Coronavirus Update #112
HFAM Update, Meal Delivery Photos, MDH Webinar, Essity Information
Friends:

Thank you for all you and your healthcare heroes are doing today and every day. Every death is sad and to be mourned, however the truth is that today more people are recovering than are dying from COVID-19 in our sector. As we’ve written before, there is definitely a correlation to community surge in a geographic area and the “hotness” of healthcare settings in that area – so I continue to worry about future surges or waves of COVID-19 in communities. And as testing is reported, numbers will increase – just not at the rate they did in April.

A few IMPORTANT key points and reminders:

Joining with my colleagues from LifeSpan and LeadingAge Maryland, I will be part of a discussion with the Alzheimer’s Association tomorrow.  The discussion is completely open, legislators and media have been invited, I urge you please register and attend tomorrow:

Details:
Tuesday, June 9 
11:00 AM
Finally, universal messages we have sent time and time again:

  • Focus on providing quality care
  • Value your team
  • Over communicate with residents, patients, families and staff
  • Operate DRIVEN your infectious disease protocol
  • Take and document your action
  • Keep a timeline
  • Work with your hospital partners, and coordinate with local and state regulatory partners
  • Training - now is the time to be continuously training on PPE, Donning, Doffing and all things infectious disease protocol, workforce/workflow

Be well,
Joe DeMattos
President & CEO
HFAM Foundation and Horizon Foundation Meal Delivery

As we have previously shared, the  Horizon Foundation has made a $125,000 grant to the HFAM Foundation to provide personal protective equipment, food and temporary housing for front line health care workers at assisted living, skilled nursing and other alternative living facilities in Howard County, and to provide technology so that patients can better engage with loved ones who cannot visit during the state of emergency. 

Last Friday, the first meal delivery took place and lunch was served to the  healthcare heroes  at  Vantage House in Columbia.

We are grateful for Horizon’s support and partnership as we continue serving the community during the  COVID-19  crisis and we appreciate all the   LTC heroes   that continue providing  quality care !
MDH Webinar

Last week, the Maryland Department of Health held a webinar call to update the long-term care sector on COVID-19 developments and best practices. The call was recorded, in case you were unable to join or would like to review the topics discussed, which included:

  • Review current situation of COVID-19
  • State and Federal Updates
  • NHSN Enrollment Updates
  • Reopening
  • Town Hall


You can also view the webinar's    PowerPoint presentation here.

If you have any questions, please email   [email protected]
Essity

Essity is here to support you while wearing protective masks. Please see this PDF for more information.

  • Wearing facial masks and head gear for long periods of time can create undesirable skin injuries on forehead, nasal bridge and cheek areas.

  • Research has shown that hydrocolloids among other items can help with these types of skin injuries.

  • BSN Medical Inc, an Essity company, has multiple choices to help minimize injuries to the healthcare provider and allow them to maximize their PPE utilization and duration without skin injury and discomfort.

If you would like further details and/or a free sample, please contact Sonya Bush at:  [email protected] or 267-678-3095.
Who are your healthcare heroes?

There are so many amazing stories of dedication, sacrifice, and compassion by long term care professionals who are going above and beyond to ensure the safety, health, and happiness of residents during this unprecedented time. These individuals are saving lives; they are heroes.

We want to hear your stories!

Please email  [email protected]   to share a current story and picture of members of your team who are going above beyond to provide quality care during this unprecedented time. 
Did you miss HFAM's previous alerts?

Visit our website to view all previous HFAM alerts, as well as guidance
from our federal and state partners.
Thank you.

We cannot thank you enough for the dedication and diligence in doing all that you can for the residents in your communities. HFAM continues to monitor the COVID-19 pandemic with our state and national partners and will do all we can to support you during this time.