Healthcare workers and government officials are struggling to contain the disease and protect the most vulnerable as the coronavirus hit nursing homes and nursing homes in New York.

Social distance has shut down nearly all unwanted community interactions throughout the state, and officials say efforts have shown signs of slowing the rate of coronavirus infection and death.

However, elderly or sick nursing home residents who live together and require frequent medical care must seek protection from health system and nursing home employees.

State health department data show that one in three retirement homes in the state is infected with the coronavirus, and about 15% of New York’s coronavirus deaths were associated with nursing homes in early April. Was. An additional 4% is related to life support facilities.

A quarter of those who died of the coronavirus in New York City lived in nursing homes. The New York Times reported on Tuesday.

Although the state did not provide details on certain facilities experiencing coronavirus outbreaks or deaths, large numbers have been killed in parts of the Hudson Valley and Rochester areas.

One of Washington’s early coronavirus hotspots Life care center for 120 nursing homes in Kirkland In the past month, there have been at least 35 deaths associated with the virus. About 2.2 million people in the United States live in a long-term care environment,

“Coronavirus in nursing homes can be like a fire on dry grass,” Governor Andrew Cuomo said on Sunday at a media briefing.

“Our people are at high risk”: Rochester Nursing Home Brace for Coronavirus

Coronavirus hit Hornell nursing home: Nurse speaks and one ends

To reduce the likelihood of coronavirus invasion of nursing homes throughout New York, the state needs facilities to stop most visits, and many homes restrict the movement of residents around the facilities and dining Reorganizing group activities and spaces such as rooms.

At the same time, the nation has Ordered nursing home to accept coronavirus patient There are moves claiming to be discharged from medically stable hospitals, putting other populations at risk.

Employees wear protective equipment, such as masks and gloves, when interacting with residents to reduce the risk of spreading disease or capturing coronavirus to vulnerable populations in confined spaces.

Further complicating is the fact that the ability to implement infection control protocols in many nursing homes is not inherently desirable.

Ongoing infection control

Failure to meet the minimum standards for infection control and prevention is a breach of the best-known nursing home in the United States in 2019, said Secretary-General Richard J. Morlot. Long-term care community association, New York Advocacy Group. Focuses on improving care in nursing homes and other facilities.

According to the United States, 75% of retirement homes in the United States have been inadequately monitored and controlled over the past three years. USA TODAY analysis of federal inspection data.

These citations range from paperwork issues to nursing homes not telling state authorities about outbreaks, as unsupervised workers can spread disease to patients.

Coronavirus concerns in nursing homes: 75% are cited for infection control errors

David Gifford, chief medical officer of the American Medical Association, told USA TODAY last month that most of the citations were not related to situations that seriously harmed residents, and often inspectors caught the issue I told you.

In New York, 60% of the state’s 619 nursing homes have been cited in at least one infection control test over the past three years.

• In Rochester and the surrounding area of ​​Monroe County, 77% of the county’s 34 nursing homes have been cited by at least one infection control test in the past three years.
• In Onondaga County, central New York, 86% of 14 nursing homes received infection control citations in three years.
• Of the 43 nursing homes in Westchester County, only 40% were cited in more than one infection control test every three years.

Last week, the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that imminent testing would focus only on issues related to infectious diseases and other serious health and safety threats, including nursing homes and hospitals, and alleged abuse. Did.

Nursing home takes action

Nursing homes in the state are trying to balance calming the population and their families with taking steps to stay ahead of infections if they appear on the premises.

When coronaviruses emerge, they are faced with navigating ways to alert families and other residents without violating the privacy of infected people.

The State Department of Health issued guidance in March to ban visits except when medically necessary.

Read the notice posted that “It is imperative that no one who can carry the virus enters our facility” On the website Westchester County Nursing Home Westchester Rehabilitation Center The facility has recently become an outbreak cluster, As of Thursday, 21 patients in a 240-bed facility were positive in 10 days.

The directive has enabled nursing homes across the United States to set up systems that allow families to see loved ones through video conferencing services such as zooming and Skype.

This is not an ideal situation. Families often provide basic care and comfort to people in nursing homes, and Mollot of the Long Term Care Community Coalition can detect neglect and abuse.

“We are asking the CMS to modify this monolithic blockade of the family so that limited visits (with the same safety protocols required by care staff) are allowed,” he said. .

In Rochester, a senior Jewish life uses UV disinfectors used in many hospitals to help disinfect high-traffic areas and surfaces, said spokesperson Roberta Cappon. You.

Residents staying in the room will be provided with recorded live entertainment, such as music performances and exercise classes, via internal TV channels.

At Kirk Haven in Rochester, employees are screened for symptoms, including temperature checks, upon arrival and every eight hours thereafter. They need to wear masks and, if possible, six feet away from residents.

Residents living on the same floor as the infected person wore masks as needed. They are also screened every eight hours for symptoms and vital signs.

But staff have problems getting the right equipment and using it safely.

The nurse was told not to return to work After refusing to share personal protective equipment at Steuben County Nursing Home Hornell Gardens. One resident recently tested positive for coronavirus.

Nursing home officials did not confirm or deny that the staff were told to share protective equipment, but masks and gowns were distributed to staff at Hornell Gardens, saying, To make sure they are protected. “

According to Moroto, even with proper protection measures, external exposure of nursing home care staff can be a problem. Many are underpaid and do other jobs, perhaps at other facilities or as home care assistants.

More: Nurse speaks after coronavirus hits Hornell nursing home, one dies

In such a situation, they may not be able to afford the disease.

Second, there is a shortage of staff overall. “According to federal government data, 75% of nursing homes do not have enough staff to provide adequate care to residents on good days. Unfortunately, for now, good days are Behind us. ”

The group is advocating to promote the collection of workers and resources to support nursing home staff in New York, as the state government has done in hospitals and other healthcare facilities.

“These measures will improve both the security and quality of life of the immediate population,” he said.

More: Did you lose your health insurance? NY has resumed its health exchange

There are only 58 residents, 15 of whom receive living support. Wasser Warner House At Poughkeepsie, the dining hall is split into two rooms to ensure maximum social distance, and staff must constantly fear face masks, said Ericka Von Salews, executive director of the house.

Housekeeping staff disinfects all pedestrians and wheelchairs twice a day and wipes door knobs, handrails and telephones equally often.

To preserve the disinfecting products that have been missing for several weeks at Von Salous, staff used diluted bleach to clean communal areas such as bathrooms, and residents had to eat before and after meals and activities. You are given a hand sanitizer.

Her staff followed the guidelines, but the residents and family understood, and there were no confirmed cases of COVID-19 at home, von Sales said she had not been so worried. Was.

“This is probably the most stressful and horrible time I’ve ever had in my life and I’m worried about residents,” she said.

More: New York hospital should allow birth mothers, hospitalized children to have visitors

Worried about your loved ones?

• Contact your specific nursing home or elderly home first to raise your concerns.
• New Yorkers who are dissatisfied and concerned about nursing homes can call the State Department of Health at 1-888-201-4563. If you are worried about adult nursing homes, please call 1-866-893-6772. All complaints are reviewed and kept confidential.
• For more information, see www.coronavirus.health.ny.gov/information-healthcare-providers at the New York Policy on Nursing Home Protocols for Healthcare Providers During Coronavirus Crisis.

Sarah Taddeo is a consumer watchdog reporter on the USA Today Network’s New York State team. She investigates stories about your consumer rights, including fraud, careless landlords, security issues, and obscene businesses.

Have story tips or comments? Contact Sarah at STADDEO@Gannett.com or (585) 258-2774. Follow her on Twitter @Sjtaddeo. This coverage is not possible without reader support. Sign up for a digital subscription now.

Chad Arnold is a staff writer for USA TODAY Network New York. He can be reached at CGARNOLD@Gannett.com and can be followed on Twitter: @ChadGArnold

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