VALLEY CITY, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – The following is a news release by Craig Christensen the CEO of the Sheyenne Care Center in Valley City.
“It is with excitement we are announcing changes to our visitation and resident outing policies. Over the past several months, the Sheyenne Care Center has educated its residents and staff on the effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccine. Residents have voluntarily agreed to receive the vaccine. As of today, 93% have been vaccinated so we are now able to offer in room visitation, for fully vaccinated residents, in addition to all other types of visitation we have had in place over the last year. As of today, April 1st, 2021, you may begin scheduling in room visitation appointments with the social workers. Please schedule 24 hours in advance whenever possible.
The ND Health Department VP3 members constantly remind us that if families do not follow visitation guidelines, visitations will be restricted. According to CMS guidelines, an outbreak occurs when one resident or one staff member is infected with the COVID-19. Please understand and follow the updates to CMS and CDC visitation requirements. If a resident or staff tests COVID-19 positive, visitation will be restricted for 14 days in only the area where the positive COVID-19 test occurred.
Resident in-room visitation: will be opened for those residents who have been fully COVID-19 vaccinated for more than two weeks. If visitors have been vaccinated, we would appreciate seeing the vaccine card upon entrance to Sheyenne Care Center. We must continue to track visitors, so each area has been assigned a maximum number of families allowed in at a time. Each visitor will need to be screened and sign in at the front entrance prior to going to a resident room and sign out following the visit. In-room visitations will only occur when Sheyenne Care Center is free from COVID-19 in both residents and staff.
• Union Square 3 families – Maximum 2 visitors at the same time.
• Hi Line Square 3 families – Maximum 2 visitors at the same time.
• Sycamore (SCU) 3 families – Maximum 2 visitors at the same time.
• Cottage 2 families – Maximum 2 visitors at the same time.
• Prairie Rose (2nd Floor) 4 families – Maximum 2 visitors at the same time.
• Valley View (3rd Floor) 4 families – Maximum 2 visitors at the same time.
Scheduled in-room visitations hours: 9:30am to 11:30 am from 1:00pm to 5:00 pm and from 6:00pm to 9:00 pm, 7 days a week. Please contact Social Services 24 hours in advance, for in-room visitation appointments. Due to the limited number of visitors per area, we ask that in-room visitations are kept to 1 hour.
Library visitations: will be available to families for residents who have not been fully vaccinated.
Two (2) people may visit at a time in the Library with the resident. Visitation hours are: 10:00am to 9:00 pm, 7 days a week.
There is not an age limit for visitors, however, all visitors will need to wear clean, cloth face covering or clean surgical face mask during visitation. Library and outside visitors will need maintain social distancing. All visitors are reminded to perform appropriate hand hygiene frequently. Your efforts in helping Sheyenne Care Center remain free of COVID-19 is greatly appreciated.
Safe Outing Guidelines:
Resident outings will be allowed and must be scheduled with social services in advance when possible. This ensures any cares or medications needed prior to the visit can be completed before the outing. The individual picking up the resident will be screened at the front door, complete the outing agreement and sign out the resident. Upon return, the agreement will be reviewed and the individual will sign the resident back in.
Vaccinated Residents
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released recommendations for fully vaccinated individuals to safely visit. Individuals are considered fully vaccinated, for COVID-19, 2 weeks after receiving their final dose. These recommendations apply to offsite resident outings.
• Take precautions while in public by wearing a mask and maintaining a distance of 6ft or greater from others.
• Avoid gatherings of approximately 10 people or more people.
• Wash hands with soap and water or use hand sanitizer frequently throughout resident outing.
Fully vaccinated residents will not be required to quarantine for 14 days upon return from an outing, unless the resident had prolonged close contact (within 6 feet for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period) with an individual with COVID-19.
None vaccinated Residents:
None vaccinated residents continue to be at risk of becoming infected with and/or transmitting COVID-19. Individuals participating in an offsite resident outing must follow these recommendations.
• The resident must wear a mask at all times when within 6 feet of others.
• Any individual within 6 feet of the resident must wear a mask.
• If unable to mask (such as when eating a meal), all individuals must maintain at least a distance of 6ft.
Any resident, or individual responsible for the outing, unable to maintain these guidelines must notify the charge nurse or designee upon return to the building. The resident may be placed in quarantine for 14 days to protect the health of others.
If you have any questions, please contact us at any time for information.”
Craig Christianson, CEO of the Sheyenne Care Center.