Thomas, WV – – Nursing homes and their staff are very familiar with infection control. After all, it’s their goal to keep those in their care healthy and well. So, when something like the coronavirus (COVID-19) comes along, they know that infection control is important in preventing transmission of the virus to patients and fellow healthcare workers.
“The safety of our residents is our top priority,” states Cortland Administrator Beth Clevenger. “We recognize that the spread of COVID-19 is a critical issue and our number one goal is to try to keep the virus out of our facility.
Using guidelines established by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the American Health Care Association (AHCA), CMS, WVDHHR and others, Cortland Acres is taking the recommended steps to ensure the health and well-being of its residents during the coronavirus outbreak by restricting all non-essential visits to residents’ effective March 12, 2020. We understand that connecting with family and friends is incredibly important and we recommend several ways you can stay in contact during this outbreak. You may telephone the facility at 304.463.4181 and ask to speak to one of the residents or contact a member of our Activities staff at extension 218 to make arrangements to communicate through Facebook, Skype or FaceTime.
While visitation is restricted at Cortland’s nursing home, outpatient rehab remains open. Those utilizing the rehab gym will continue to use the rehab entrance and will be screened upon arrival. Outpatient rehab will be restricted to the rehab gym and access to the main facility is restricted.
Additional precautions have also been put in place to mitigate the introduction of the coronavirus at the facility, including the establishment of an internal Task Force to collect and disseminate information, as well as implement additional recommendations. Admission into the Cortland Acres Nursing Home by employees, essential vendors and consultants will be limited to a single point of entry and require mandatory screening of the key symptoms of the coronavirus.
Communication with residents about decisions to protect their wellbeing is ongoing. Families of residents are being informed (via telephone and letters) of the new protective measures, and in particular the restriction on visitation. Regular updates are being posted to Facebook and the Cortland website as well. Inventory of medical supplies are being closely monitored and vendors are being contacted for information regarding anticipated interruptions in deliveries.
“It’s very important that we restrict all family members and volunteers from visiting Cortland Acres for the time being,” explains Cortland Medical Director Dr. Margaret Kaiser. “We are in very close communication with local and state health officials to ensure we are taking all the appropriate steps. Our first line of defense is frequent hand-washing. After that, it’s a matter of simply using common sense – keep your hands away from your face, avoid physical contact such as handshakes and hugs, use alcohol-based hand sanitizers, cover your coughs, and disinfect the environment regularly.”
Cortland Acres is a non-profit corporation offering state-of-the-art nursing care and skilled rehabilitation on a spacious 35-acre campus is the heart of scenic Tucker County, West Virginia. The Cortland campus includes a 94-bed long-term care facility, inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation and therapy options, as well as a variety of independent living opportunities. For more information call 304-463-4181 or visit www.cortlandacres.org.