Regional hospitals support long-term care homes

This message is on behalf of hospitals in the Champlain region.

Champlain Region, May 15, 2020 – Health-care teams in the Champlain region have successfully tested residents in all 60 local long-term care homes ahead of the provincial government’s May 15 deadline.

Over the last three weeks more than 7,000 residents and 8,000 staff have been tested by teams comprised of hospital staff, public health, and paramedics.

Long-term care homes are the frontline of Ontario’s fight against COVID-19, and health-care organizations from across the region have come forward to support this vulnerable population.

“Staff are so helpful and grateful that we’re there,” said hospital Respiratory Therapist Rena Fulton, who volunteered to work on the testing teams. “Every time, they’re always appreciative. We feel like we’re making a difference in the fight against COVID.”

For homes like Extendicare Starwood Manor, the support has led to a significant reduction in stress for staff said Sue MacGregor, Starwood’s administrator:

“We had been successful in preventing the spread of COVID-19 to the residents. However, it was at significant personal cost to our staff,” she said. “The idea that someone who doesn’t even know us would come to help is huge for our staff. They’re tired, they’ve been working so hard. This lets them take time to recover and they come back invigorated because they feel less alone.”

Staff members from hospitals in the Champlain region have volunteered for thousands of shifts in long-term care homes, aiming to increase staffing levels beyond normal baseline needs to allow for enhanced infection prevention and control practices.

“Hospital staff are here working shoulder to shoulder with our personal support workers,” said MacGregor. “They come in ready to help and ready to work. They’ve been very respectful of our staff. We’re so appreciative!”

Support to long-term care and retirement homes has also included advice and training on how to improve infection prevention and control practices, as well as access to a regional supply of personal protective equipment to ensure that all health-care workers in the region can work safely. Environmental services workers have been contracted to thoroughly clean and disinfect high-risk homes.

The hospitals’ COVID-19 response has been designed to be dynamic and flexible to meet the health-care needs of our community and will continue to evolve in the coming weeks and months.

Please see Ottawa Public health’s website for the latest information on COVID-19, including criteria for testing.

The following hospitals are involved in the regional COVID-19 response: