Dear residents, staff, families and supporters,

I am happy to announce a few changes which just came out this week.

Covid regulation changes based on CDC, CMS, IDPH and Bartels revised policies:

Screening in at Kiosks
      Staff: Employees may stop screening in. If a staff member has any flu, Covid, allergy or virus-like symptoms, they should contact their supervisor, be tested and wear a mask.
      Visitors, Volunteers & Healthcare providers: All visitors will continue to screen in, but the process and questions have been simplified, and the temperature will no longer be needed. Name badges from the kiosks must still be worn. This includes volunteers and healthcare providers.

Masks
     Staff, Volunteers & Healthcare providers: Going into the flu season, all staff and volunteers will continue to wear masks.
     Visitors & Residents: Visitors and residents are not required to wear a mask. If a visitor has symptoms or is sick, they will be educated and highly encouraged to not visit. If a situation deems a visit while sick, a mask should be worn.

Staff testing
Monday and Thursday testing will stop for all employees regardless of their vaccination status. If a staff member has any flu, Covid, allergy or virus-like symptoms, they should contact their supervisor, be tested and wear a mask. Only high-risk exposures will be tested – this is defined as a close exposure with no mask for more than 15 minutes. Testing will be done after 24 hours and at days 1, 3 and 5.

Table dividers
Plastic table dividers will be removed from resident dining rooms.

Resident screening
Daily screening of the long-term care residents will stop. Residents who have exposures or symptoms will be tested. The resident, family and staff will be educated on infection prevention precautions and spread of disease.

Outbreak status
Outbreak status is now defined as one staff or resident. If in a defined area, then testing can be done just in that area.

Flu Shots and Covid Boosters
Everyone is encouraged to get a flu shot and Covid booster, especially as we move into fall and flu season. The independent and assisted living Covid and flu clinic was held Sept. 29 and was very successful with approximately 80 participants.
The next clinic will be Wednesday, Oct. 5, for Woodland Terrace and Evergreen Arbor residents and any individuals who were unable to attend the previous date.
Thursday, Oct. 6, there will be staff compliance training at 6:30 am, 1:00, 2:30 and 4:00 pm in the Chapel. Staff may receive the flu shot any time during this day. If staff are unable to receive the flu shot on this day, they may go to the first floor nurses’ station at any time.
Monday, Oct. 17, there will be a final Covid clinic for staff to receive the booster from 1:30- 3:00 pm. I want to thank Meyer Pharmacy for all of their help with these clinics!

Just like the beginning of the pandemic, there were changes and questions and then more changes. I am anticipating the same over the next month. These changes will be applied across campus. I will continue to keep everyone updated.

Everyone is excited about some positive movement forward! If you have any questions, please feel free to ask a nurse or leader in the organization. As always, Veronica Shea, the administrator, and myself are also available to answer questions.

Everyone at Bartels is feeling gratitude for the regulation changes and the things we take for granted everyday. Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone in Florida or those who have suffered losses.

Paula Geise, RN, MSN, CEO

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