I couldn't believe it when the nursing facility contacted us and of course, it was at the last possible minute.
As it stands, this facility often fails to take basic medical precautions such as HAND WASHING. I am terrified that this could mean the death of many patients including my father.
What can I do?
What has the facility told you about the additional procedures they will be implementing?
I think you will find - I'd be extremely surprised if you didn't - that PPE and infection control standards have been radically tightened up over the last two weeks. Even the most slatternly worker won't want to catch this virus, after all.
If you're still terrified, I'm afraid your only option would be to bring him to your home and adopt 'shielding' protocols. Can you?
The part that is making me angry is that I think this facility is lying... They call On Sunday afternoon to say they *will* be admitting patients in the coming week. In the middle of the night, they call to say my father has a fever. This afternoon, they tell my family that there is a patient there who tested positive.
Again all of this info within 24hrs??? I feel as though they have already admitted covid patients and they are covering their butts because current residents have been infected.
I will bet the NH will set designated beds in a wing to keep those patients as isolated as possible.
I'd be upset too, though. Hopefully, if the test comes back positive, Maggie917's father will be part of the group of patients that recover and develop immunity.
So now it's a waiting game. Our main problem is getting her to keep the nasal cannula in. We are taking round the clock shifts to watch her, and try to keep her hands occupied.
I know everyone is working to make this as safe as possible for everyone. My mother and MIL go absolutely NOWHERE and haven't for some weeks. Food is delivered to their homes and left on the porch, I guess. Still, they are both on def-con red as to anxiety. The virus is going to run its course and we are going to get through this. I am really sorry if you feel that your NH is not being honest--all you can do, short of pulling dad out of the NH is make sure he's as protected as he can be, and that protocols are being followed.
We need to strive to remain calm through this. I know I am doing OK through the day--but wake up during the night having horrible panic attacks that last for hours.
It certainly does NOT behoove the NH to just bring in sick patients and quarter them in with the "healthy" ones. That is a recipe for disaster.
Call your NH with your concerns and keep yourself healthy as you can.
Do not have a clue how that would be possible.
Will be looking into it.