COVID-19 Update- 4/30/20
I hope this finds you all safe and healthy. First and foremost, thank you again for all the support you have shown the staff at Marlborough Hills Rehabilitation & Health Care Center over the past several weeks. I know this is a very stressful time for everyone. The kind words of appreciation and show of support in many ways has been incredibly uplifting to our staff.
This pandemic has been an incredibly challenging time, and we are working every day to ensure that we provide the safest possible care for our residents. As you know by now, at the start of the coronavirus pandemic, we initiated a series of protections aimed at mitigating the threat of coronavirus at our center. I have listed those in many past emails, our weekly “Town Hall” conference calls, and this information remains on our website. If you’d like any details on them, please let us know via Info@marlboroughhillsrhcc.com
As you know, this virus has impacted nursing homes at a disproportionately high rate. In Massachusetts, patients and staff have tested positive in more than 270 centers. That is more than 70% of all nursing homes. We know that we are under attack and we appreciate the support many of our families have privately relayed to us.
Sadly, we also have had patients test positive for Covid-19. On a positive note, between this Friday and next Tuesday, we have residents who are under medical review to “Graduate” from COVID and be transferred off of our East Wing special care COVID unit. These are success stories that we will be building upon and our webpage will be updated
Recently the Governor spoke about the Commonwealth releasing a second round of funding of up to $130 million for two months for nursing homes that meet specific requirements and accountability measures. I attended a State web meeting last evening at 8:00 pm where the details of this release were discussed in detail. Marlborough Hills is currently working through the attestation process and will sign and submit the necessary documents into the State by the deadline of 11:59 pm tomorrow to be eligible for participation.
We are in daily touch with the Department of Public Health and our local Health Department to obtain additional test kits for our staff and once secured, we will conduct testing of our staff. We continue to schedule consistent staffing on all our units and have successfully recruited, and hired six COVID unit nurses who will work exclusively on our special care unit. We continue to follow all CDC and state guidelines and receive regular updates on new guidelines that are offered. This information is shared with our staff and additional training is continually taking place.
We also continue to do all we can to protect our other residents. We are conducting cleanings and infection control measures multiple times per day, with extra care on high touch areas. We are limiting the number of staff going into resident rooms to only direct care staff. We are deeply committed to providing the personal protective equipment our staff needs and are in compliance with CDC and state guidelines regarding the appropriate use of PPE.
And finally, we are incredibly grateful to our dedicated team; they are doing everything they possibly can to care for the residents on our special unit as they battle this disease. We are fortunate for our staff and their commitment to providing the highest quality of care to our residents, even in the most challenging times. As you may know, we have increased compensation to staff in our center and continue to advertise and recruit for additional per diem staff to supplement our team if/ when needed.
Please continue to use our special email address Info@marlboroughhillsrhcc.com to request virtual visits, or ask questions.
Our commitment is to be as transparent as possible and work to address any issues that arise. This is an incredibly challenging time and we will continue to do all we can to get through this, together.
Thank you,
Ronald Doty
Administrator