Nursing homes associated with 15% of deaths from coronavirus in New York-News-Leader

New York closed most visits in nursing homes and set strict distance and cleaning protocols

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.

According to state health ministry data, one of every three nursing homes in the state is infected with a coronavirus, and about 15% of New York’s coronavirus deaths were linked to nursing homes in early April. Was. An additional 4% is related to life support facilities.

The New York Times reported that a quarter of those killed in the coronavirus in New York City live in nursing homes.

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 earliest coronavirus hotspots was a life care center, a nursing home in 120 Kirkland homes, where at least 35 people have been killed in connection with the virus in the past month. 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.

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 We are reorganizing spaces such as activities and dining rooms.

At the same time, the state has ordered nursing homes to accept coronavirus patients discharged from medically stable hospitals, claiming that the movement puts 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.

Infection control for ongoing struggles

Richard J. Mollot, director of the Long Care Care Community Coalition, a New York advocacy group, said that in 2019, the United States most often failed to meet minimum standards for infection control and prevention in nursing homes. In nursing homes and other facilities.

Analysis of U.S. federal laboratory data today indicates that 75% of U.S. nursing homes have been cited at a higher rate than previously known because of an inability to properly monitor and control infections in the past three years I am.

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

David Gifford, chief medical officer of the American Health Care Association, told USA TODAY last month.

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 retirement 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 residents and 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.

“It’s important that no one who could carry the virus enters our facility,” read the notice posted on the website of the Westchester County Retirement Home and Rehabilitation and Nursing Center for the Elderly. The facility has recently become an outbreak and as of Thursday, 21 patients on 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 because families often provide essential care and comfort to people in nursing homes and can find neglect and abuse.

“We are asking the CMS to modify this monolithic blockade of the family and allow limited visits (with the same safety protocols required by care staff).”

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 are staying in their rooms and are provided with recorded live entertainment such as music performances and exercise classes via internal TV channels.

In Kirk Haven, Rochester, employees are screened for symptoms, including temperature checks, on 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.

Nurses said they were told not to return to work after refusing to share personal protective equipment at Hornell Garden, a nursing home in Steuben County. Residents there have recently tested positive for the 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, external exposure of nursing home care staff can be a problem, even with proper safety measures in place. Many are poorly paid and have other jobs, perhaps at other facilities or as home care assistants.

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.

Poughkeepsie’s Vassar-Warner Home is home to only 58 residents. Poughkeepsie’s Vassar-Warner Home splits the dining hall into two rooms to ensure maximum social distance, and staff must always fear face masks. ErickaVon Salews, managing director of the house, said.

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

Staff used dilute bleach to clean bathrooms and other communal areas to preserve disinfecting products, which were allegedly lacking for several weeks at Von Salous, while residents were able to use their hands before and after meals and activities. You will be given a disinfectant.

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.

Worried about your loved ones?

– First contact your specific nursing home or elderly residence to raise your concerns.

– New Yorkers who are frustrated or concerned about nursing homes can call the State Health Department 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, read the New York Policy on Nursing Home Protocols for Healthcare Providers in Coronavirus Crisis at www.coronavirus.health.ny.gov/information-healthcare-providers.