COVID-19 Update

March 11, 2020

Re: COVID-19 Update

Dear Family, Residents, and Friends:

On behalf of our entire team at Camarillo Healthcare Center, we want to thank you for allowing us to care for you or your loved one.  We recognize the high level of trust that you place in us, and we are committed to continuing our tradition of excellence in 2020.

During the past year, Camarillo Healthcare Center has continued to make strides in our goal of providing the highest quality of care to our Residents.  Additionally, we have spent considerable time and resources in emergency preparedness. For example, we have worked with the county, American Health Care Association, Department of Health, Center for Disease Control, the acute care hospital, and our community to develop a comprehensive plan to keep your loved one safe in the event the unexpected occurs.

We know many of you are concerned about the spread of COVID-19 (the new coronavirus) and how it may impact us here at Camarillo. Providing care to our residents in a safe and healthy environment is our first priority. 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 and Medicaid Services (CMS) have recommended a variety of steps designed to address the situation, the implementation of which allows us to reaffirm and validate our internal infection control processes and procedures. In addition, we want to assure you that we are actively monitoring and managing our environment to further prevent and reduce the spread of infection for the benefit of our community.

For your information, we have listed below a sampling of some of our activities targeted at infection prevention:

• Monitoring staff and visitors for proper hand washing and use of alcohol hand gels/sanitizers upon entering and while inside the Facility.

• • • Using questionnaire to learn of any exposure generally or at any other Facility.
    • Providing masks.
    • Enforcing limited visitors by hours.

• Reviewing Isolation procedures and confirming that they are appropriately implemented.
• Educating and reminding staff, contractors, volunteers to stay home if they are sick
• Working with families on alternate ways to connect with their family members (e.g., Skype, phone calls and email).
• Checking routinely with the County and State health departments for updated recommendations on the prevention and management of COVID-19.
• Limiting public entrance to one door.
• Questioning and assessment of visitors prior to entry, and denial of entry to anyone whose health or travel history poses a risk to the Camarillo Healthcare community.
• Posting infection prevention signs.
• Monitoring the CDC website for the latest information on Coronavirus prevention strategies, testing guidance, and recommendations for health care workers.

The Facility continues to provide information to staff and families on what they can do to protect themselves from the risk of possible infection. Per the Center for Disease Control, this includes:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, then throw the tissue in the trash and wash your hands.
• Clean and disinfect objects and surfaces.
• Stay at home and away from others if you are feeling ill.
• Provide reminders in the workplace about illness prevention steps
• Prepare for possible absences in case of illness or school and childcare closures
• (Note: The CDC does NOT currently recommend that the general public use masks). 

The Facility will also be coordinating with the Resident Council on infection prevention issues, including:

1. Cleaning and disinfecting measures in rooms and common areas.
2. Monitoring visitors to ensure that no one with any sign or symptom of illness is permitted in the building.
3. Establishing alternate modes of visitation (e.g. phone, email, skype).
4. General infection control and prevention procedures.

Thank you for your continuing confidence in Camarillo, and for helping us in our attempts to keep our residents and staff safe.  Please do not hesitate to reach out with questions, concerns or requests for assistance.  We will keep you updated as additional information becomes available.

Sincerely,

Brad Willits
Administrator
Camarillo Healthcare Center