LANSING (AP) — Michigan should modify a system in which nursing home residents infected with the coronavirus can be treated and isolated in those facilities and take steps to improve life for all long-term care residents amid the pandemic, a task force urged Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in a report released Tuesday.
The 20-member group was created by the governor to prepare for a potential second surge of COVID-19 after deaths and cases spiked in the spring. Nursing home residents account for 2,088, or 31 percent, of the state's 6,767 confirmed or probable deaths related to the virus.
Of the 28 recommendations, nearly half involve ways to better the quality of life inside 442 homes that have had to stop communal dining and restrict visits and other activities during the outbreak.
To reduce the effects of isolation, the panel urged allowing outdoor and window visits, limited communal dining and optional “pod”-like arrangements in which residents could spend time together in small groups.
Other recommendations include prioritizing nursing homes for personal protective equipment and testing supplies, lessening data-reporting requirements and designating labs that give priority to specimens from the homes.
The task force said homes continue to face challenges finding qualified staff, especially in the pandemic.
It recommended improving a state licensing website for people interested in becoming nursing assistants and making public service announcements about the shortage.
The group split on one recommendation, which involves the controversial issue of placing recovering individuals with COVID-19 in nursing homes. Whitmer, who has faced criticism for the policy, has let infected residents who are medically stable return to their facility if it has a dedicated coronavirus unit or go to a designated “hub” home — both of which have uninfected residents.
The panel said hospitals should, “whenever possible,” not discharge patients with the COVID-19 virus to their nursing home if they have less than 72 hours in their overall isolation period.
If that is not an option, then the hub program should be changed to ensure consideration is given to a home's quality and inspection history before it becomes a “care and recovery center” with a wing, unit or building to care for infected residents.
––––––––––––––––––––
Subscribe to the Legal News!
http://legalnews.com/subscriptions
Full access to public notices, articles, columns, archives, statistics, calendar and more
Day Pass Only $4.95!
One-County $80/year
Three-County & Full Pass also available
––––––––––––––––––––
Subscribe to the Legal News!
http://legalnews.com/Home/Subscription
Full access to public notices, articles, columns, archives, statistics, calendar and more
Day Pass Only $4.95!
One-County $80/year
Three-County & Full Pass also available
