The staff at the Montgomery County Nursing Home and Rehab and the Assisted Living has announced that they are limiting visits to only essential visits to limit possible exposure to COVID-19. The first presumptive case in the state of Arkansas was announced Wednesday, March 11.
The Arkansas Department of Health has mandated that visits be limited in all longterm care facilities in an attempt to protect residents who are among the most vulnerable to the disease. Nursing Home Administrator Tommy Johnston announced that while there are currently no cases of the virus in the nursing home, or assisted living facilities, the new policy will help prevent residents from being exposed.
Johnstonand his staff implemented a new screening process as part of the new state mandated visitation policy at his facility earlier in the week. The screening process is part of the mandated steps put in place by The Arkansas Department of Health for all visitors and staff.
The screening process will include questions about international travel within the last 14 days to countries with sustained transmission of COVID-19, and contact with someone known to be infected with or under investigation for COVID-19. They must also screen for signs or symptoms of respiratory infection, such as cough, sore throat, and/or fever.
Director Johnston shared that all family members of residents have been sent a letter detailing the new visitation policy and phone calls are also being made to make sure they understand the new visitation policy.
Wednesday, March 12, a revision was made to the policy after the announcement of the state’s first presumptive case of COVID-19 which was reported in Pine Bluff. Johnston has announced that no non-essential visits will be allowed at the nursing home. A letter circulated by the nursing home states that visits are limited to immediate family or friends who need to visit for time sensitive reasons. Reasons can include hospice related visits, to complete medical authorizations, or other time sensitive issues. Social visits are not allowed. Visitors are also asked to limit movement within the facility.
Visitation will be from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The chrome button which normally allows access has been disabled. Access will only be allowed by entering a code in the keypad. All visitors must check with either the front office, or a nurse prior to visiting the facility.
While this may be cause for some inconvenience it is a state department of health mandate and is in place to protect those most vulnerable to infection.
For more information please contact the Montgomery County Nursing Home and Rehab office at (870) 867-2156.
