Coronavirus-N19 Update #1

Greetings to Chapin Home Resident Representatives:
 
Chapin Home is very aware, and greatly concerned, with the rapid spread of the Coronavirus-N19 across the United States. Additionally, most concerning is New York State's recently declared State of Emergency. We at Chapin Home would like all Residents and Resident family members to know we have been monitoring and will continue to address the rapidly changing information, directives and guidance from all regulatory agencies. These agencies include and are not limited to Center for Disease and Control (CDC), New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH), and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Service (CMS). Additionally, Chapin Home reviews guidance from the following associations; Association for Profession in Infection Control (APIC) and Leading Age.

We would like to take this opportunity to provide some of the practices and procedures that Chapin has and will continue to implement to protect your loved one's wellbeing:

1. Hand washing for Residents, staff and visitors should occur before and after meal, after toileting, before and after care, before and after medication administration, upon entering the building and before and after your visits to the units. Hand sanitizer stations are located in the lobby and on every unit.
2. Increased reminders and signage regarding limiting visitation - if you are ill, save your visit until you're better, (2) two weeks following any travel outside and if you have been around some that is ill outside of the facility.
3. Chapin Home is asking all staff and visitors to stay at home if ill, and if they are at work and/or visiting and suddenly present with any respiratory, GI symptoms and/or fever, that individual will be asked to leave the facility.
4. Face mask are located at the front desk if you choose to use one during your visit with your loved one.
5. Chapin will potentially begin to limit a Resident's number of visitors and additionally consider restricting visits for children under the age of 15.
6. Chapin is currently monitoring staff scheduled vacations and travel plans. Staff that has any kind of travel plans during vacation will be requested to check with the Infection Preventionist and/or Human Resources Director prior to returning to work.
7. Upon return from a travel vacation, all employees they will be required to wear a face mask for 14 days.
8. Any readmission and new admission will be closely monitored for 14 days post entry to the building for signs and/or symptoms of a respiratory infection. When possible and practical these Residents may be placed in a single room setting for this monitoring period.
9. Chapin's Housekeeping Department is frequently disinfecting all high touch surfaces around your loved one's living environment. We suggest prior to using the phones and bathroom keys at Security/Front Desk to ask for a Sani wipe and wipe the surface.
10. Chapin is working closely with our Pharmacy to ensure there is no interruption in medication supply for your loved ones as well as monitoring the sources of production.
11. Finally, Chapin is a close living community, we ask you to limit "out on pass" activity in large group settings (ex. Church services, shopping malls and crowded restaurants). Chapin is looking look at current activity programs with the intent of minimizing any large group events. Residents who still choose to attend "out on pass" group will be monitored closely upon return for 14 days.

Please review the attached Infection Control brochure as you work with Chapin Home to ensure your loved wellbeing.
 
Sincerely,
Jennifer McManaman, MSJ, LNHA
Executive VP & Administrator

​Nodar Janas, MD
Medical Director

Vernita Ford, RN, MSN, RAC-CT, IPBC
Director of Nursing