Our Response to COVID-19

Our top priority has and always will be the safety and wellbeing of our residents and employees. We are doing everything we can to limit the spread of COVID-19 by maintaining close communication with local and state health officials to ensure we are taking all the appropriate steps under the current circumstances. 

Our goal is to be a leader in skilled nursing and deliver quality care in a safe environment. Our top goal is to restore the confidence of employees, residents, family members, and the community we serve. We know that fear can be a barrier to residents and families seeking the care they need. We can’t guarantee that we won’t have infections in our facility, as this is a global problem affecting all communities, but we are taking steps that will increase the safety of our residents, employees, and families. We are pursuing activities that will reduce the frequency, severity, and impact of infectious diseases. 

We continue to communicate with our local health department, follow all recommendations and regulations by CDC, CMS, and CDPH and ensure we are practicing the highest standards of infection control. We believe these protocols will be effective and will continue to strive to make our facility as safe as possible.

FAQ’s

What ongoing clinical practices are in place to prevent infection?

• All employees and residents are assessed every shift for symptoms. Employees are not allowed to work when sick or showing any symptoms of COVID19 or other illnesses.

• Hand hygiene observations are being conducted to prevent any transmission.

• Staff members are required to use personal protective equipment throughout their shift, practice social distancing when appropriate, and practice hand hygiene regularly.

• Additional sanitizing stations have been installed for our guests, residents, and employees.

• In both public spaces and patient rooms, surfaces are thoroughly treated with hospital-grade disinfectants and are sanitized multiple times per day.

• Residents that are symptomatic, exposed to COVID19, or are suspected are immediately tested for COVID19.

• Our full-time Infection Preventionist, Administrator, and/or other Administrative Staff are in continuous communication with Orange County Public Health to ensure we are following the most current protocols. They also participate in multiple weekly Infection Prevention calls with CDPH and CAHF, our advocating agency for skilled nursing facilities.

• Children must be accompanied and supervised by an adult at all times while on the facility premises. For their safety, and the safety of others, children should not wander away from the visitation area. In addition, children must abide by all current COVID prevention guidelines. Please call reception for the most updated visitation guidance.

Do staff members have the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE)—e.g., masks, gowns, gloves—that they need?

Our team has worked hard to acquire appropriate PPE and implemented PPE optimization strategies based on CDC Guidelines. All employees have been trained on how to properly use PPE. Residents and family members are also supplied with the proper PPE for visitation and other purposes.

What is the plan to communicate important information to both residents, families, and staff on a regular basis?

If an employee or resident has tested positive, all families are emailed, if we do not have an email on file, we mail a letter. If your loved one has tested positive or has a change of condition, a nurse will call you and inform the resident’s primary contact. All employees are notified via email and through in-person meetings and word of mouth of positive cases or any changes of condition. Residents are hand-delivered a letter and are able to ask any questions they may have of a positive case or COVID status update.

Is the facility fully staffed?

The facilities have and will continue to staff according to the guidelines and criteria provided by the state. We are often well above the requirements of the state and staff the facility to the resident’s needs and individualized plan of care.

Helpful Websites for updated COVID-19 Information:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/infection-control-recommendations.html

California Department of Public Health: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/