Respiratory Illness / Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information Center - 2024

COVID19
LISVH COVID-19 Alert: 11/20/2024 10:00 AM

This alert is to inform all Visitors, Employees, Volunteers and Residents that we have received notification of 0 residents and 0 new employees/volunteers testing positive for COVID-19.

 

Due to infection prevention protocols, the facility has placed the following units on COVID-19 Exposure Precautions:

  • None

Due to infection prevention protocols, the facility has placed the following units on Respiratory Illness Precautions due to the presence or potential presence of Influenza or RSV:

  • None

Visitation on COVID-19 Exposure / Respiratory Precaution Units is allowed but highly discouraged until the end of the exposure precaution period.

Due to the presence of a respiratory illness on the units listed on exposure precautions, education on the appropriate use of personal protective equipment as well as the core principles of infection control will be provided to all visitors.

Please be advised: An AMG Message Alert will be sent via phone, text, or email to families, designated representatives, staff and residents when a new COVID positive resident or employee is detected, when a respiratory illness cluster is detected or when a unit is placed on infection prevention protocols.

For additional information, please refer to the CMS Required Daily COVID-19 Notifications posted on the webpage below.

Influenza Update - October 23, 2024

The presence of Influenza has been detected in the facility. The Long Island State Veterans Home is following current CDC Guidance for Influenza Outbreak Management in Long Term Care Facilities.

Preventing transmission of influenza viruses and other infectious agents within healthcare settings, requires a multi-faceted approach that includes the following:

1. Influenza Vaccination

2. Influenza Testing

3. Infection Prevention and Control Measures

4. Antiviral Treatment 

5. Antiviral Chemoprophylaxis

Daily active surveillance for acute respiratory illness is underway for all residents, healthcare personnel and visitors to the facility.

Visiting is highly discouraged at this time. If you are sick, please do not visit!

Due to the identification of the presence of influenza in the facility, all residents will receive antiviral chemoprophylaxis (Tamiflu) as per CDC recommended guidance.

Influenza Antiviral Drug Fact Sheet

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the unit nurse or physician. Thank you for your cooperation.

Masking Requirement Update 

Based on the current levels of respiratory illness in the in the community and the Long Island State Veterans Home, we have made a determination that face masks will be not be required for all employees, students and volunteers while in the facility to prevent transmission and ensure a healthy workforce. During the NYSDOH determined influenza surveillance season, any employee who has not received the influenza vaccine for 2024-2025, will be required to wear a face mask.,

In accordance with the recent New York State Department of Health Advisory, our facility strongly recommends that all visitors wear a face mask while in the facility. Appropriate signage will be posted when there is the presence of a respiratory illness and masks will be required.

Please be aware that the prevalence of respiratory illness within the nursing home can change. In accordance with regulatory guidelines; when the presence of a respiratory illness outbreak is identified within the LISVH, or when the confirmed exposure of a resident or employee occurs, all visitors will be required to wear well-fitting masks covering the nose and mouth when visiting those identified units on respiratory illness outbreak precautions at the Long Island State Veterans Home.

All visitors will be notified of the presence of a respiratory illness upon entering the building. In addition, education on the appropriate use of personal protective equipment as well as the core principles of infection control will be provided.

Thank you for your support.

Reference Information:

New York State Department of Health Masking Guidelines for Healthcare Facilities 1-8-2024

New York State Department of Health Masking Guidelines for Healthcare Facilities 2-12-2023.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) - Interim Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Healthcare Personnel During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic

Nursing Home Visitation Update - May 22, 2023

The New York State Department of Health has issued an update related to Nursing Home Visitor Testing and Screening for COVID-19.

A copy of the New York State Department of Health Advisory is available here for viewing.

The recent New York State guidance aligns with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Nursing Home Visitation Guidance. While testing is not required, the guidance allows for nursing homes to continue visitor testing and active screening at their discretion.

We have carefully evaluated our policies, along with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and New York State Department of Health guidelines to ensure that the Long Island State Veterans Home continues to provide the safest environment for our residents, employees, families, volunteers and visitors while following the core principles of infection prevention.

Based upon the current COVID-19 hospital admissions levels, we have made the determination that there will be no visitor testing requirements at this time. 

Although COVID-19 testing is no longer required, we do ask that you continue to adhere to the core principles of infection prevention, including:

  • If you are sick, please do not visit. Please consider deferring non-urgent, in-person visits if you have a positive test for COVID-19, are experiencing symptoms of the virus or have had close contact with someone who has tested positive;
  • Following hand hygiene protocols, which includes using alcohol-based hand sanitizer if hands are not visibly soiled or washing with soap and water;
  • Maintaining physical distance where practical;
  • Test kits will continue to be available for visitors who would like to test prior to visiting their loved one;
  • We encourage all visitors to be vaccinated, and boosted when eligible, to reduce the risk of contracting and spreading COVID-19, as well as to reduce the severity of illness if infection occurs.

Visiting Information:

  1. Visitors are still required to be actively screened at the information desk. Visitors will have their temperature taken and a healthcare screening questionnaire will be completed.
  2. After screening, all visitors should report directly to the resident room or designated visiting location. It is recommended that your visit is conducted in these designated spaces.
  3. Due to social distancing requirements (physical distancing of at least six feet), no more than two visitors per resident are allowed for an in-room visit.
    • If a resident or a visitor requests additional individuals to be present, facility staff will offer alternative visiting space, if available.
  4. Weather permitting, outdoor visitation is encouraged.
  5. Outdoor visitation will take place in the front of the building and pond area.
    • Seating is on a first come, first serve basis.
    • All visitors should physically distance (maintain separation of at least six feet) from other residents and other visitors.
    • Outdoor visitation for COVID Exposed Units will take place in the courtyard.
  6. Please remember to notify a member of the nursing staff if you are taking a resident off the unit for an outdoor visit.

Due to space limitation in our multi-purpose room and physical distancing requirements, visitors may be restricted from attending some indoor therapeutic recreation activities.

 

If you have any questions, please contact the Administration Office at 631-444-8606 or the Social Work Department at 631-444-8545.

CMS Guidance QSO-20-29-NH - Daily COVID-19 Information Notification to Family, Health Care Proxy, & Next of Kin