Barnwell Care Center maintains a comprehensive Pandemic Emergency Plan (PEP) to protect the safety, health, and dignity of every resident, family member, and staff member. This page summarizes the core elements of our plan.
Preparedness is the foundation of compassionate care. We plan, train, and stock for emergencies so that when one arises, our residents and families never have to wonder if we are ready.
Keeping residents, representatives, and families informed — promptly, clearly, and with respect.
Our nurses notify each resident's representative of any change in condition or suspected COVID-19 infection. Unless instructed otherwise, all notifications are made within 24 hours, except in medical emergencies, which are immediate.
In the event of a confirmed COVID-19 infection, or three or more residents or staff with new respiratory symptoms within 72 hours, we inform all residents, representatives, and families by 5pm the following calendar day — including the mitigating actions we have taken.
Families receive daily automated calls with case-status updates whenever new cases arise. The Administrator (or designee) also sends weekly written updates so families always know where things stand.
When in-person visits are restricted, we facilitate video and telephone "virtual visits" to support social and emotional well-being. We confirm the identity of every representative before each visit to protect resident privacy.
We notify the New York State Department of Health of all suspected COVID-19 symptoms, and we report weekly to the CDC on every data element required by the NHSN COVID-19 Module.
Every admission is screened, and every new resident is observed for symptoms before joining the wider community.
When a respiratory illness is present in our community, we move quickly and decisively to protect everyone.
All residents are screened, and any with suspected COVID-19 or respiratory infection are cohorted with appropriate notifications made to families and staff.
Residents wear masks, and staff wear gloves, masks, gowns, and eye protection. Face masks, hand sanitizer, tissues, and no-touch trash receptacles are provided throughout the facility.
Strict hand-hygiene protocols are reinforced, and we use single-use patient care equipment wherever possible to prevent cross-contamination.
Bathroom sharing is discontinued for residents who are outside their assigned cohort — preserving safe boundaries between healthy and quarantined residents.
Communal dining and group programming are suspended during active outbreaks. We continue to support residents individually through their rooms with meals, activities, and visits from our team.
We maintain a dedicated group of rooms reserved for residents who are confirmed positive, suspected positive, or who have been exposed to COVID-19.
Color-coded signs on each resident's door give staff and visitors immediate visual confirmation of the precautions in place.
New admissions, residents in dialysis, or those potentially exposed.
Residents who have tested positive for COVID-19.
Residents suspected of having COVID-19.
Residents with unknown status, possibly exposed.
Our team reviews cohort assignments daily, updating room placements based on any change of status, admission, readmission, or outside appointment.
A well-stocked facility, a coordinated regional network, and strict adherence to organizational protocol.
If a resident needs to leave the facility temporarily, we work to make sure their place at Barnwell is preserved.
If you have questions about our Pandemic Emergency Plan or any other aspect of safety at Barnwell Care Center, please reach out. We're happy to discuss our procedures in detail.
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