ACC Care Center Meets Continuing Challenge of COVID-19

By Tamara Kario, MSN, RN, LNHA
Administrator, ACC Care Center

From the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, ACC Care Center has been focused on quality care and enhancing our residents, staff, and family members’ experience. These efforts came to fruition when we were granted approval for an innovative proposal: convert 16 apartments at ACC Maple Tree Village (MTV) for skilled nursing services as we braced for what many had called the “twindemic.”

The Care Center staff developed an in-depth plan to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 by grouping and locating residents into three Zones – Red (confirmed COVID-19 cases), Yellow (unknown/known exposure and new admissions), and Green (No COVID or recovered from COVID-19).

Chaia Lee welcomes Carolyn Muller to ACC Maple Tree Village.

The ability to extend our SNF license to MTV enabled the Care Center to expand the Yellow Zone for residents who may have had an exposure or where the status is unknown. In October, our staff safely and successfully moved 16 residents to the new Care Center Green Zone at MTV. The 16 residents were excited to move into private suites that came with added amenities. Having a team of dedicated staff assigned at MTV has lessened the residents’ transition trauma. We are grateful to the family members of the 16 residents who have continued to work with us. Through collaboration with them, we have continued to address important topics, including the creation of a VIP lounge similar to the one at the Care Center.

Moving 16 residents to MTV was the first step; the second Herculean step was the internal room moves of 30+ residents at the Care Center. Staff came up with a group called CMP (cleaners, movers, packers), who were assigned to support and assist moving the residents.

On the day of the internal room moves, we were notified of an ancillary staff member who had tested positive for COVID due to a family exposure. We immediately contacted the local health department to see whether the internal room moves could continue as previously planned. The county confirmed the moves could continue since the individual did not have direct contact with the residents. The internal room moves went smoothly, and the galvanizing effects of hard work from the staff spoke volumes.

We are especially grateful to the Care Center families who have unequivocally supported our efforts to fiercely care for our residents and staff. With ongoing scrutiny from regulatory agencies and information changing rapidly, we believe we have firmly aligned our mitigation plans with state and federal regulations.

Kaley Wong and Debbie Williams keep residents active and engaged.

To date, we have had six COVID-19 focused surveys, including a federal survey. We are encouraged each time the surveyors report that we remain in substantial compliance with our COVID-19 mitigation plans. Furthermore, the Care Center has partnered with CVS to be the facility’s COVID-19 vaccine provider. More information will be shared as we learn about the vaccine scheduling and administration process.

As we celebrate the holidays, we echo our appreciation and gratitude to everyone who has continued to support ACC. Thank you for the donations and generosity you continue to show each day. It is because of people like you that we have continued to press on against all odds.