Our mission at Villa is to make people better—our residents, their families, and our team members. To do this, all efforts must be rooted on our core values of integrity, transparency, honesty and respect— values embodied in the code of conduct that applies to all employees.
Based on the information provided by Eric Russell, we have initiated an independent investigation including suspending the facility Administrator.
Villa at Windsor Park is staffed by compassionate and dedicated team members who chose to devote their careers to providing care and support to the residents who honor us with their presence in each center. On March 14, 2020, the world as we know it changed with the increase of the presence of COVID-19 in the United States. With the support and consultation of Villa leadership, Villa at Windsor Park implemented additional measures with the sole intent to protect the residents and staff to the greatest extent possible from the impact of the Novel Coronavirus. On March 15, Windsor Park staff returned to work, and every day since then, they have spent their mornings, afternoons, and nights providing the best possible care to their residents, with the full knowledge that everyone in the center faces exposure to this virus.
In response to all media inquiries and the questions raised by Mr. Russell, we share the following facts:
COVID-19 Status in the Center- Residents. Today, April 11, 2020, there are no residents in the Villa at Windsor Park facility who have tested COVID-19 positive. There are currently four former residents in the hospital who are COVID-19 positive. Villa at Windsor Park is also waiting for the test results of four residents currently residing in the center.
On March 27, a resident was transferred from the center to a local hospital, and there the resident was tested. On March 28, Villa at Windsor Park was informed that the test result for this resident was positive. This was the first positive test result for any resident at Villa at Windsor Park. This resident passed away in the hospital, and to date, we have no confirmation regarding the cause of death or confirmation that the death was COVID-19 related. In an abundance of caution, the roommate of this resident was tested, and the test result was negative. All detail regarding this resident was reported to the local department of public health, and letters were sent to the family members of the residents to inform them of this development. On Sunday March 29, center staff was informed of this first positive test result.
On April 8, a resident who was in the hospital returned to Villa at Windsor Park, in accordance with discharge plans and direction from the Illinois Department of Public Health. This resident tested COVID-19 positive in the hospital, and the center was informed of this test result in advance of the resident’s return. Upon learning of the positive test and that the resident would be returning to the center, staff was informed so all direct care staff would be prepared to use the appropriate PPE for the care and treatment of this resident. Following the resident’s return to the center, the resident was placed on isolation and droplet precaution, so staff were required to wear additional PPE in providing care to this resident and to observe isolation and droplet precaution protocol consistent with guidance from the CDC. On April 10, this resident passed away in the center. Again, to date, we have no information regarding this resident’s cause of death or confirmation that it was COVID-19 related.
Residents in the center are monitored for any signs or symptoms of COVID-19. Vital signs are taken on each shift, and staff monitor residents for fever, cough, shortness of breath, or any significant change in condition. For any resident with a new onset of symptoms, fever or any potential signs of COVID-19 exposure, the resident would be masked. Droplet and contact precautions would be implemented until a testing is completed and a specific diagnosis is determined. Staff would conduct a complete physical exam of the resident, documenting vital signs and completing a respiratory assessment. Staff would also consult with the resident’s physician, implement any orders give-n by the physician, conduct diagnostic testing, and obtain a chest x-ray. Updates would be provided to the resident’s physician and representative, and staff would maintain contact and droplet precautions, as well as following all physician’s orders for care and treatment. In addition to physician support for each resident, the center has the support of two nurse practitioners, who routinely round to monitor residents.
COVID-19 Status in the Center- Staff. To date, we have confirmation that three staff members have tested COVID-19 positive. The first staff member last worked in the center on March 25, and this staff member did not receive a positive test result until March 31. The second staff member last worked in the center on March 27, and this staff member subsequently tested positive. The third staff member was last in the center on April 3, and this staff member received a positive test result on April 5. All three of these staff members remain out of the center.
We know that this virus does not differentiate by age, race, gender, zip code, or position. Because center staff can be impacted in the same manner as the residents we care for, staff is screened upon entry to the center. If staff is ill, they are directed to stay home for the protection of the residents and other staff in the center. If staff presents with a fever or any symptoms consistent with COVID-19, the staff member is sent home. Finally, staff is directed to self-monitor their condition during their shift. If a fever or signs of any illness develop, staff is directed to notify their supervisor and to leave the center. Since Friday April 3, all staff in the center has worn a mask at all times, in compliance with guidance from the CDC and subsequent consistent guidance from CMS.
PPE in the Center. To promote the protection of residents and staff, Villa at Windsor Park is sufficiently stocked with all required PPE, including gowns, shoe covers, masks (both surgical and N-95), head/hair covers, gloves and face shields. While supplies are monitored at all times, the surveillance around the adequate supply of PPE is heightened due to the pandemic, with facility leadership monitoring these items daily to ensure that they are appropriately stocked and available to staff. Currently, all staff in the center is wearing a mask, and where required based on resident status, full PPE is worn by direct care providers.
Infection Control in the Center. Infection control remains an area of focus in the center. Every day, staff utilizes infection prevention strategies to minimize the potential exposure of our residents and team members. These interventions include soap, hand sanitizer, and bleach wipes for all equipment and surfaces, especially high touch areas. Villa at Windsor Park also works closely with its housekeeping vendor to ensure that the facility is a clean and safe environment.
Additional Information. Villa prepared and published on social media and its website a FAQ document intended to provide information to residents, family members, staff, vendors and the public regarding the approached taken in each center, including Villa at Windsor Park, to COVID-19. The first FAQ was published on March 16. As additional information is provided by the CDC, CMS, state health departments and state Governor’s offices, the FAQ has been updated and republished. Please feel free to consult this document for information not covered herein. If any additional questions remain, please reach out to us at MediaRelations@villahc.com with your question and deadline so we can provide a timely response. Thank you!
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