Coronavirus Information

From St. Ignatius Nursing & Rehab Center to Residents, Family Members, Staff and Community Partners

May 22, 2020
 
Dear Residents, Family Members, Staff and Community Partners,
 
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has recently instituted a new program that requires nursing homes to provide residents, responsible parties and families with specific information about COVID-19.
 
In complying with this new program, I am providing the following information:
 
As of May 22, 2020, we have:
 
58 confirmed cases of COVID-19 among Residents and 0 Residents who are exhibiting new respiratory symptoms.
 
32 confirmed cases of COVID-19 among Staff and 1 Staff who was exhibiting new respiratory symptoms between May 8th and now but has since recovered.
 
The increase in confirmed cases is due to the receipt of test results that were pending as of the last notification.
 
We continue to follow the guidance and direction of federal, state and local agencies and public health officials to mitigate further spread of the virus.
 
These cumulative numbers will be updated regularly as required.

With gratitude for your support and prayers for your continued safety,

Susan McCrary, NHA, MBA
President and CEO

From St. Ignatius Nursing & Rehab Center to Residents, Family Members, Staff and Community Partners

 
May 8, 2020
  
Dear Residents, Family Members, Staff and Community Partners,
 
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has recently instituted a new program that requires nursing homes to provide residents, responsible parties and families with specific information about COVID-19.
 
In complying with this new program, I am providing the following information:
 
As of May 8, 2020, we have:
 
52 confirmed cases of COVID-19 among Residents and 0 Residents who are exhibiting new respiratory symptoms.
 
29 confirmed cases of COVID-19 among Staff and 0 Staff who are exhibiting new respiratory symptoms.
  
These cumulative numbers will be updated regularly as required.
  
With gratitude for your support and prayers for your continued safety,
 

Susan McCrary, NHA, MBA
President and CEO

From St. Ignatius Nursing & Rehab Center to Residents, Family Members, Staff and Community Partners

May 2, 2020
 
Dear Residents, Family Members, Staff and Community Partners,
 
I am happy to share with you the news that we are beginning to see progress in the fight against the coronavirus at St. Ignatius Nursing & Rehab Center. We are deeply thankful to say that the number of residents testing positive during the past week stood at zero. We grieve the residents whom we have lost, and we will hold their names in our hearts forever. And we know that our vigilance and dedicated work must continue.
 
St. Ignatius has not been alone in its efforts to “bend the curve” for the older adults whom we serve and to protect our wonderful staff.  We have followed closely guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and of our Penn Medicine medical staff.  Once nursing care facilities became a priority, state and local agencies as well as our generous donors were able to send us a good supply of personal protective equipment (PPE). That is when our staff’s intensive training on infection prevention and control was able to be enhanced. More recently, the Philadelphia Department of Public Health provided us with a good number of coronavirus tests, enabling us to test our resident population.  Both sufficient PPE and increased availability of testing are key in assisting us in identifying COVID positive residents and enhancing our infection control practices.
 
During the pandemic, the PA Department of Health has continued its surveillance of nursing care facilities.  Because of the potential to spread coronavirus if visiting onsite, state health inspectors have conducted a “virtual” health inspection of a facility’s diligence in its infection prevention and control practices.  The inspection team conducted two such evaluations of St. Ignatius during the past month, reviewing policies and interviewing leadership and clinical staff to verify their knowledge and proficiency in providing safe, effective care as it pertains to the COVID-19 virus. Both times, the inspection teams have praised us for our policies and procedures, and for doing all that it is possible to do under these challenging circumstances.  Also, during the past week, professionals from the Philadelphia Department of Public Health and Penn Medicine were onsite at St. Ignatius, offering insights on best practices and praising our staff’s caring, competence and passion for their work.  We encourage your support for broad availability of tests, so that we can more readily identify those infected and can act to protect others, especially the most vulnerable.
 
This pandemic is a terrible and unforeseen event in the history of our country and our world. As a ministry of the Roman Catholic Church and the Felician Sisters of North America, we commit to be the healing presence of Jesus Christ in the lives of the residents we serve and our staff and medical team. We recognize our own mortality, and we strive with every fiber of our being to welcome and care for each older adult, as we would a member of our own family. That means, above all, to keep each one safe and knowing that she or he is loved. We stand in solidarity with all of those who are suffering and remain firm in our mission, determined to provide the best possible care to our residents and their families.
 
We thank each family for allowing us to care for your loved ones.  We are deeply grateful for your prayers and support, for all of you who have donated meals and other items for our dedicated staff and residents. We cannot say enough about the dedication of our employees, who go above and beyond on a daily basis.
 
I will be in contact with future updates, and please know that you are welcome to contact me if you have any questions or if we can be of assistance to you.
 
With gratitude for your support and prayers for your continued safety,
 

Susan McCrary, NHA, MBA
President and CEO

From St. Ignatius Nursing & Rehab Center to Residents, Family Members, Staff and Community Partners

April 28, 2020

Dear Residents, Family Members, Staff, and Community Partners
 
I am writing to address any concerns that may have been raised by a recent claim made on social media.
 
At St. Ignatius, we have been diligent in meeting our needs for personal protective equipment (PPE) to protect both Residents and staff as we provide high-quality care to all of our residents.

We have PPE available for each staff member on each shift as they enter the facility.  Gowns, masks, hair coverings, and shoe coverings are provided.  Gloves are available on each floor for distribution.  If and when gowns become unavailable, we will utilize plastic ponchos as a protective barrier between front-line workers and Residents. These materials, along with stringent cleaning protocols, have been determined to be sufficient to provide a safe working environment.
 
We are observing room quarantine of all Residents who have been diagnosed with COVID-19.  As I mentioned in my letter dated April 27th, our large-scale testing program, implemented among our residents, guides us in maintaining a safe working and living environment for all.  We are working with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Philadelphia and Pennsylvania Departments of Health to contain the virus and prevent further spread.
 
Please feel free to contact me if you have any concerns regarding the above information.
 
Thank you for your continuing support.
Susan McCrary, NHA, MBA
President and CEO

From St. Ignatius Nursing & Rehab Center to Residents, Family Members and Community Partners

April 27, 2020
 
Dear Residents, Family Members and Community Partners,
 
I am writing to update you about the situation at St. Ignatius Nursing & Rehab Center. Along with the rest of the world, we have been through a challenging and difficult time. I can assure you that the health and welfare of our Residents and staff have been uppermost in our thoughts and in our actions throughout this time.
 
We remember in our prayers the Residents of our St. Ignatius family who have died, largely with respiratory and other conditions exacerbated by the coronavirus. In compliance with HIPAA (The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act), we cannot disclose the names of the deceased, but they will be inscribed in our hearts forever and are remembered with a heart on our Family of Hearts Tree in our lobby. We will formally honor and remember them at a memorial service when we are able to gather again.
 
We have instituted a large-scale testing program for Residents and are strictly following the protocols established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and working with the Philadelphia and Pennsylvania Departments of Health to contain the virus, determine when it is safe for staff to return to work, and prevent further spread.
 
We have sufficient staff and personal protective equipment (PPE) to provide high-quality care to all of our Residents, and greatly appreciate the donations of both PPE and meals for our staff, which help to support us and keep us healthy and safe.
 
Due to the room quarantine established to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, we are working to keep our Residents and their families connected as much as possible. We greatly appreciate the donation of several iPads and an iPhone that are assisting us in keeping families in communication. Should you need assistance in setting up these calls, please contact me at smccrary@stinrc.org or our Activities Aide, Fran Renner, at 215-349-8800, x225 or frenner@stinrc.org.
 
I will be in contact with future updates, and please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or if we can be of assistance to you.
 
With gratitude for your support and prayers for your continued safety,
 
Susan McCrary, NHA, MBA, President and CEO

URGENT MEMORANDUM

DATE: March 30, 2020

TO:   All St. Ignatius Nursing & Rehab Center Residents, Staff, Families and Community Partners

 FROM: Susan McCrary, President and CEO

RE: Positive Case of COVID-19

Dear St. Ignatius Family,  

Today, a case of COVID-19, the illness resulting from the novel coronavirus, has been diagnosed in a St. Ignatius resident, who is now hospitalized. Last week, we were notified that one of our employees also tested positive and is now recovering at home. We ask you to join us in praying for the health of both of them, for all our Residents and staff, and for all of those affected by the virus.  

We have notified public health officials as required and are following procedures recommended by the City of Philadelphia’s Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention. We are taking every precaution recommended by these authorities to contain the spread. We want to make Residents, their families and our dedicated staff aware of this situation and reassure everyone that we are continuing to take decisive steps to protect the health of all members of the community.

Nationally, developments are changing minute by minute, but our focus is and will remain on the health and well-being of the St. Ignatius community. We must also recognize our team for the concern and commitment they have shown to our Residents during this challenging time.

As a reminder, we ask our Residents and staff to support our community by following the procedures and precautions below to continue to keep us all safe and healthy:

1. Sick employees should stay home. At this time, we request that you stay home if you have any symptoms of respiratory illness. Those symptoms include: cough, fever, sore throat, runny nose, and/or shortness of breath.  When calling out sick, please be prepared to describe your symptoms to your supervisor.  On your return to work after being ill with a respiratory illness, you will be required to have a physician’s note. 
2. Notify us if you develop respiratory symptoms while at work. These include: cough, fever, sore throat, runny nose, and/or shortness of breath.
3. Practice proper hand washing hygiene. All employees should clean their hands before and after interaction with Residents and their environment with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains 60-95% alcohol, or wash their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Soap and water should be used preferentially if hands are visibly dirty.
4. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. Please review the CDC’s information on coughing and sneezing etiquette at: https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/hygiene/etiquette/coughing_sneezing.html
5. Perform routine environmental cleaning. Routinely clean all frequently touched surfaces in the workplace, such as workstations, countertops, and doorknobs. Use the cleaning agents that are usually used in these areas and follow the directions on the label. No special cleaning is necessary for COVID-19. 
6. Practice social distancing in the community.  Keep at least 6 feet apart from individuals wherever and whenever possible.  Do not congregate in crowded social gatherings.

Thank you all for your continuing support. We will provide updates regularly. If you have any questions, please let me know. Together, we will continue to do our best to keep everyone we care for healthy and well, and we will emerge from this situation a stronger and even more close-knit community.

With gratitude,
Susan McCrary, NHA, MBA President and CEO

From St. Ignatius Nursing & Rehab Center to Staff:

March 26, 2020

Dear St. Ignatius Staff:  

We are writing to inform you that one of our employees here at St. Ignatius has tested positive for COVID-19, the coronavirus.  

We have been in contact with the City of Philadelphia’s Department of Health and have followed their directives on what to do based on this case.  All precautions that they have communicated to us have been implemented so that you, our valued employees, as well as our dear Residents, remain safe and healthy.  We shared with the Department the precautions that we already had in place prior to this confirmed case and they were more than satisfied with what we have done.  

Due to HIPAA regulations, we are not at liberty to share with you who the employee is.  We ask that you do not resort to gossiping about this but if you have specific questions about the safety measures that we have in place each day to keep you safe, please feel free to reach out to us.  

As a reminder, please adhere to the procedures and precautions below to continue to keep us all safe and healthy:  

•  Sick employees should stay home. At this time, we request that you stay home if you have any symptoms of respiratory illness. Those symptoms include: cough, fever, sore throat, runny nose, and/or shortness of breath.  When calling out sick, please be prepared to describe your symptoms to your supervisor.  On your return to work after being ill with a respiratory illness, you will be required to have a physician’s note. 
• Notify us if you develop respiratory symptoms while at work. These include: cough, fever, sore throat, runny nose, and/or shortness of breath.
• Practice proper hand washing hygiene. All employees should clean their hands before and after interaction with Residents and their environment with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains 60-95% alcohol, or wash their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Soap and water should be used preferentially if hands are visibly dirty.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. Please review the CDC’s information on coughing and sneezing etiquette at: https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/hygiene/etiquette/coughing_sneezing.html
• Perform routine environmental cleaning. Routinely clean all frequently touched surfaces in the workplace, such as workstations, countertops, and doorknobs. Use the cleaning agents that are usually used in these areas and follow the directions on the label. No special cleaning is necessary for COVID-19.
• Practice social distancing in the community.  Keep at least 6 feet apart from individuals wherever and whenever possible.  Do not congregate in crowded social gatherings.            

Thank you for your continued support and the work you do every day for our Residents.
With gratitude,    

Susan McCrary, NHA, MBA                                     Scot Weirich
President and CEO                                                  Director of Human Resources

From St. Ignatius Nursing & Rehab Center to Staff:

March 13, 2020

Dear St. Ignatius Staff: 

We know some of you may be concerned about the spread of COVID-19 (the new coronavirus) and how it may affect us here at St. Ignatius. Ensuring our staff and Residents are in a safe and healthy environment is our greatest concern.  

At this time, we do not have any cases in our facility. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) have recommended a variety of steps that we are implementing to help reduce the potential for the virus to enter our building. We need your help in preventing COVID-19 from spreading in our community.  

Below are some examples of how you can help protect yourselves and our Residents: 

1. Sick employees should stay home. At this time, we request that you stay home if you have any symptoms of respiratory illness. Those symptoms include: cough, fever, sore throat, runny nose, and/or shortness of breath.  When calling out sick, please be prepared to describe your symptoms to your supervisor.  On your return to work after being ill with a respiratory illness, you will be required to have a physician’s note. 
2. Notify us if you develop respiratory symptoms while at work. These include: cough, fever, sore throat, runny nose, and/or shortness of breath.
3. Practice proper hand washing hygiene. All employees should clean their hands before and after interaction with Residents and their environment with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains 60-95% alcohol, or wash their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Soap and water should be used preferentially if hands are visibly dirty.
4. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. Please review the CDC’s information on coughing and sneezing etiquette at: https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/hygiene/etiquette/coughing_sneezing.html
5. Perform routine environmental cleaning. Routinely clean all frequently touched surfaces in the workplace, such as workstations, countertops, and doorknobs. Use the cleaning agents that are usually used in these areas and follow the directions on the label. No special cleaning is necessary for COVID-19.

St. Ignatius is following the recommendations of the CDC on using basic contact precautions to prevent the spread, which includes wearing gowns and gloves when interacting with Residents who are sick, as we always do. We also are staying up-to-date with the CDC recommendations as they are updated. In addition, we are in close contact with the local and state health departments and are following their guidance.  

We will notify you if any Residents or staff are diagnosed with COVID-19. Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact your immediate supervisor, Mia Carter, DON, or me. 

For additional information, please visit the CDC’s coronavirus disease information page: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/ 

Thank you for your continued support and the work you do every day for our Residents. 
With gratitude, 
Susan McCrary, NHA, MBA
President and CEO

From St. Ignatius Nursing & Rehab Center to Residents and Family Members:

March 11, 2020

Dear Residents and Family Members:  

We know that you may be concerned about the spread of COVID-19, the coronavirus, which is being reported on regularly in the media.  Ensuring Residents are cared for at St. Ignatius Nursing & Rehab Center in a safe and healthy environment is our greatest concern.  At this time, we do not have any cases of COVID-19 at St. Ignatius.  The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) as well as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have recommended a number of steps that we are implementing to help reduce the potential for the virus to enter our facility.  However, we need your help in this process.  Below are some examples of how you can help protect our Residents as well as prevent the spread throughout the community.  

Although we do not have any cases of COVID-19 at this time, we have adopted the recommendation of CMS and we respectfully ask that you do not visit St. Ignatius at this time.  Our Residents’ health is our top priority, including that of your loved one.  Therefore, we have made the decision to not allow visitors.  We will be re-evaluating this decision on a weekly basis and will update you accordingly.  In the event a resident is seriously ill or is receiving end-of-life care, visitation would be allowed.  We understand that connecting with family members is vitally important, so please explore all available means of connecting with them – telephone, text, or other electronic options. With the assistance of our IT consultant, we are exploring visual options and will update you when more information is available.     

St. Ignatius Nursing & Rehab Center is following the recommendations of the CDC on prevention steps, including following strict handwashing procedures, and in many circumstances, wearing gowns and gloves when interacting with Residents who are sick.  We are also staying up-to-date on a daily basis with the CDC, CMS, and local health authorities to review their recommendations and make appropriate changes to our protocols and procedures as warranted.  

We will notify you if any Residents or staff are diagnosed with COVID-19.  Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at 215-349-8800 or you can email me directly at smccrary@stinrc.org   For additional information, please visit the CDC’s website at https://www.cdc.gov/   Thank you for your assistance in keeping our Residents safe and healthy.  

Sincerely,  
Susan McCrary, NHA, MBA
President and CEO