Elwyn client tests positive for COVID-19
MIDDLETOWN » After a client on the Elwyn campus tested positive for coronavirus, there was a delay in staff members being notified and the area was not cleaned adequately, sources close to the situation said.
Elwyn officials did not confirm or deny that a client in the Glenview building had tested positive for COVID-19 and said they, like the plight shared by other health care providers locally and nationally, are working to get more Personal Protective Equipment supplies. Elwyn officials said employees are not required to wear them if all the residents in a home or facility are negative and symptom-free.
The source said the infected client is in the hospital and on a respirator.
“The building was not properly cleaned,” the source said. “The other clients that lived with that client or shared a bedroom with that client were not tested or the room was not cleaned ... Staff members are freaking out because they have family members or their own children at home with compromised immune systems and they can’t be bringing this home.”
Charles S. McLister, president and CEO of Elwyn, said the facility takes all appropriate measures as directed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention including intense cleaning and disinfecting of all buildings, surfaces and high-touch areas several times a day, prohibiting visitors, requiring non-essential employees to work remotely, closely monitoring employees and supported individuals for symptoms, implementing quarantine measures when appropriate and using PPE when necessary and available.
The source did note a shortage of PPE on campus. They said Elwyn does have hand sanitizer and gloves but no glasses, gowns or masks. They also said staff members are going out on stress leave and are being told they must use their own time.
McLister responded that Elwyn has reached out to more than 10,000 people for donations of supplies and donations.
“Similar to other providers like Elwyn, including many health care systems, we are vigorously seeking existing and new suppliers of PPE to combat the nationwide and catastrophic shortage of such equipment,” the CEO explained. “Elwyn has formed a centralized, enhanced procurement department to combat this crisis and has seen increasing success in recent days.
“While we currently have enough supplies on hand, we have proactively ordered thousands of gloves, masks and gowns, as well as large quantities of hand sanitizer and CDC-approved cleaning supplies,” Lister continued. “It is important to note, as per the CDC, our employees are not required to wear PPE if all residents in a home or facility are all negative and symptomfree.”
He said the situation is being monitored closely from every angle.
“When we suspect an individual of having the virus, we follow the CDC guidance with regard to implementing quarantine measures and use of PPE,” Lister said. “When we become aware of a confirmed case of COVID-19, we make required regulatory notifications, notifying families and employees who are at increased risk due to exposure, and modifying staffing schedules to the extent possible to prevent exposure of other individuals.”
He noted that the virus testing results are currently taking between three to seven days.
Lister said information regarding Short Term Disability, the Family Medical Leave Act, the Employee Assistance Program and Workers’ Compensation has been distributed to employees.
Understanding that Elwyn supports a large number of at-risk COVID-19 persons, Lister said the work of Elwyn essential employees and supervisors is even more important.
“We applaud these courageous staff for choosing to serve in the face of this unprecedented and frightening challenge,” Lister said. “We will continue to make their safety - along with the safety of the individuals we support and all of their families - our top priority.”’