Questions and Answers from Town Hall Meetings
The following questions were asked at the two Town Hall Meetings held on 3/11. The answers to these questions are below. Some are still pending processes being developed, but the majority have an answer or process in place as of 3/12/2020. If you have any additional questions, please reach out to us at questions@welshhome.com.
Can we visit our loved ones?
- As of 3/11/2020, The Welsh Home is limiting all visitation. That means you will not be able to visit your loved one. Please see our website for updates. www.welshhome.com
When does the limited visitation policy go into effect?
- Limited visitation is in place as of 3/11/2020 at 11 PM
Do you have an end date for the visitation restriction?
- No. We are closely following the CDC, CMS and ODH for updates regarding visitation policies. When we have an update, we will post it to our social media platforms and alert all families.
Will Residents be keeping their outside Dr. Appointments?
- You loved ones Physician and/or Nurse Practitioner is currently working with The Welsh Home appointment scheduler to determine which appointments are essential and which are non-essential. Non-essential appointments will be postponed until further notice. Essential appointments will still happen.
Can we accompany residents for appointments?
- At this point, you may still accompany your loved one to appointments. Please note that all non-essential appointments will be postponed. If you are accompanying your loved one, you must meet them outside.
Are we still able to do our loved ones laundry?
- At this time, the facility will be doing all our resident’s laundry in house. We reviewed the request and due to the volume and concerns about maintaining the integrity of our infection control process, it has been decided that we cannot make those accommodations. We did have a family suggest a compromise that we would like to pass along to everyone. If you would like to bring in a large mesh bag, so while still being washed together with the facility’s laundry, it can be kept separate. If you would like to bring a mesh bag in, please follow our delivery process to get that to our staff for use.We recognize that with such a quick transition in service models, there will be some unmarked clothes. We will be maintaining a separate lost and found to be able to sort things out once the dust settles.
If someone is showing symptoms of virus, will they be tested at The Welsh Home or hospital?
- At this current time (3/12) The Welsh Home does not have any COVID-19 test kits. The current process would be send specimen to The Cleveland Clinic Lab for testing. We are working with the Cleveland Clinic to have test kits available at The Welsh Home. When we have test available in-house we will update families.
How do you define exceptions for End-of-Life and Emotional Well-Being Support?
- Our Physicians will work in collaboration with hospice professionals to determine when there is a significant change in condition and/or end of life symptoms present that would warrant the resident receiving visitors. This will be handled on a case to case basis.
- In regards to the “emotional well-being” clause CMS stated in its definition of “limiting” we are asking and encouraging families to understand the threat of visits. We will address all concerns on a case by case basis, but do not want this clause to become a loophole that would result in even further restrictions being placed for all.
What additional cleaning procedures are you employing?
- We follow standard infection control protocol all the time, but have increased our disinfecting efforts even more. We have verified all our cleaning chemicals will kill COVID-19 and increased our PAR levels on all our cleaning supplies and chemicals. We have a Clorox 360 machine to disinfect room and we are employing an increased use of this machine.
Will there be a process to drop items off to residents?
- As of right now, items can be dropped on in the front lobby vestibule in the between the doors between 9 am and 6 pm. When you drop something off, please call The Welsh Home at 440-331-0420 to alert us that there is a package in the vestibule for your family member. Please click here for full process.
Can we trust that we are going to be updated?
- We are committed to making sure we are updating our residents and family as much as we can. We encourage people to visit our website, follow us on twitter @thewelshhome, and follow us on Facebook, for quick updates. Any clinical updates regarding your loved one will come from a member of our nursing team. We are all in this together and will do our best to be as transparent as we can at all times.
If families aren’t able to come in, how will you ensure residents are receiving the social stimulation they need?
- We are in the process of developing a one of one life enrichment plan for residents who are accustom to having a lot of one on one visitors daily. If you have questions regarding your loved ones specific one on one plan, please contact us at questions@welshhome.com
What will you do with Resident’s mail that the family usually picks up?
- If we receive mail that needs to be given to a Resident’s family member, our receptionist will be forwarding that mail through the United States Postal Service.
What steps are staff members following to help protect the Residents?
- All staff members are being screened upon arrival to work. They are having their temperatures taken and answering a series of questions to screen them for symptoms of COVID-19. If they show any symptoms, they will be sent home and advised to follow up with their primary care physician before they can return to work.
- When caring for residents, we are asking all staff to use Standard Precautions. If a resident is showing signs of respiratory symptoms, at that time, the staff members will increase their PPE usage.
- All PAR levels of PPE (masks, gowns, gloves, eye googles) were increased weeks ago to prepare to defend in place.
Has the State of Ohio put a procedure in place if The Welsh Home gets to a staffing shortage?
- The State of Ohio has issued a State of Emergency. If we get to a place where we are extremely challenged in staffing, we will be contacting our agency partners, our Cleveland Clinic partners and the State of Ohio for further assistance.
When will the Residents be updated on new policy?
- A group of residents were updated and informed of new visitation policy on 3/11/2020 during the family Town Hall Meetings
- Resident Council is on 3/12/2020 at 11:00 AM, where all residents are invited to come and the policy will be reviewed there.
- Any resident who was not at either meeting will be updated one on one by a member of The Welsh Home management team.
Are the activities for Residents continuing?
- As of right now, yes. This could change depending on how the situation unfolds
Is therapy for Residents continuing?
How will leadership coverage change?
- The leadership team is committed to helping all staff and residents during this situation as much as possible. At this current time, there will be a manager in the building from 3/12-3/16, 4:00 AM – 11:00 PM.
Can Hospice workers come into the buildling?
- Hospice Physicians, Nurse and STNA’s can come into the building as long as they pass the screening.
Will psychological services for the Residents continue?
- Yes, as long as medical professionals pass the screening.
Are you placing any travel restrictions on staff members?
- No, not at this point. Staff must answer questions in the screening regarding international travel and exposure to someone with COVID-19. If this policy changes, we will update families.
Do you have any negative pressure rooms?
- We do not. The hospital systems understand that nursing facilities aren’t equipped with negative pressure rooms. The hospitals have them. In the event a resident would need a negative pressure room, that would be evaluated by their physician and would require hospital transfer.
Can services like Notary Public or like services come into the building?
- We understand the need for daily actitivies to continue. We will handle these individual requests
How will you help facilitate phone calls for residents?
- We are currently in process of developing a plan to help facilitate family and resident calls. At this time, if you have a request, please send an email to questions@welshhome.com and we will help schedule a time with a staff member.
How will you help make sure patients whose families help them understand what is happening to them clinically, understand in the absence of family?
- We are currently in process of identifying residents who rely on family communication to understand. Once we have those identified we will come up with a plan for each individually to make sure their needs are being met.
My loved one is non-communicative, how will I know who they are doing?
- You are always welcomed and encouraged to call The Welsh Home and talk to the nurse taking care of your loved one. 440-331-0420. If you have other questions, please email us at questions@welshhome and we will make sure it is triaged to the right person.
Can people of faith visit?
- Not at this time. If they are needed for last rites, we will evaluated that on a case by case basis.
Are you concerned about a shortage of medication?
- At this time, our pharmacy is not concerned about a medication shortage. We have increased out PAR levels of all over-the-counter medication in preparation.
How do we set up a Skype or FaceTime on one of The Welsh Home iPads?
- We are in the process of developing a way to schedule the iPads. At this time, please email questions@welshhome.com to schedule with a team member.
Do you need volunteers at this time?
- No. At this time, we are really trying to limit any additional exposure. There may come a time where we ask for volunteers and if that happens we will update you.
How will you communicate with restriction is lifted?
- We will post on our website, Facebook and twitter, as well as, email and phone calls to families.
