HIPAA and PPE Letter Home

Since our last communication with you, there have been several confirmed cased of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Chautauqua County as well as several individuals who have recovered from the virus locally, but we have NOT had a positive case on our campus thus far. New information was recently released to the community regarding this public health crisis so we thought it best to communicate what some of that means for us and for your loved ones who reside with us.

First, while we understand your desire to know, we are prohibited from sharing specific names, medical history, or contact information of those tested for COVID-19 on our campus regardless of the results. Sharing this information would be a violation of every residents’ rights. We kindly ask you to refrain from requesting this information from our direct care staff as they cannot and will not share it.

Second, you have undoubtedly read about the shortage of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in our nation-wide healthcare system. At this time, our supply of medical-grade PPE is in OK shape. However, with the recent directive given from NYS Governor Andrew Cuomo stating that all New Yorkers are to wear a face covering in crowded public spaces at all times, our employees may be in need of fabric or cloth masks to wear outside of our work environment. If you or someone you know would like to donate fabric masks for our staff to take home with them, please contact Barb Best in our Purchasing Department at 716-720-9129.

Third, we wanted to remind you that we have a secure video chatroom available as well as several mobile devices that residents can use to connect with friends and family during our no visitation period. The activities staff at both the Hultquist Place Assisted Living Program and the Lutheran Home and Rehabilitation Center are available to assist with scheduling these calls.

Lastly, the #THANKSHEALTHHEROES movement online is very strong, but often times the nursing staff and ancillary services in long term care settings are forgotten about in the media. Please consider visiting our Facebook page, sending a letter of thanks, or emailing erodriguez@lutheran-jamestown.org with your own personal messages of encouragement and wisdom we may share with our dedicated staff. Your kind words and support help keep them going strong in these uncertain times.

We will continue to update you as new information is received and especially if any individuals test positive for COVID-19 in our facility. As a reminder, we should all continue to wash our hands regularly and practice social distancing as much as possible. We’ve included a small flyer from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to hang in your homes to help remind you of this.

We thank you in advance for your cooperation during this challenging situation.

Sincerely,

Tom Holt
President and CEO