North Shore Healthcare’s Response to COVID-19

We recognize that our Centers are at high risk for contracting and spreading infectious diseases including COVID-19. Our utmost concern is for the health and well-being of each of our residents and to ensure our staff is healthy and able to continue to care for residents.

Please be assured that we are following the recommendations of both the CDC as well as local and state officials which includes:

– Protecting our residents –

• Separating residents who show respiratory symptoms away from others
• Minimizing activities and trips outside the facility
• Discontinuing activities that involve outside groups coming into our centers
• Conducting activities that allow residents to maintain safe distances from others
• Increasing cleaning in common areas (therapy rehabilitation area, dining area, activity area, lobby area, etc.)
• Restricting visitation of all visitors and non-essential health care personnel, except for certain compassionate care situations, such as an end-of-life situation
  •  If an exception applies to a visit, it is imperative that visitors should not
    come to the center if they:
    • Have signs or symptoms of a respiratory infection, such as fever, cough, shortness of breath, or sore throat
    • In the last 14 days, has had contact with someone with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19, or under investigation for COVID-19, or are ill with respiratory illness.
    • Have engaged in international travel within the last 14 days to countries with sustained community transmission, or has been on a cruise within the last 14 days, or,
    • Resides in a community where community-based spread of COVID-19 is occurring
  • Those visitors that are permitted, must wear a face mask while in the building and restrict their visit to the resident’s room or other location designated by the center. They should also be reminded to frequently perform hand hygiene.
• Restricting touching and social greeting
• Encouraging family and friends to reach out socially (phone call, video conferencing) to residents to help with feelings of loneliness and isolation during this time
• Absolutely no visitors are allowed who have traveled internationally in the last 14 days to high-risk countries

– Protecting our staff –

• Actively screening all employees, essential healthcare providers, residents, and approved visitors for symptoms of acute respiratory illness (fever, cough, difficulty breathing) and screening for temperature
• Instructing sick employees to stay home and call in replacement staff
• Training and ensuring proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Ensuring adequate supplies are available

We believe that clear and ongoing communication with our staff, residents, and visitors is critically important. You have our commitment that we will keep you informed as this issue unfolds. As always, please do not hesitate to reach out should you have any questions or concerns. We appreciate the confidence and trust you have placed in our team.