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

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

Current Week: 0

Cumulative:  17 

Contractors: See below for who is included in Contractors

Current Week:  0

Cumulative:  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: Yes

Testing:

Fullly vaccinated staff do not need to test routinely anymore.  Unvaccinated staff must test twice weekly.  Fully vaccinated means that the individual is at least 2 weeks past their second vaccine for Pfizer or Moderna or at least 2 weeks past their J& J vaccine.  There are additional requirements for testing if our facility has even one positive staff member or resident or if an individual is symptomatic.

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/

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

100% of our long term residents are vaccinated.  Approximately 80% of our staff are vaccinated. 

Our long term care pharmacy is able to vaccinate our new residents and staff and our staff who have changed their minds.  Family members who wish to be vaccinated can contact Colleen Costello at ccostello@avonoaks.net or 440-934-3808 for assistance.

Fully vaccinated residents may visit with fully vaccinated visitors outside or in a room without masks as long as there are no staff or other residents in the room.  (See more under visitation policies)

5/9/21

CMS (The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services) has finally relaxed the guidance for visitation in nursing homes since the vaccine is more readily available.  Also - Governor DeWine has indicated that visitation is open for all facilities.  That is true, but it is not the entire story.  Ohio's restricitons are more conservative than CMS and we are mandated to follow the most stringent guidelines presented.  So for now, we will continue to schedule visits because for Avon Oaks this is the way we can comply with the regulations while still permitting indoor visits.  Anyone visiting must also pass the COVID-19 screening (temperature and questions) and will be offered a COVID-19 test regardless of vaccination status of the visitor.  We have a little more flexibility with the length of the visits and the frequency of visits.  Also, once hands are sanitized and if visitor and resident have a well fitting mask you'll be able to hug your loved one!  Outdoor visits are still recommended as able with the weather.  

Link to CMS (Medicare) revised visitation guidelines for your review.   CMS revised Visitation Regulation We also have to follow Ohio Department of Health rules  https://coronavirus.ohio.gov/static/publicorders/amended-do-permit-access-nursing-homes-wexc-3-19-21.pdf

and the CDC Guidance on Visitation   Due to very few private rooms we will still need to schedule visits. We are still required to monitor who is in our building and adhere to core principles of Infection Control requiring masks, sanitizing of hands, physical distancing etc.  Call 440-934-3985 to reach Activities for Porter, 100, 200 and 400 halls.  Call Social Services to schedule for 300 hall.  Residents on quarantine can not have indoor visits except for compassionate care visits.  

Link to a graphic put out by CMS today.  We are still permitting indoor visitation on a scheduled basis.  Visiting in Nursing Homes March 15 2021

Updated 5/9/21

Current Visits Permitted: Closed Window for quarantined residents (new admissions who are not fully vaccinated), Scheduled Indoor Visits, Scheduled Outdoor Visits, Scheduled Compassionate Care (significant change, compelling reason or end of life) 

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 440-934-3985 to schedule an Indoor Visit, Outside visit or Open Window Visit for 100, 200, 400 or Porter.  Call Social Services at 440-934-5204 to schedule visits for a resident on 300 hall.

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 Inside, Outside and Open Window visitation procedure will include:

5/9/21 -  Visitors who provide us with a copy of vaccination card may have scheduled visits in the resident room or another designated location as long as there are no other residents in the room unmasked and have close contact.  PLEASE email your card to ccostello@avonoaks.net or bring it to the receptionist so we may make a copy.   

1. Scheduled date, time and duration of visits – it is required that all visitors are screened, regardless of vaccination status, so we need to ensure that we have the staff to screen visitors as well as ensuring we have an appropriate space for visitors.  Visits may be 30 minutes or longer.  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. Fully Vaccinated visitors visiting a fully vaccinated resident are permitted to visit unmasked and close distance in a room where nobody else is present.  Fully vaccinted refers to a person who is at least 2 weeks past their 2nd Pfizer or Moderna vaccine or 2 weeks past J&J.  Masks still required walking to and from resident room or visiting area.
4. Unvaccinated visitor:  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. 
5. Unvaccinated visitor:  NO CONTACT – maintain at least 6 feet distance at all times during the visit.
6. No more than 2 visitors at a time and no visitors under the age of 2 for indoor, outside and open window visits.  Children must be able to wear mask, sanitize hands and maintain 6 feet of distance. 
7. Hand sanitizer must be utilized before and after your visit.
8. FACEMASKS: Note-for Indoor Visits visitor must wear a well fitting 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 if the resident or visitors are not fully vaccinated – 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.
9. No eating or drinking during the visit for unvaccinated residents or visitors. 
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.