What has Empress Care Center done to protect residents and staff from COVID-19? 

Posted on by empresscarecomadmin
0

The team at Empress Care Center has been coordinating closely with county, state, and federal agencies while implementing new infection control protocols as they are updated by CDC.

Below are several of the infection control measures we have implemented to prevent the spread of infections:

  • The Residents that were identified as positive will be moved to our COVID-19 Positive area, our “Red” Zone.  This is a separate unit in the facility that has no contact with the other staff or residents.
  • Any residents that are newly admitted, or exhibiting signs and symptoms of COVID-19 like infection are moved to our Observation Unit, “Yellow Zone”.  This area is also separate from the rest of the facility.  There is limited contact with the staff from the rest of the facility, and no contact with any other residents.
  • Staff members are screened daily upon entry per guidelines from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The screening includes a questionnaire and a temperature check taken before direct resident contact.
    • Staff members experiencing respiratory symptoms or fever of 99.4 degrees or above and no known COVID-19 exposure are directed to stay home and self-quarantine 10 days for resolution of symptoms and must be afebrile for 72 hours.
    • Staff members experiencing respiratory symptoms or fever of 99.4 degrees or above and have a known COVID-19 exposure are directed to stay home and self-quarantine until a total of 10 days free of symptoms have passed or has been afebrile for 72 hours whichever is longer, or the employee has received a negative result on a COVID-19.
    • Staff members who work at other facilities or business that have COVID-19 positive
    • Staff members who have had close contact with someone in the community that has been COVID-19 positive.
    • Staff members who have traveled out of the country to designated regions or returned from a cruise are required to self-isolate for 14 days prior to returning to work.
  • Staff hand hygiene compliance is monitored daily.
  • Staff use personal protective equipment (PPE) such as N95 masks, surgical masks, gloves, and gowns as prescribed by local, state, and federal guidelines.
  • The facility break room has been closed for all dining.  Staff are permitted to store and prepare their food in the break room but no eating or drinking of beverages is permitted.  Staff must wear their face mask at all time when in the break room.
  • Staff have been trained on the most current information and guidance from CMS, Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH).
  • Facility access has been limited to one entry point.
  • Infection prevention signage is posted at the entrance and throughout the facility.
  • Based on direct guidance from CMS, visitors are currently permitted for indoor and outdoor visits (see notes above).
  • Essential personnel are screened prior to entry requiring completion of a questionnaire and a temperature check. Those exhibiting a temperature and/or respiratory symptoms will be denied entry.
  • Essential personnel are monitored for compliance with our enhanced visitor precautions.
  • Residents are provided up-to-date education on the COVID-19/Coronavirus guidelines and all mandated restrictions imposed by CDC, CDPH, and CMS.
  • Residents are monitored daily for fever and respiratory symptoms.