I am disappointed to share with you that we have had one new incident of COVID-19 in our community.  This employee was tested using a rapid test and we are awaiting results from the lab test that was also performed.  Unfortunately, the positivity rate in Philadelphia County went above the 5% mark again last week and that requires that we continue weekly testing of staff and health center residents.  We all need to continue to be diligent and maintain wearing our masks, practice hand hygiene and social distancing. 

CMS has provided an update to “Nursing Home Visitation – COVID-19”, and both the PA Department of Health and Department of Human Services have recommended following the visitation guidelines.

We will continue to require appointments for all visits with residents in order to ensure that we are able to provide appropriate infection control through wearing masks, six-foot distancing and cleaning/disinfecting areas where visits will be taking place.

In an attempt to make this process easier for you, we are introducing a new web-based scheduling system, Sign Up Genius, for you to go on-line and look at the available times for visits and sign-up for a visitation appointment.  We anticipate we may have some bumps in the road, initially, and we ask for your patience in using this system.  From the user’s side it is very simple, from the administrative side – maybe not so much!

Following, please find three different sheets, one for each level of care in our community.  On each sheet you will find a simplified version of the 8-page CMS memo.  Please take time to read the version that pertains to you so you will know the parameters that we will follow for visiting.  You will see that the PC and HC version are similar.  On these pages, you will also find the link to use Sign Up Genius to make an appointment to visit.  Access to Sign Up Genius will begin Monday, March 22 at 7:00 a.m. 

HEALTH CENTER VISITS – Effective 04.12.2021

  • All visitors must enter through the main entrance and register through Accushield
  • Required: 
    • Hand hygiene
    • Face covering or mask (nose & mouth)
    • Social distancing at least six feet between persons
  • Outdoor visitation is preferred, even when the resident and visitor are fully vaccinated
  • Indoor visits permitted but not in resident rooms at this time
  • Indoor visits will be limited under the following circumstances:
    • Unvaccinated residents and the Philadelphia County positivity rate is >10% and <70% of residents are fully vaccinated*
    • Resident with confirmed COVID-19 infection, whether vaccinated or unvaccinated, until they have met the criteria to discontinue quarantine
    • Residents in quarantine, whether vaccinated or unvaccinated, until they have met criteria for release from quarantine
  • Indoor visits will be suspended if there is a COVID-19 outbreak and testing reveal additional cases in other areas of the health center
  • Visitors will be limited to two visitors per resident visit
  • Visits will be limited to 45 minutes
  • Visitors may not walk around different areas of the community
  • Visitors must physically distance from other residents and staff
  • IF the resident is fully vaccinated, they may choose to have close contact (including touch) with their visitor, and
    • Wear a well-fitting face mask
    • Perform hand hygiene before and after touch

*Refers to a person who is >2 weeks following receipt of the second dose in a 2-dose series, or >2 weeks following receipt of one dose of a single-dose vaccine

PERSONAL CARE VISITS – Effective 04.12.2021

Access #:  8401

  • All visitors must enter through the main entrance and register through Accushield
  • Required: 
    • Hand hygiene
    • Face covering or mask (nose & mouth)
    • Social distancing at least six feet between persons
  • Outdoor visitation is preferred, even when the resident and visitor are fully vaccinated
  • Indoor visits permitted in the resident’s apartment only
  • No indoor visits will be permitted in common areas
  • Indoor visits will be limited under the following circumstances:
    • Resident with confirmed COVID-19 infection, whether vaccinated or unvaccinated, until they have met the criteria to discontinue quarantine
    • Residents in quarantine, whether vaccinated or unvaccinated, until they have met criteria for release from quarantine
  • Indoor visits will be suspended if there is a COVID-19 outbreak and testing reveal additional cases in other areas of the personal care center
  • Visitors will be limited to two visitors per resident visit
  • Visits will be limited to 45 minutes
  • Visitors may not walk around different areas of the community
  • Visitors must physically distance from other residents and staff
  • IF the resident is fully vaccinated, they may choose to have close contact (including touch) with their visitor, and
    • Wear a well-fitting face mask
    • Perform hand hygiene before and after touch

*Refers to a person who is >2 weeks following receipt of the second dose in a 2-dose series, or >2 weeks following receipt of one dose of a single-dose vaccine

INDEPENDENT LIVING VISITS – Effective 04.12.2021

  • All visitors must make an appointment using Sign-Up Genius at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C48AEA62DA2FFC07-independent Access #:  8401 
  • All visitors must enter through the main entrance and register through Accushield
  • Required: 
    • Hand hygiene
    • Face covering or mask (nose & mouth)
    • Social distancing at least six feet between persons
  • Outdoor visitation is preferred, even when the resident and visitor are fully vaccinated*
  • Indoor visits permitted in the resident’s apartment only
  • No indoor visits will be permitted in common areas
  • Bistro take-out available, no dining in the Bistro with visitors
  • Indoor visits will be limited under the following circumstances:
    • Unvaccinated residents and the Philadelphia County positivity rate is >10% and <70% of residents are fully vaccinated*
    • Resident with confirmed COVID-19 infection, whether vaccinated or unvaccinated until they have met the criteria to discontinue quarantine
    • Residents in quarantine, whether vaccinated or unvaccinated, until they have met criteria for release from quarantine
  • Indoor visits will be suspended if there is a COVID-19 outbreak and testing reveal additional cases in other areas of the health center
  • Visitors will be limited to two visitors per resident visit
  • Visits will be limited to 45 minutes
  • Visitors may not walk around different areas of the community
  • Visitors must physically distance from other residents and staff

*Refers to a person who is >2 weeks following receipt of the second dose in a 2-dose series, or >2 weeks following receipt of one dose of a single-dose vaccine