Community Update April 15 2020

A LETTER FROM JESSICA HALL | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

April 15, 2020

I want to personally thank everyone for the love, support and prayers that we have received over the past month.  This pandemic has definitely posed a challenge to the healthcare industry but I truly think the SEM Haven team is rising to the challenge.

Just a few updates that I wanted to share.  All staff members are required to wear a mask at all times when in the building.  We are doing this as a preventative measure in addition to the screenings that we complete upon arriving to work each day.  Thank you to all who have sewn masks or reached out to others in the community to get us what we needed with quick turnaround.  We have been able to provide staff members with two fabric masks each.

Our activities leaders are doing a phenomenal job, along with Chaplain Bill, to make sure our residents remain engaged.  Their creativity and ability to think outside the box is truly appreciated by all. Our virtual visit guides are working hard to keep our residents connected with their family members and friends.  While it took us a while to create a new normal, everyone seems to be adjusting and pulling through.

We are holding strong on our commitment of not accepting any COVID-19 positive patients into SEM Haven.  We are still accepting admissions, but we are completing a thorough screening process prior to admission and also placing all new admissions in isolation for 14 days to prevent potential spread of illness.  We continue to monitor all residents by completing a screening tool and vital signs twice a day to look for any change in condition. We will also be conducting COVID-19 drills allowing our staff members to walk through the process of what to do in the event a resident becomes symptomatic or we have a positive test.  We have set up isolation rooms on a portion of the Rehab Household, which we are calling our NEST, and have been educating staff on protocols and procedures. The team is doing our best to be as proactive as possible to keep your loved ones safe and healthy.  

The governor issued a new order this week for nursing homes to notify all families and caregivers of any confirmed positive case in the facility, whether it is a resident or staff member, within 24 hours of identification.  At this point in time, we have no positive tests. Please trust that you have my continued promise of transparency and prompt communication.

We hope that everyone weathered the storms that moved through last week.  SEM Haven experienced some minor damage relative to the wind with some fallen trees and a broken exterior door, but all staff and residents came through safe and sound.  

Thank you for continuing to do your part in preventing the spread.  We truly are all in this together and everyone’s role is very important.  Whether you are serving in the healthcare field or retail, staying home, or helping those in need; everyone is helping to flatten the curve and keep Ohio safe.  Thank you again for your support and prayers, it is very much appreciated.

Sincerely,

Jessica Hall, Executive Director