), etc.  If any of these individuals test positive, facilities are required to report them as a facility positive.  Under this guidance, facilities are required to initiate Outbreak Testing (immediate testing of all staff and residents) regardless of potential exposures, use of PPE or contact tracing.

Respiratory Illness:  3 or > residents or staff members with new onset of respiratory illness in last 72 hours: No

Testing:

We are doing "Outbreak Testing" per regulations due to positive staff and residents - Staff and residents tested will be tested every 3-7 days until we go 14 days without a positive staff or resident.  

The staff testing requirement for nursing homes in Ohio changed on December 21st.  Per Ohio Dept of Health, all nursing homes in Ohio are required to test staff twice weekly regardless of the positivity rate or color code of the county.

While Lorain County is a red county according to federal county positivity rate listing Avon Oaks is not permitted to have any indoor visits.  This continues until Lorain County spends at least 14 days back down in yellow.

This is the link to where we are required to check Lorain County Federal positivity rate weekly on Mondays.  About halfway down under COVID 19 Testing click on the link to check county positivity rates.  https://data.cms.gov/stories/s/COVID-19-Nursing-Home-Data/bkwz-xpvg/

According to the State of Ohio, Lorain County is a purple county.  PLEASE limit any unnecessary visits, travel or congregation with others. Here is the link to check Lorain County on the State of Ohio color map.  https://coronavirus.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/covid-19/public-health-advisory-system

Believe me, I know this is confusing, so if you have any concerns or questions please call me.  440-934-3808 is my desk phone.  I do see my messages in my email and will check that daily.  Thank you for your understanding.  Colleen

Vaccination provided at Avon Oaks was the Pfizer Vaccine through Walgreens.  Walgreens pharmacists vaccinated residents and staff.

First dose for residents and staff was December 30.  99% of residents received the vaccine.

Second dose for residents and staff was completed January 20th and also any staff who did not receive the vaccine on December 30th and wanted it received it on 1/20.   86 staff/contractors received their 2nd dose on 1/20.  24 staff received their first dose on 1/20.

Feb 10th Walgreens pharmacists will be back to Avon Oaks to give the 2nd dose to those who got the first dose on January 20th.

At this point it will be around February 3  when the residents and staff who received the vaccine on 12/30 and 1/20 will achieve immunity and we will work with the pharmacy partnership program to continue to vaccinate any new residents or staff as able.

It is uncertain what effect the vaccine will have on family visitation and testing.  When we know more we will communicate that here.  We are hopeful with more people getting vaccinated testing can decrease and visitation can increase.

11/10/20 Current Visits Permitted: Closed Window, Scheduled Compassionate Care (significant change or end of life)

No Indoor, no Outdoor visits until we go 14 days without a positive staff or resident.   Outbreak testing continues.  Also - since Lorain County is RED according to the federal government county positivity listing we are not permitted to have indoor visits until Lorain County spends at least 14 days back in yellow or green.  

Sadly, I do not expect us to be allowed to permit indoor visits any time soon.  Again, Lorain County would have to spend at least 14 days back in at least the yellow category until we would be permitted to have indoor visits.  We are investigating ways we can have sheltered areas outside for families to sit at a closed window visit while being sheltered from the weather.  

If the policies and procedures below are not followed you may not be permitted to visit at the discretion of Administration.

Visit Scheduling Procedure:

Please call Activities Department at Avon Oaks to schedule an Indoor Visit, Outside visit or Open Window Visit.

Our Closed Window visitation procedure: 

Note: this is the only option for residents in isolation/quarantine

You do not need to schedule this type of visit ahead of time, but you will need to call to have the resident taken up to the window.  The window must remain closed. No time limit necessarily but be mindful of meal times and care issues please.  If you need a staff member inside to assist for the visit there will be time limits.  Do not move or remove the screen.  Again, window must remain closed.

Our Outside and Open Window visitation procedure will include:

Click here to download Outside, Open Window Visitation Form. 
A signed Visitation Form must be presented at the time of your visit if you have not already sent one in.

1. Scheduled date, time and duration of visits – it is required that the visits are monitored, so we need to ensure that we have the appropriate staff for monitoring these visits as well as those taking care of all of our residents.  Visits will be limited to no longer than 30 minutes.  Please try to coordinate a visit with one other family member so other residents have the opportunity to visit with their loved ones ie., one resident may not be able to have multiple visits per week.
2. Screening when you arrive that includes your temperature and symptom checks.  Staff will screen you where you will be visiting.  If you or your loved ones have any signs of respiratory illness or fever above 100 degrees, the visit will be postponed until a later time.
3. Visits will take place in designated areas that are clearly marked with 6 feet physical distance or a 6 foot table.  We will notify you where the visit will take place during scheduling. 
4. NO CONTACT – maintain at least 6 feet distance at all times during the visit.
5. No more than 2 visitors at a time and no visitors under the age of 12 for indoor, outside and open window.
6. Hand sanitizer must be utilized before and after your visit.
7. FACEMASKS: Note-for Indoor Visits visitor must wear 3 ply surgical/medical mask. Cloth masks not permitted.  We will supply you with one if you don't have one. Approved facial coverings will be mandated for entire length of visit – both you and your loved one are required to wear this face covering.  Face covering must cover mouth and nose at all times.  Try to find mask with a clear plastic front if that would make it easier. Face shields not approved as a substitute for a facemask at this time per CDC.
8. No eating or drinking during the visit. 
9. If you have something to give the resident the staff member will take it from you and sanitize as able before giving it to the resident.
10. If you need assistance from a staff member during your visit, please call 440-934-5204 to reach our staff (or you can contact the staff member monitoring).
11. If the staff member feels the health of residents may be jeopardized they have the obligation and authority to end the visit at once.

We will continue to update you via our text messaging system and on this page, of any policy changes.  The guidance regarding visits will likely change from time to time and we will make sure you are aware of any changes as soon as possible.  Call Terri Occhionero, Activities Director or Colleen Costello, Administrator, if questions.

What can I do to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 to my loved one and other residents while visiting? 

Please also see CDC http://CDC.gov and Ohio Department of Health https://coronavirus.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/covid-19/home for more information.

The staff of Avon Oaks will be requiring that you wear a face mask or face covering, sanitize your hands prior to entering the visitation area and at the end of your visit, try not to touch your face. Refrain from touching your family member or friend while visiting.  If you or your loved one feel sick prior to visiting, understand the importance of rescheduling your visitation time.  If you travel or are around groups of people or have known exposure ask your county health department or physician for guidance.

COVID-19, or coronavirus disease 2019, is a respiratory disease. Symptoms, which generally appear two to 14 days after exposure, may include fever, cough or shortness of breath/difficulty breathing, loss of sense of smell or taste, body aches.  These symptoms range from mild to severe; however, some people with COVID-19 have no symptoms which is why it so important to wear a mask while visitation is taking place. It’s important to fully respond to all the screening questions you are asked in terms of symptoms or contact with individuals either with active COVID-19 or who have been exposed to COVID-19. 

COVID-19 is believed to spread mainly from person-to-person, between people who are in close contact (within about 6 feet) with one another and through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It also may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or eyes.

Older adults may show very different signs and symptoms, such as lethargy, disorientation and general fatigue.  Older adults, people with chronic health conditions, and people with compromised immune systems are more likely to become more severely ill which is why all recommendations need to be followed during visitation with your loved one.

This time has been difficult for everyone involved. You, as Family members/Friends, have done an amazing job helping our community keep your loved one safe.  We understand and appreciate your role in this as well.  

We look forward to the beginning stage of this reopening for both you and your loved one.  We are here to assist in any way possible during this transition and appreciate your efforts to continue to keep your loved one safe and healthy.

Thank you for being supportive, patient and for following our protocols so we are able to continue to visit safely.

1-800-720-9616 is a toll-free emotional support call service created by the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services and administered in community settings. Behavioral health professionals staff the CareLine 24 hours a day, 7 days/week. They offer confidential support in times of personal or family crisis when individuals may be struggling to cope with challenges in their lives. When callers need additional services, they will receive assistance and connection to local providers.