What We Are Doing
Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)
June 11, 2020
It has been almost three months since visitor restrictions were implemented. We know how challenging these unprecedented times have been for everyone, and we want to thank you for your continued patience and support as we begin to carefully navigate towards reopening to visitors.
Understanding the vulnerable nature of the population we care for and our responsibility to protect them, it requires ongoing, aggressive efforts to prevent COVID-19 exposure. As such, Dove Healthcare will use guidance and criteria specified by CMS, DHS, and local public health departments for creating and implementing a multi-phased plan to relax certain restrictions and mitigate the risk of COVID-19 resurgence.
CMS recently released preliminary guidance that included multiple criteria that must be taken into account prior to reopening:
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Case status in community: This factor will vary for each county. We do not have public health guidance yet, likely because they are awaiting DHS guidance.
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Case status in location: At this time, we do not have any known active cases of COVID-19 (residents and employees).
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Adequate staffing: All of our locations are fortunate to have adequate staffing.
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Access to adequate testing
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Access to adequate PPE (personal protective equipment) for employees
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Universal source control (includes visitors and residents wearing face coverings, social distancing, and hand washing/sanitizing).
It is important to understand that each of the above criteria has yet to be fully defined by CMS. For example, we do not know what "adequate testing" means as far as frequency required for both residents and employees. Before we can proceed with implementation of a reopening plan, we must be able to meet the ongoing requirements of adequate testing.
Again, we are fully committed to reopening safely and in compliance with CMS and DHS, as well as the local public health department's community specific requirements. Unfortunately, we have yet to receive specific guidance from DHS or public health, and so at this time, we are unable to fully prepare or provide you with a detailed plan for reopening.
We will keep you informed in the weeks ahead as we continue to receive communications from federal, state, and local departments. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions or concerns. We are here to support you.
June 6, 2020
Free, voluntary COVID-19 testing for residents and employees took place at nine Dove Healthcare locations in May.
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We are happy to announce that all of the test results were negative for residents and employees at all locations, with the exception of the one employee at Dove Healthcare - West Eau Claire that we shared with you on May 28. Eau Claire City-County Health Department deems an individual "recovered" when they are released from isolation. This employee was released from isolation June 6.
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As we previously shared with you, prior to their May 28 testing day, Dove Healthcare - South Eau Claire was notified an employee tested positive for COVID-19. Again, the health department deems an individual "recovered" when they are released from isolation. This employee was released from isolation June 4.
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Please note: The health department confirmed both cases at Dove Healthcare - South Eau Claire and West Eau Claire were community-acquired, meaning the two employees did not acquire the virus at the facility, and thus, exposure risk for our residents and other employees was low.
We are so grateful for our dedicated, professional team for their unwavering care and support of our valued residents and their families.
In addition, thank you to our families, partners, and community members that continue to reach out to us daily with support and encouragement. We appreciate you.
Wednesday, June 3, 2020
"It's Summertime and the Livin' is Easy…" Or is it?
One of the great things about living in small town, northwestern WI is all of our nostalgic summertime traditions…fairs, parades, outdoor concerts, family barbecues, fun runs, and so much more. And, let's be honest, because we deal with winter at least six months out of the year, we can justifiably say we value and look forward to these traditions more than others living elsewhere (i.e. Florida).
So, if you're feeling a bit down or mournful as we step into June, it's understandable. All of us at Dove Healthcare can relate.
But, there's another thing that we are known for here and that's pulling together, supporting each other, and making the most of any situation.
What's important to our residents is important to us. Rest assured, our team is committed to being creative and exploring alternatives so the nostalgia of summertime is still experienced in 2020. (If you have ideas, send them our way.)
Meanwhile, we need to share a few reminders related to COVID-19:
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Routinely check the COVID-19 page on our website dovehealthcare.com for updates, including CMS' new required reporting of respiratory infections and COVID-19 positive test results at skilled nursing facilities / nursing homes.
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Visitor restrictions are still in place inside and outside on the grounds of all Dove Healthcare locations. Despite the end or change to safer-at-home orders, all Dove Healthcare locations continue to abide by CDC, CMS, and DHS guidelines. Therefore, our current practices, protocols, and procedures as they relate to COVID-19 remain in effect until further notice. Please, continue to contact us to set up alternative ways of visiting with your loved ones.
We are here to support you in any way we can. Our primary focus and goal has been and always will be to protect the safety and wellbeing of our residents and employees. Thank you for your understanding and support as we continue to navigate these waters, together.
Thursday, May 28, 2020
The following update was shared with our Dove Healthcare - West Eau Claire (Truax Blvd) residents and their primary contact today, as well as our employees. We want to be forthcoming with our valued community and provide assurance that every precautionary measure has been and continues to be taken to combat COVID-19. We are committed to the safety and well-being of all those entrusted in our care.
Dove Healthcare - West Eau Claire Update May 28, 2020
Friday, May 22, 2020
The following update was shared with our Dove Healthcare - South Eau Claire (Mall Drive) residents and their primary contact, as well as our employees. We want to be forthcoming with our valued community and provide assurance that every precautionary measure has been and continues to be taken to combat COVID-19. We are committed to the safety and well-being of all those entrusted in our care.
Dove Healthcare - South Eau Claire Update May 22, 2020
May 13, 2020
VISITOR RESTRICTIONS STILL IN EFFECT
Even though the Safer-at-Home order has been lifted in Wisconsin, this does not change anything for long-term care settings like Dove Healthcare. All 11 Dove Healthcare locations will continue to abide by CDC and CMS guidelines. Therefore, our current practices, protocols, and procedures as they relate to COVID-19 remain in effect.
We sincerely understand how difficult this time has been for our residents, their loved ones, and our employees. We are here to support you in any way we can. Our primary focus and goal has been and always will be to protect the safety and wellbeing of our residents and employees
We continue to monitor communications daily from federal, state, and local officials, and we will provide timely updates as they become available. Please routinely check this page for updates, and contact the administrator of any Dove Healthcare location if you have questions. Thank you.
May 14, 2020
TESTING FOR COVID-19
During the month of May, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) is calling upon local public health departments to coordinate with every nursing home / skilled nursing facility a plan to offer free, voluntary testing to all residents and employees. According to DHS, testing will occur by May 31.
COVID-19 testing is strongly recommended. In congregate living settings like skilled nursing facilities, physical distancing can be difficult to maintain. Furthermore, people can have COVID-19 without any symptoms, so residents and employees are encouraged to get tested even if they feel well. Every individual will receive information about COVID-19 and the test.
While DHS is only offering testing to skilled nursing facilities, the following Dove Healthcare assisted living residences will be offering testing as well because they are attached to a skilled nursing facility: Dove Healthcare - Osseo, Orchard Hills Assisted Living, and South Eau Claire.
Currently, our team is working on finding out who wants to participate in the testing; obtaining testing orders from physicians for residents that wish to participate; and coordinating the logistics of onsite testing. Our testing supplies have not arrived as of the time we are sending this communication to you.
With adherence to confidentiality and HIPAA, all of the residents, their primary contact, and employees will be informed if a positive result is confirmed at their location, and we will then share the specific details of our response plan. Rest assured, we are well prepared to respond as we are continuously working on processes and protocols with our team.
The following is a generalized overview of interventions that will go into effect if an employee or residents tests positive for COVID-19:
If you have any questions or concerns, contact the administrator at any Dove Healthcare location.
May 12, 2020
❗️ Do you have new / gently used fabric or sheets you can donate to Dove Healthcare?
❗️ Would you be willing to make medical gowns?
While there are no known cases of COVID-19 at Dove Healthcare, we always want to be prepared.
URGENT NEED:
There is a nationwide shortage of medical isolation gowns. Gowns are personal protective equipment (PPE) worn by our nurses and caregivers to help protect them from the potential spread of infection or illness.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
* Pick Up a Kit and Make a Gown (easy directions provided)
* Donate Fabric or Bed Sheets (new or gently used)
* Help Spread the Word (share our 1st post on Facenbook: https://www.facebook.com/dovehealthcare/
QUESTIONS OR SIGN UP TO HELP
info@dovehealthcare.com (email is preferred)
715-930-6004
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE "GOWNS FOR GOOD" PROJECT: https://www.dovehealthcare.com/events.phtml
https://www.facebook.com/dovehealthcare/
May 8, 2020
Beginning May 8, 2020, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is requiring all nursing homes to report by 5PM the next calendar day following the occurrence of either:
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Each time a confirmed infection of COVID-19 is identified (resident or employee); OR
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Whenever three or more residents or employees with new onset of respiratory symptoms occur within 72 hours of each other.
As we shared with you in previous communications, there are currently no known positive cases of COVID-19 at any Dove Healthcare location. In the event we are informed an employee or resident tests positive, our plan has always been to notify the residents, their primary contact, and the employees at the respective location and share our response plan. Rest assured we are well prepared to respond; we are continuously working on processes and protocols with our team.
This new CMS ruling applies to six Dove Healthcare locations, and the report with the information noted above is updated daily on this page of our website. Please check our website routinely for other timely updates as well.
As always, you are encouraged to contact us with any concerns or questions so we can best assist you. We will continue to keep you informed of changes that may affect you.
CAUTION WITH OUTSIDE VISITS
With the warmer days upon us, everyone is anxious to head outside and sit on the patio or take a walk. When our residents are outside, visitors or family members are not allowed - under any circumstance - to meet them on the grounds for a visit. Thank you for your cooperation.
YES! DOVE HEALTHCARE IS ACTIVELY HIRING EMPLOYEES & ADMITTING PATIENTS
Dove Healthcare is actively hiring employees and admitting patients and residents. We are working every day to fill a variety of openings at our 11 locations in northwestern Wisconsin. Furthermore, we are committed to providing care when called upon and that includes during this unprecedented time with COVID-19. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the administrator. Thank you.
DONATIONS OF PPE ACCEPTED
Do you have masks or medical / isolation gowns you can donate? Are you interested in making gowns for us? Please contact Angela for the details: info@dovehealthcare.com or 715-930-6004.
COVID-19 PREVENTATIVE MEASURES
While this is not an all-inclusive list, it is a general overview of our COVID-19 preventative measures. Due to the variances in size and scope of each Dove Healthcare location, please contact the administrator if you have questions regarding location-specific protocols.
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No visitors allowed; only essential employees and those deemed medically-necessary are allowed onsite after successfully passing screening at the door
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No group activities or communal dining
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Increased cleaning, especially to high touch areas
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PPE use per CDC guidelines
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Routine health screening and vital sign monitoring of residents and employees
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Ongoing education
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Leadership actively participates in federal, state, and local conference calls and webinars
MEDIA: Please do not call any of our Dove Healthcare locations. Thank you for allowing the leaders at our locations to remain focused on the comfort and well-being of their residents and employees. All inquiries must contact Regional Director of Community Relations Angela Hite at 715-225-3496 or ahite@dovehealthare.com
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