Nursing Home Safety Remains a Concern

The question of the safety and ethics of moving COVID patients to nursing homes is inching closer to a solution. Several actions have taken place this week by the Governor, Lawmakers, and Nursing Home Advocacy groups.

Executive Order 2020-148 maintains the current guidelines for nursing home safety, including protections for employees, dedicated units for COVID patients, and adequate PPE. The order extends to August 10.

Meanwhile, The Michigan House of Representatives Health Policy Committee heard testimony regarding legislation that would tighten restrictions, address the quality of the nursing homes that served as regional hubs, and put pressure on the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to be held accountable for instituting safeguards and monitoring facilities.

Also this week, a letter was sent from the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living to the National Governors Association sounding the alarm for “imminent outbreaks at nursing homes and assisted living facilities”. The trade group would like faster and better testing, more N-95 masks, and coordinated efforts to let visitors back in.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland