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Year: 2020
CEO Update on the R.K. as of March 16, 2020
March 16, 2020 6:00 pm
Good Evening Everyone:
The facility continues to work through the information shared from Department of Health and Wellness (DHW) as well as finalizing many parts of our pandemic plan.
Updates:
Phone System– As you know, our phone system unexpectedly collapsed. When we ordered replacement equipment, we realized we had a much bigger system issue. New equipment was ordered and is currently being programmed. We have indicated to the provider that we need that equipment on site and functional as soon as possible. We do not expect the technicians on site until the week of march 23, 2020(subject to change). We understand the difficulty this presents especially now that all visitation to RK MacDonald has been restricted.
CareQ: As you know we have purchased a rapid notification system. The information for residents has been collected and we expect the system to be up and running by end of day Wednesday. This will allow us to notify families more efficiently of changes and where to find updates.
Communicating with your loved one: We had a staff and resident meeting today televised on channel 1885 today. This provides an opportunity for us to reach out to residents in their rooms as well as residents and staff in common areas. We reviewed the current guidelines regarding COVID-19 and the reasons for the visitor restrictions. We were able to discuss some of the interim planning we have in place and the activities we are undertaking to prepare. We have purchased iPads for each of the care areas to facilitate video conferencing with residents. We are working through the IT pieces and hope to have more information on Tuesday.
Pandemic Planning: RK MacDonald has had a generalized pandemic plan for a number of years; it is a requirement of the LTC Licensing Requirements. We are currently In the process of overlaying the information specific to this virus to the pandemic plan. We received Long Term Care (LTC) Infection Control Guidelines today from DHW. We are doing one on one education with staff regarding infection control measures and staff are also watching educational/instructional videos to ensure everyone is updated on best practice. The staff at RK MacDonald have had this education many times before. This situation is reason for us to do a full staff refresher in advance of any cases of COVID-19 in the facility. We will continue to update the plan and processes as well as prepare for unforeseen circumstance to the very best of our ability. We have an experienced and dedicated staff here and I feel confident in our ability to make sound, practical decisions as scenarios arise. Department of health and Wellness and the Nova Scotia Health Authority are providing excellent and timely information to us. We feel connected to these partners and we are doing our very best to get the information they send out to all of you.
Michelle Thompson
CEO R.K. MacDonald Nursing Home
64 Pleasant St, Antigonish, NS
B2G 1W7
Phone: 902-863-2578 ext 232
Email: mthompson@rkmacdonald.ca
Fax: 902-863-4437
Closed to ALL Visitors
HEALTH/WELLNESS–First Presumptive Cases of COVID-19 in Nova Scotia; New Prevention Measures
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Nova Scotia announced the province’s first three presumptive cases of novel coronavirus (COVID-19), today, March 15. The province is also taking further measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
The cases are not connected and are travel related. The individuals followed all the proper procedures when they started to feel unwell.
“My thoughts are with the individuals affected and I wish them a speedy and thorough recovery. Now, more than ever, all Nova Scotians must follow public health direction – that’s how we will reduce the spread of this virus in our province,” said Premier Stephen McNeil. “We need to work together to protect our most vulnerable.”
Two individuals are in the Halifax Regional Municipality and one is in Kings County. All three are managing their symptoms at home in self-isolation. Details include:
- a female in her 60’s, who returned to Halifax from Australia on March 8.
- a male in his late 50’s, who recently attended a conference in California and returned to Halifax on March 13.
- a male in his 30’s, who returned to Halifax on March 10 following travel throughout Europe.
Public health has been in contact with these individuals and those who have come in close contact with them are also being directed to self-isolate at home, away from the public, for 14 days.
Additional prevention measures for Nova Scotians are in effect immediately under the authority of the Health Protection Act and include:
- long-term care facilities closed to visitors effectively immediately
- public schools closed for two weeks following March Break (weeks of March 23 and March 30) and then will be reassessed
- regulated child care centres closed March 17 to April 3 and then will be reassessed
- March break camps cancelled
- casinos in Halifax and Sydney are closed as of 12 am March 16 and bar owners can no longer operating VLT
- anyone who travelled outside of Canada must self-isolate even if symptom-free
- organizations and businesses must practise social distancing of two metres or six feet and keep gatherings below 150 or much smaller if possible. This applies to restaurants, bars, movie theatres and other gathering spots
Starting Monday, March 16, public health inspectors will be onsite at the Halifax International Airport and the J.A. Douglas McCurdy Sydney Airport. Work is ongoing with federal partners responsible for border security to strengthen the screening process. As well, both airports now have information on digital screens in all areas frequented by travellers.
Nova Scotians can find accurate, up-to-date information, handwashing posters and fact sheets at https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus .
Quick Facts:
- as of March 15, Nova Scotia has completed 418 tests for COVID-19, with 415 negative results and 3 presumptive positive cases. Testing numbers are updated daily at https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus
- the Government of Canada has issued a travel advisory asking Canadians to avoid non-essential travel outside Canada until further notice.
- anyone who has travelled outside of Canada or has been in close contact with someone who has and are experiencing fever (above 38C) or cough should complete the online questionnaire to see whether you need to call 811. The online questionnaire can be found at: 811.novascotia.ca
- Nova Scotia’s Health Protection Act gives the chief medical officer of health the authority to give advice to protect public health and decrease risk to public health presented by communicable diseases such as COVID-19 –the public school system will be investigating virtual schools focused on essential curriculum to ensure Grade 12 students can graduate
Additional Resources:
The Public Health Agency of Canada maintains a list of affected areas: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/health-professionals/covid-19-affected-areas-list.html
Government of Canada: https://canada.ca/coronavirus
Government of Canada toll-free information line 1-833-784-4397 Nova Scotia Public Health offices: http://www.nshealth.ca/public-health-offices
Stomach Flu Outbreak
- We are closed due to a stomach flu out break Visitation is restricted to Immediate Family only.
- No children under 12 should enter the facility as per Public Health instruction.
- Please reschedule non essential visits.
Phone Outage
The facility is experiencing difficulties with a portion of both the resident and business phones and faxes. This is related to equipment issues and we have been working towards a solution for a couple of days. Replacement equipment has been ordered.
All staff currently have to access their email accounts and can be reached through out Staff Directory.
All faxes should be faxed to 902-863-4437 until the situation is corrected
Week Days
From Monday to Friday, between 8AM and 4PM, please call 902-863-2578 ext 233 if you are having any difficulty reaching a care area or your loved one.
Weekend Days
From Saturday to Sunday, between 6AM until 4PM, if you are unable to reach your family member, please call 902-863-2578 ext 233 and someone will be able to take your message and ensure either your family member or staff member gets in touch with you.
After Hours (All Week)
Between 4PM until 6AM, every day of the week please call:
- Martha’s Inn at 902-870-4019
- Thistledown/Cobblestone at 902-338-0010
- MapleRidge/Brambleberry at 902-870-1238
- Tanglewood at 902-870-5024
Thank you for your patience with this ongoing issue.
Family Caregiver Education Series: Alzheimer’s
Are you providing care and support to a family member or friend who has recently been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia?
If so, the Family Caregiver Education Series may be for you.
When: Six thursday afternoons (130PM – 330PM)
Date: April 16, 23, 30 and May 7, 14, 21, 2020
Where: Antigonish Public Library, 283 Main St, Antigonish
To Register: Call Dominic at 902-867-7683 or by email at dominic.boyd@asns.ca
There is no fee but registration is required.
Phone Issues
We are currently experiencing technical issues with our external phone lines. Thank you for your patience while we have this issue resolved.
Palliative Care Front-Line Education Course by NSCC
NSCC is offering a Palliative Care Front-Line Education Course
Where: RK MacDonald Nursing Home, Second Floor Board Room, Antigonish
When: March 3rd to April 2nd
Tuesday & Thursday from 6PM to 8:30PM
Cost: $175.00 (Includes textbooks)
Contact: Business Office to register – Call 902-752-2002
Generator Transfer Switch replacement completed
February 6, 2020
Effective today, the replacement of the generator transfer switch is completed.
This means that in the event of a power outage, the generator will engage automatically, as it did in the past, and there will be no significant period without power or any need for a manual generator start up.
Thanks to the Maintenance Department for managing this project so efficiently, to the staff working through the planned power outages and to residents and visitors for their patience as we addressed the issue.
It should be “business as usual” moving forward!
Thanks again Everyone