Appling Nursing Home Administrator Confirms New Positive COVID-19 Cases

06/29/2020

As a result of routine weekly COVID-19 testing, the Appling Nursing and Rehabilitation Pavilion reports five new cases of coronavirus among residents. These residents were and still are asymptomatic (not showing any symptoms of the virus), and tested positive during their weekly test. These residents who tested positive were immediately moved to strict isolation with staff specifically assigned to their care.

No additional cases are pending among residents, and the hospital system also reports no additional COVID-19 related deaths.

The nursing home has also confirmed that two employees have tested positive for the coronavirus, with no additional cases pending. These employees are also asymptomatic and tested positive during routine weekly testing. For the protection of all individuals in the facility, the affected employees have been sent home on strict isolation as recommended by the CDC.

All employees at the facility are continuing to be screened for respiratory illnesses and temperatures twice a day; at the beginning of their shift and in the middle of their shift. Residents are continuing to be screened three times a day. Environmental Services is continuing to clean all high-touch surfaces three times a day.

Additionally, in the nursing home’s June 25, 2020, Infection Control Survey (a survey of nursing homes mandated by the Center of Medicare and Medicaid Services), the facility had no deficiencies.

As a reminder, the following measures continue to be in place:

All patient visits to Appling Healthcare’s main hospital are suspended except one parent or caregiver for patients under the age of 18.
All staff within the main hospital, nursing home, and physician clinics are being screened daily.
All patients must have an order from a physician or provider for all outpatient services, unless seeking emergency care.
Appling Healthcare’s physician clinics are requiring all patients to call prior to their visits, as they currently are not accepting any walk-ins. Patients under the age of 18 must be accompanied by one adult only.
In effort to allow for early detection of illness, the nursing home is performing daily routine respiratory and temperature screenings on residents and employees.
Residents are continuously being updated with news and any changes, individually or in small group town hall meetings.
All patients should use the Outpatient/Emergency Entrance and as you enter the hospital you will be screened. This brief process consists of a quick screening for possible coronavirus symptoms along with questions about their recent travel history and any interactions with individuals diagnosed with COVID-19.
No visitors are allowed in the Emergency Room, hospital, or nursing home.

After learning of the residents’ and employees’ positive results, the facility immediately notified local and state public health officials. Nursing home residents and employees who previously tested negative for COVID-19 will continue to be tested on a weekly basis and upon onset of symptoms. As previously stated, decisions about testing for COVID-19 in outbreak settings are made in consultation with the Georgia Department of Public Health. Appling Healthcare continues to work closely with public health officials, communicating with the DPH on a daily basis.

These decisions are based on Appling Healthcare’s focus on the safety and well-being of patients, staff and community, as the coronavirus is rapidly spreading. All restrictions and procedural changes are temporary, but may change as Appling Healthcare continues to monitor the coronavirus. Updates will be provided as soon as they become available.

Hospital officials continue to ask that patients contact their primary care physician or the State of Georgia COVID-19 Hotline at (844)442-2681 if they feel sick or are experiencing any of the following symptoms: fever, cough, or shortness of breath. However, if you are experiencing an emergency medical condition of any kind, you should still go to the emergency room as soon as possible or call 911.

If you have questions or concerns, feel free to message us on Facebook. Your message will be immediately routed to the nursing home administrator. Another option is to send an email to covid19@appling-hospital.org. Your email will automatically go to all of the nursing home administration team as well as hospital staff, so you should receive a response fairly soon.

If you do prefer to call the nursing home, please understand that employees are focusing on hands-on patient care. You should, however, receive a call back within 24 hours. Call the main Pavilion phone number, (912)367-9841, and then reach the administration team through their direct extensions:

Kim Jowers, Nursing Home Administrator, ext. 2402
Melina Edmund, Director of Nursing, ext. 2410
Candi Lewis, Certified Resident Assessment Coordinator, ext. 1223
Tina Clements, Infection Preventionist/Quality Assessment Director, ext. 2405