We just got the weirdest phone call from my in-law's skilled nursing facility. The caller said, “ hello this is Rosie from B..... Healthcare , I’m calling to inform you that something happened here but we can’t say what. I’m required to inform all the patient’s families”. That was it. She couldn’t say anything further about the matter. What could this possibly be?
We have to notify you that something has happened, but we can't tell you what. WHAT?
Doesn't cover their responsibility to notify families of any incident, in my opinion they are creating concerns unnecessarily.
I would be upset if I were you too. I would also find it strange.
I would consider your experience to be totally unacceptable. Do you have a sense of chain of command in respect to who’s really in charge of contacts? I’d start making calm but insistent calls until I got satisfaction.
I’d also be in touch with the board of health in the community. In my state Covid statistics are mandated as public record.
Whatever else it is, this is... UNSPEAKABLY ridiculous.
We're required by law to inform families of (suitable generic term, say...) untoward incidents.
We're required by law not to breach confidentiality.
Policy is not to foment public unrest and alarm.
So the result is they call all of their residents' families and say, in effect "we know something you don't know!"
I would like a single individual in the entire world to stand up and say they think this is an acceptable outcome.
It's RIDICULOUS.
Write a formal complaint to B_ Healthcare.
If you have know of a public health authority covering the facility's locality, see if there's any guidance or information on their website or a public information line to call.
Are you able to speak to your in-laws, meanwhile?
I'd love to know what responses she got from all the different families. The poor girl's ear must have been falling off by the time she'd worked her way down the list.
I doubt if this is Covid related. If it is it is really strange. None of it makes sense.
It’s a mystery. That’s all anyone knows. Nothing was said. Your guess is as good as mine. I don’t even have a guess!
Who would believe they would have done that? Goes to show you how foolish people can behave when they are fearful.
It’s crazy to handle it like it was. What a shame. So glad that you followed through. Good job getting to the bottom of it!
Symptoms vary from person to person. Everyone has to wear protection around someone infected or not infected.
In our area protection is required. Masks must be worn.
I thought I responded to this post. I did see the reply it was COVID. But I do feel it was handled wrong and may complain to the Health Dept.
The caller could have said that a staff member contracted the virus and that person has been sent home and precautions have been taken. HIPPA just won't allow the person's name to be mentioned. In our County a daily report goes out. How many new cases. If its male, female, or juvenile. If over 18, it will say in their 20s, 30s, 90s, and what Township they are from.
Lea, Covid cases didn’t seem to be secretive in the facility by you. It’s not secretive by us either. It’s news that is required to be reported. Names don’t have to be mentioned to report it.
Covid19 mandatory reporting and testing parameters recently changed, Newer federal rules and regs require nursing homes to inform residents, their families and representatives of COVID-19 cases in their facilities.
BUT that vaguely didn't happen, maybe check your emai for clarification? Skilled Nursing Facilities are reporting numbers to the CDC and their states.
It’s a shame.
Call the County re (potential) elder abuse and ask them out to deal with it.
Call the administrator.
Write a letter to the County (of Marin) and cc the nursing facility administrator (put her on notice).
This is unacceptable - why are they calling you if they are not saying anything? They are creating a RED FLAG.