The Clarview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center is emerging from unprecedented challenges with unmatched success due to the COVID-19 vaccines.
When the COVID-19 pandemic took effect in March 2020, Clarview Nursing & Rehabilitation was impacted greater than most because of the nature of our service.
During the pandemic, we continued to admit new residents abiding by CDC and Depart of Health zoning requirements and guidelines. We also faced the challenge of keeping current residents well.
Visitations were shut down for months and our dining hall and activities schedules were silenced. Staff members who tested positive were required to isolate. This made scheduling difficult and briefly required reliance on the National Guard to help with staffing. We reassigned some residents to new areas in order to make for a more manageable facility.
The vaccine received the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s emergency-use authorization in December 2020. Vaccination distribution began in January of this year.
Since then, we have encouraged all residents, staff, family members, and volunteers to become vaccinated. Our efforts were emphasized internally with flyers, posters, and staff meetings that featured medical experts. We also distributed weekly communication to residents’ friends and families and encouraged vaccinations for our residents and for their families. This was a proven means of combatting the spread.
As of July 24, 2021, vaccination rates are at 83 percent for staff and 88 percent for residents. Clinics continue to be offered for staff and residents as we continue our campaign to become vaccinated.
Our numbers exceed state, national and county numbers.
Currently, Clarview has no new cases, and we remain vigilant in following the steps to keep it that way. Even with emerging variants, vaccinations have proven to make one less susceptible contracting COVID-19.
While mask-wearing, surface-cleaning, hand-sanitizing, and social distancing have played a part in the prevention of the pandemic’s spread, the vaccine is the most significant advance.
Clarview has updated its cleanliness practices during the pandemic. These same standards were followed by our adjacent personal care facility for independent seniors, Country Springs.
Changes to our cleaning and disinfecting practices will remain in place. Disinfectants are stronger than sanitizers and can kill 99.99 percent of germs and are one of the most reliable ways to help lower the risk of spreading germs from surfaces. The chemicals being we use are EPA-approved and effective against the coronavirus.
Throughout, Clarview has endured.
Clarview has withstood the height of the pandemic and did its best to safeguard staff and residents and their families. We respect that families have entrusted us with the care for their loved ones and take that responsibility very seriously.
Learn more about vaccine availability at www.vaccines.gov/search.
Clarview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center provides skilled nursing care, inpatient therapy services, personal care, outpatient therapy services, life enrichment services, short-stay programs, and hospice care.
By Alison Mills Monrean
Administrator at Clarview Nursing & Rehabilitation Center
The opinions and statements made in this feature are those of the authoring organization and not necessarily those of Venango Newspapers.
