Below please find a Campus Update for Wesley Doylestown.
Skilled Nursing
Although we are continuing with our outbreak protocols, I am happy to share that all COVID-19 testing conducted this week was negative. On Wednesday January 20th a total of 42 residents received their booster vaccine and 3 residents received their 1st vaccine. The booster will be administered on or about February 10th. Most residents had mild side effects such as low grade fever and lethargy that resolved after Tylenol and bed rest. One resident was hospitalized for fever and chills. We will continue testing our staff 2x per week through next week per outbreak protocol and our residents will be tested through Friday January 29th. We will not have the results of that test back until Monday February 1st so we are planning quarantine through that time. This is a slight change from my previous correspondence, which indicated Thursday January 28th as the end date.
Personal Care
We surprised some residents in Personal Care on Wednesday afternoon when we asked them to come down to begin their vaccination process. We were able to give 23 residents their first shot. They will receive their booster on or about February 10th. A small handful of residents experienced mild side effects including lethargy. The remaining residents in Personal Care will receive their 1st vaccine during the January 30th clinic, 11am to 5pm. There are currently no cases of COVID-19 in Personal Care.
Independent Living
I know the vaccine is top of mind for residents in Independent Living. I have received calls and emails from many residents and families asking why WEL Doylestown has not provided vaccination information for this group. Please know that residents in Independent Living are not specified in the Governor’s Plan; only the skilled and personal care licensed beds are specified along with our staff. WEL Doylestown does not have access to vaccine nor are we able to administer the vaccine, other than through our partner, CVS. It is unclear how much vaccine will arrive on site, until they are actually here and unpacking. Furthermore, if the last vaccine draw out of the vial is low, they do not use that dose. So the amount varies as the clinic progresses.
That being said, if there is availability of the vaccine after all Personal Care residents and staff have received it on January 30, any remaining will be offered to our residents in Independent Living on January 31st. In an effort to prepare for this, you must have your most updated health insurance card on hand. You will need to bring it to receive the vaccine. CVS will run your insurance on site prior to your vaccination. This is in no way a guarantee that we will be able to provide the vaccine nor do we have any way to know if there will be an excess, or how much of an excess. It also means that we may not be able to vaccinate all residents residing in Independent Living. Please also check with your family physician and visit the Bucks County Department of Health Pre-registration site. Pre-registration means that the Bucks County Department of Health will contact you when you can register to receive the vaccine through the county. This is an option if you are unable to receive it at WEL Doylestown. The link is as follows: https://buckscovid.powerappsportals.us/Vaccine-Registration/Phase-1A-medical/
The team and I pride ourselves on clear, timely communication but unfortunately, we have not be able to provide that for our IL residents and families related to the vaccine because the information we ourselves have is limited. Please know we are doing our very best and will make every effort to get every resident vaccinated but we cannot make promises. We do recommend investigating other options for the vaccine. Thank you for your ongoing patience and support; not only are we all dealing with COVID-19, we are also working through the vaccination process which has proven to be challenging as well. But as with everything else, we will get there!
Dining
Don’t forget the Bistro is open for lunch! The team is working hard to re-open the Bistro and Heritage Hall for dinner in the near future. We miss you!
Human Resources
On a happy note, please join me in welcoming Kathy Pinzka. Kathy is our new Director of Personal Care & Home Care. Kathy is an experienced licensed personal care administrator and a licensed practical nurse, and has served at both Peter Becker and Gloria Dei. She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience. She will be on campus beginning Monday January 25th. Kathy can be reached at Extension 512. We will be making time for her to meet all of the residents and staff in the near future. We are thrilled to have her as part of the Doylestown Team!
Warm regards,
Maureen
