COVID-19 Preparedness and Response Plan

Christian Health (CHCC) has implemented numerous precautionary measures and innovative initiatives in order to safeguard the at-risk population of people that we serve, as well as those who care for them. Our COVID-19 outbreak plan is implemented as needed and we have implemented all guidelines pertaining to COVID-19 as set forth by the New Jersey Department of Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and continue to work closely with local acute-care partners and health officials. Our efforts are outlined below for the many programs, services, and residences at CHCC.

COVID-19 Outbreak Plan

Center-wide Measures

• Signage on campus to alert staff of PPE requirements for patient/resident rooms, units, other areas.
• COVID-19 positive and PUI residents and patients cohorted.
• Activated CHCC’s Hospital Incident Command System (HICS) – a pre-established system – to begin daily meetings for CHCC departments to execute response and preparedness plan and address and meet state regulations promptly.
• Increased staff advisory to maintain social distancing, frequently disinfect phones, tablets, and other commonly used surfaces and objects, and increased frequent reminders to practice proper hand hygiene.
• Ongoing and reinforced staff training on proper PPE usage.
• Published a COVID-19-specific page with news and resources specific to employees on CHCC’s intranet that is updated daily.
• Established the Clinical Operations Review Team (CORT), which meets daily to bring together clinical leaders and administrators to address global policies and practices specific to the pandemic and to review and manage the cases of those individuals affected by the outbreak. CORT is in addition to already established processes for ongoing clinical oversight in all program areas.
• All CHCC employees (including non-clinical and contracted staff) must be screened every day upon arrival at the entry points into CHCC buildings for work. The screening includes a daily live temperature check and completion of a CHCC-specific screening form.
• Employees with symptoms or who have recently traveled to high-exposure areas or who been in contact with someone exhibiting symptoms instructed to contact his/her supervisor or Employee Health.
• HR guidelines established and disseminated for all CHCC staff to adhere to CDC guidelines on recommended days out/in isolation, and when staff can safely return to work.
• CHCC’s employee health nurses assist in recording and monitoring health status of employees.
• A special dedicated CHCC COVID-19 information line for external callers established at (201) 848-4400.
• Published a COVID-19 page on CHCC’s corporate website, christianhealthcare.org, to share news, resources, and program updates with the community. Page updated daily.
  • In order to adhere to social-distancing guidelines, closed resident dining rooms become available to staff during break and meal times with strategically placed tables/chairs to support social distancing and decrease volume in the Employee Café.
• CHCC chaplains on the Pastoral Care team are available weekdays for times of prayer with employees.
• In-person and telephonic mental-health counseling is available for all employees (in English and Spanish).

Facilities & Materials Management

• Upper campus roads and parking lots disinfected with a pump truck/sweeper that is spraying a cleaning solvent.
• Three multi-stage HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filter air scrubber units for use in general areas were purchased.
• Two HEPA filter air scrubber units were purchased and retro-fitted to add UV lighting, which is known for killing COVID.
• Materials Management and Facilities Management staff ongoing outreach to secure additional personal protective equipment (PPE), screening tools, and disinfectant cleaning supplies, hand sanitizers, hand soap, pre-moistened wipes, paper products, etc., in order to stockpile for healthy inventory. Supply management monitored and reported regularly.
• CHCC ongoing engagement and outreach with various organizations, business patners, and community connections to secure additional PPE for CHCC’s entire staff.

Environmental Services

• Amplified the frequency of sanitizing and disinfecting high-touch and common areas in public, patient care, and staff areas using various EPA-registered hospital-grade disinfectants.
• Increased regular daily sanitization of flooring (carpet, tile, wood) using EPA-registered and hospital-grade disinfectant.
• Reusable, washable isolation gowns deployed with 24-hour laundered turnaround time to relieve the strain on the supply-chain for disposable isolation gowns.
• Increased training for staff on cleaning procedures, as well as the supervision of these processes on the units.
• Increased supplies for staff in non-patient care areas to sanitize their own personal workspaces.

Heritage Manor Nursing Home/Southgate/The David F. Bolger Post-acute Care Unit

• Family members and sponsors received phone calls and a letter about CHCC’s preparedness plan and intent to restrict visitation.
• Heritage Manor East and West entrances were restricted to staff only.
• Visitor restriction initiated. Visitation only permissible for those visiting a loved one who is on end-of-life/hospice care, and screened upon arrival.
• A package drop-off center was established at CHCC’s Commons Main Entrance for families, with staff delivering packages to patients and residents.
• All communal dining and activities suspended.
• Modification to the Activities programming for patients and residents:
• CHCC’s Information Services team disseminated additional tablets campus-wide with instructions for FaceTime and Skype. Activities staff supports residents and families in using these new tools to virtually visit with each other.
• Staff delivers word searches, crossword puzzles, word games, adult coloring pages, colored pencils, and decks of cards.
• Staff leads in-room pottery projects and mini-craft projects.
• One-to-one visits incorporating music, reminiscing, and picture books are scheduled.
• Staff assists residents with writing cards to their families. A photo of the resident is included.
• Music is played in hallways on portable CD players and through monitors.
• Ongoing practice of regular communication with families/sponsors on individual resident’s health status and treatment plan.
• Residents and patients with COVID-19 or those exhibiting symptoms cohorted appropriately.
• Regular communication to patients, residents, families, sponsors, staff, and community members about COVID-19 preparedness through personal phone calls, written letters, email, internal and external websites, and a broadcast calling system.

Outpatient Short-term Rehab

• Program temporarily closed. No outpatients accepted until further notice.
• Regular communication to patients, staff, and community members about COVID-19 preparedness through personal phone calls, written letters, email, internal and external websites, and a broadcast calling system.

The Longview Assisted Living Residence

• Family members and sponsors of Longview residents receive calls with CHCC’s intent to restrict visitation to safeguard residents and staff.
• Visitation restricted initiated.
• Communal dining and activities suspended, and transitioned to in-room.
• Families can drop off packages at the main Longview entrance for staff to deliver.
• Activities and Pastoral Care are delivering activities packets regularly.
• Ongoing education on proper hand hygiene, and social distancing.
• Regular communication to residents, families, sponsors, staff, and community members about COVID-19 preparedness through personal phone calls, written letters, email, internal and external websites, and a broadcast calling system.

Hillcrest

• Family members and sponsors of Hillcrest residents receive calls regarding CHCC’s intent to restrict visitation to safeguard residents and staff.
• Visitation restriction initiated.
• Families can drop off packages for residents at Hillcrest main entrance for staff to deliver.
• Communal dining and activities suspended; in-room dining and other in-room activities in place.
• Residents strongly encouraged to stay in their suites, and limit non-essential external visits and activities.
• Ongoing education on proper hand hygiene, and social distancing.
• Regular communication to residents, families, sponsors, staff, and community members about COVID-19 preparedness through personal phone calls, written letters, email, internal and external websites, and a broadcast calling system.

Christian Health Care Woodhaven of Wayne and Wyckoff

• Programs temporarily closed.
• Regular communication to patients, staff, and community members about COVID-19 preparedness through personal phone calls, email, internal and external websites, and a broadcast calling system.

Evergreen Court

• Non-essential direct visitation with residents strongly discouraged.
• Social events suspended.
• Established regular resident education on maintaining social distancing, and proper hand hygiene. Advised residents to postpone nonessential doctor visits, including annual physicals.
• CHCC’s Dining and Nutrition Services is allowing additional residents to participate in Meals on Wheels.
• Ongoing education on proper hand hygiene, and social distancing.
• Regular communication to residents, staff, and community members about COVID-19 preparedness through personal phone calls, email, internal and external websites, and a broadcast calling system.

Siena Village and Summer Hill of Wayne (CHCC’s independent living communities in Wayne)

• Non-essential direct visitation with residents strongly discouraged.
• Individuals providing services for residents, such as delivering groceries or laundry, should not do so if he/she is experiencing symptoms, have had contact with persons who have COVID-19 symptoms, or if he/she has recently traveled to high-exposure areas.
• Ongoing resident education on maintaining social distancing and proper hand hygiene.
• Residents advised to postpone nonessential doctor visits, including annual physicals.
• Regular communication to residents, staff, and community members about COVID-19 preparedness through personal phone calls, email, internal and external websites, and a broadcast calling system.

LiveWell Counseling

In-person appointments temporarily suspended; counseling transitioned to telehealth.

Ramapo Ridge Partial-hospitalization Program

• In-person appointments temporarily suspended; program transitioned to telehealth.

Ramapo Ridge Behavioral Health

• Visitation Restricted.
• Regular communication to patients, staff, and community members about COVID-19 preparedness through personal phone calls, email, internal and external websites, and a broadcast calling system.