Open Letter to Employees

March 20 2020

1 Comments

Update: May 29, 2020

To Our Valued Employees,

As we continue to navigate these unchartered territories, one thing has remained constant during all this change.  YOU!  Your unwavering dedication to serve our patients is nothing short of admirable.  An infinite number of “thank yous” would not truly express our gratitude we feel.

As Illinois begins to enter Phase 3 of Restore Illinois, now is not the time to lose sight of the hard work we have all put in to ensure the safety of those we work with and those we serve.

Many families and staff members have inquired about when Elevate Care would “Reopen.”  Although this may not be the answer some want to hear, the answer is we simply do not know at this moment.  Elevate Care will work follow the leads of the  State and Local Health Departments in determining when the best time is to reopen our facilities.  Please keep in mind, there is not a uniform plan for society; in that regards, not all Elevate Care facilities may reopen at the same time.  The following factors will be taken into consideration:

• Case status in the surrounding community
• Case status in the nursing home
• Staffing Levels
• Universal source control of visitors
• PPE Supply
• Other pertinent indicators

As we are no doubt aware, nursing homes have been tremendously impacted by COVID-19 with some of the highest outbreaks in Illinois, causing high rates of infection, morbidity and mortality.  The vulnerable nature of the nursing home population combined with the inherent risks of congregate living in a healthcare setting requires aggressive efforts to limit COVID-19 exposure and to prevent the spread of COVID-19 within our homes.  The last thing we want at Elevate Care is to introduce a second wave outbreak.  That being the case, now is not the time to be relaxed in our efforts!

In addition, we must discuss how the entering of  Phase 3 of Restore Illinois, and its impact on our Elevate Care Nursing Facilities.  We are all excited to see a return to relative normalcy as summer months are upon us.  However, please keep in mind your safety and the safety of those you work with and care for.  As exciting as Phase 3 is, it also presents great risks for our homes.  As mentioned above, we have some of the most vulnerable patients to care for.  We ask that you continue to be vigilant during this Reopening of Illinois and practice safety measures when in the community.  Please continue to wear your face mask (always covering your mouth and nose), used Alcohol Based Hand Rubs and sanitize often, and social distance. We are all responsible for our families both within and outside of Elevate Care!

Again, we appreciate everything that you do day in and day out.

Be safe.  Be Smart.  Be Healthy.

#ElevateFamily

Update: March 24, 2020

To Our Elevate Care Employees:

We know you are concerned about the spread of COVID-19 (the new coronavirus) and how it may impact us here at Elevate Care.  Ensuring our staff and residents are in a safe and healthy environment is our TOP priority. Per guidance from local health departments, the CDC, CMS, and the Illinois Department of Public Health, we have implemented the following measures:

1. Restricting all visitors, volunteers and non-essential health care personnel from visiting the facility, except for compassionate reasons such as end-of-life situations.
2. Actively screening all health care personnel for respiratory symptoms including actively checking temperatures for a fever at the beginning of each shift, mid-day and end of shift. Anyone with these symptoms will not be permitted to enter the facility at any time.
3. THOROUGH REVIEW of all patients coming from the hospital, whether new patients or re-admissions, to ensure we properly screen and accept patients. At this time, we are not accepting positive COVID-19 patients in our building.

We need your help:

1. Sick employees need to stay home. If you have any symptoms, stay home and notify your supervisor. Those symptoms include cough, fever, sore throat, and/or shortness of breath.
2. Notify us if you develop respiratory symptoms while at work. These include cough, fever, sore throat and/or shortness of breath.
3. Let us know if you work in other health care settings or have any exposure to other facilities with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 cases.
4. Practice proper hand hygiene. All employees should wash their hands for at least 20 seconds or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60-95% alcohol upon entering the building and before and after interaction with residents. Soap and water should be used preferentially if hands are visibly dirty.

We will stay up to date with the federal government’s recommendations as they may continue to change. As new information becomes available, we will share it with you.

Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact your administrator or any of the Corporate Team members.

Thank you for your commitment and dedication to our residents, as well as coworkers.  It is not unnoticed.

To the Dedicated Members of Elevate Care:

This has been an unprecedented week for the Elevate Care family and society as a whole.  We are faced with challenges that we have never seen in our lifetimes.  There is immense pride when “Elevate Care” comes to mind.  It seems as if things are changing by the minute.  Each day feels longer than the last month, and yesterday feels like years ago.  Here we are though…..Elevate Care keeps moving forward; meeting every challenge; elevating our care.  It cannot be done without the hard work and cohesiveness of the teams in each building.  It is with tremendous gratitude that we thank our hardworking, dedicated, and fearless employees, known to the rest of the public simply as “healthcare workers” but to us, you are superheroes.

Elevate Care has a simple mission during this time.  We will stop at nothing to care for our patients and protect our employees.  The task force comprised of leadership within the company meets daily to continue to our mission to you and our patients.  We have witnessed an unwavering commitment to our patients by you, and in turn we give to you our unwavering support and protection.  We are being as diligent as we are firm with our guidelines to protect our homes.  It is not only for our patients and employees; but for everyone.  Most importantly, follow infection control guidelines and utilize the appropriate personal protective equipment you are provided.  This is another necessary tool to safeguard yourself and those around you.  We will defeat this, but we can only do it together!  We must act responsibly.

Every day, Elevate Care heeds the calls for action of local and national public health officials in order to protect ourselves, our patients, and our employees.  As this is done, you, our employees, heed the calls and responsibilities to care for our patients.  It is a remarkable display of courage and selflessness.  In return, you can expect Elevate Care to do whatever it takes to protect you.  We will get through this as Elevate Care.  Thank you for continuing to show off exactly what it means to Elevate Care!  We are committed.  We are brave.  We are proud.  We are the Elevate Care family.