Sweet Memorial Nursing Home Makes Adjustments

Applying what they know about infection control and adhering to Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines, the Sweet Memorial Nursing Home administration and staff are making the necessary adjustments amid the COVID-19 crisis to protect their vulnerable population.

In providing an update on how the COVID-19 situation has affected the residents of the rest home, Rebecca Shackelford, Administrator at the Sweet Memorial Nursing Home (SMNH), reported that during the week of March 9, staff inventoried what they had on hand for disinfectants, masks, and other personal protective equipment. They stocked up where they were low and increased their usual order of some chemicals and supplies like toilet paper and facial tissues.

By March 13, Shackleford decided to write a letter to resident family members, alerting them to the SMNH’s monitoring procedures and asking those who were having flu-like symptoms or just not feeling well to refrain from visiting the nursing home. But by the next day, as conditions had progressed in other areas of the country, she made the decision to just close the doors to visitors all together. This practice was later reinforced by the governor’s mandate on March 15. SMNH officials also asked volunteers to not report to the nursing home for the time being.

Then, on March 16, the Home began tracking temperatures of all staff when they reported for their shifts. “We also started monitoring the patients that were coming in for their physical therapy (PT) appointments. Due to having that department onsite and more outside exposure than some facilities, we put up a barrier in our entry way that allows physical therapy patients into the PT area, but not into the rest of the building. That barrier keeps the residents from coming towards the front entry as well. We also have a similar barrier in the back of the facility, separating the new addition to allow the construction to carry on in that area. We track the construction worker’s temperatures also. Anyone with a fever of 100.4 or higher is not allowed into the building,” Shackelford explained.

To further protect this vulnerable population, deliveries to the SMNH are being re-routed to the facility’s shop. Vigilant about deferring outside exposure, maintenance employees then make the deliveries to the Home. This method keeps delivery people out of the building since their itinerant positions potentially make them more at risk to exposure and to becoming an agent for infection.

“As a way to keep the dining room occupancy down, we implemented staggered mealtimes for our residents And residents were given the choice to eat their meals in their rooms, or even at the nurse’s station. Limiting the communal dining was a CDC recommendation, so we are doing our best to comply,” Shackelford said.

Additionally, SMNH officials have ceased all outside-the-facility activities for residents, and they are trying to scale-back on inside activities, concentrating on more one-on-one or small group activities. Given the new guideline prohibiting visitors, staff have also amped up their video chat and regular phone conversation options for residents. Shackelford reported that, weather permitting, family members have even come to a loved one’s room windows to talk through that glass barrier. After all, the CDC guidelines speak to social distancing, not social isolation.

At this time, residents are not required to stay in their rooms. In the event that the COVID-19 virus were to reach Blaine County, those policies may change. But until then, Shackelford said that she and the nursing home staff are trying to provide as much of a normal daily routine as they can for their residents.

“We are urging staff to do their due diligence and to be mindful of where they go and who they are around when they are not working, because social distancing is so critical when we are trying to keep the residents safe. At a time like this and in a place like this, it is increasingly important that staff not come to work if they are not feeling well,” Shackelford stated.

Given these safety precautions, the SMNH has had to cancel their annual Easter Egg Hunt and revamp the activities calendar. Other cancellations include a luncheon to honor volunteers, monthly resident birthday parties that involve outside volunteers and guests, and a hairstylist appreciation event previously planned for April.

“Sadly, I’m even looking into the first part of May when Nursing Home Week arrives, and I fear that we may have to scale down that celebration and have more inside, nursing home personnel and residents-only events. Some events we will look at merely postponing, but we will just have to assess the situation as it continues to unfold,” Shackelford concluded.