Update from Bayview Health Care Center – May 6, 2020
This pandemic has been an incredibly challenging time, and we continue to work every day to ensure that we provide the safest possible care for our residents. Our nursing home workers are saving the lives of patients every day, and they are saving the rest of us by serving on the front lines and limiting the reach of this insidious virus. The coronavirus pandemic has hit nursing homes at a disproportionately higher rate than the greater community. In Connecticut, patients and staff have tested positive in more than 65% of the nursing homes in the state. Sadly, we have had patients test positive for COVID-19 in our building. Fortunately, a lot of those patients are in the recovery phase. As a participating Medicare and Medicaid provider, it is our responsibility to care for new patients who need short term rehabilitation after they discharge from the hospital prior to returning home.
From the beginning of this crisis, we have implemented extensive infection control measures to protect residents.
We also continue to do all we can to protect our other residents and remain committed to ensuring the personal protective equipment (PPE) needs for our staff. We are in touch daily with the Department of Public Health and our local Health Department. The state Department of Public Health continues to visit our centers to ensure we are in compliance for PPE, staffing and infection control and prevention issues. We continue to follow all CDC and state guidelines and we receive regular updates on new guidelines that are offered.
All of us are incredibly grateful for our dedicated nursing home team and we ask you to join in ensuring that they are included as “Health Care Heroes” battling COVID-19. They are doing everything they possibly can to care for those suffering and support them as they battle this disease. Many of you have asked how you can recognize our staff – like what is happening all around our state with other “Health Care Heroes.” If you want to organize a parade for our team, show your support on Facebook, deliver a meal, etc., they would appreciate the recognition as they are a huge part of the health care heroes doing their part in the battle against COVID-19.
Thank you and please stay safe and healthy!
~ From all of us at Bayview Health Care