IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF: October 14, 2021
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF: October 14, 2021
Dear Colleagues, Residents, Families, and Friends,
It is with bittersweetness I share that Dru Rosenthal, Director of Development and Communications and Grace Hollandsworth, Communication and Event Manager are leaving CSP. While they will remain part of CSP’s extended family, their last day as part of our team is Friday, October 15.
Dru will be joining Relay Resources (https://relayresources.org) as Director of Communications. She will be working with the organization over time to initiate a comprehensive development platform. Relay Resources “cultivates meaningful work for people with disabilities and other barriers.”
Grace Hollandsworth is pursuing her next life adventure as she and her husband Eric are going to become parents and will be preparing their home for that new shayna punim. 😉
Big thank you to Nathan Gregg during this transitional time. For all development inquiries, you may reach Nathan at: nathan.gregg@cedarsinaipark.org or via mobile at 503-522-2116.
We are grateful to both Dru and Grace for sharing their expertise, hearts, and souls with CSP and we wish them much Mazel!
“I awoke this morning with devout thanksgiving for my friends, the old and the new.”
~Ralph Waldo Emerson
CSP COVID Updates
In addition to the vaccine, masking, hand hygiene, and limiting the size of indoor social gatherings continue to be our best defense:
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact the campus administrators or me. We will assist you in any way possible.
RSM: Vivian Villegas: 1-360-936-2694
RJHC/HSCL: Krista Mattox: 503-320-0807
With love, honor, and respect,
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF: October 8, 2021
Dear Colleagues, Residents, Families, and Friends,
With the state and federal vaccine mandate implementation ten days away, Cedar Sinai Park shares our progress to date: 92% of our staff on the Boundary Street Campus are already fully vaccinated; an additional 1% will be fully vaccinated after the October 18 date; 6% requested an exemption and are currently engaged in an interactive process with HR; and 1% of our staff elected not to vaccinate and will be separated from employment at CSP.
As of October 18, 2021, our policy includes:
Residents who are unvaccinated are required to:
Team Members with approved vaccine exemptions who work on site are required to:
Family Members, Guests, and Outside Contractors will be required to:
Those unvaccinated with approved medical or religious exemption will be required to:
New Employees are required to provide proof of vaccination prior to beginning work at Cedar Sinai Park.
CSP will adjust this policy if appropriate and necessary
in light of changing rules, guidelines, circumstances, and experience.
We are awaiting additional guidance from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) regarding the mandate and will keep you informed.
CSP COVID Updates
In addition to the vaccine, masking, hand hygiene, and limiting the size of indoor social gatherings continue to be our best defense:
Please know we are taking every step as recommended by authorities to contain the spread. We want to make residents, their families, and our dedicated staff aware of this situation and reassure everyone that we are on top of it.
Developments are changing day by day, minute by minute. Our focus remains on the health and well-being of our community. We must also recognize our team for the concern and commitment they have shown to our residents and one another during this challenging time. Our mission has never been more meaningful.
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact the campus administrators or me. We will assist you in any way possible.
RSM: Vivian Villegas: 1-360-936-2694
RJHC/HSCL: Krista Mattox: 503-320-0807
With love, honor, and respect,
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF: October 4, 2021
Dear Colleagues, Residents, Families, and Friends,
This morning we learned an RJHC/HSCL team member tested positive for COVID-19 as part of our routine testing. The team member currently quarantining at home.
We have notified Public Health (OHA), the Oregon Department of Human Services Safety, Oversight and Quality Unit (DHS/SOQ) and the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) as required. In anticipation of direction from OHA and DHS we are initiating the following protocols:
We are initiating testing for all RJHC/HSCL team members and residents.
Team Members: N95 masks are required in addition to shields.
Residents: Visitation between RJHC/HSCL and RSM is suspended at this time
to mitigate exposure cross-campus.
Residents, Families and Volunteers: Indoor visitation is suspended at this time.
Compassionate care visits (and visits as required under federal disability rights laws such as the ombudsman), will continue.
As in all cases, contact tracing is performed.
In addition to the vaccine, masking, hand hygiene, and limiting the size of indoor social gatherings continue to be our best defense:
Please know we are taking every step as recommended by authorities to contain the spread. We want to make residents, their families, and our dedicated staff aware of this situation and reassure everyone that we are on top of it.
Developments are changing day by day, minute by minute. Our focus remains on the health and well-being of our community. We must also recognize our team for the concern and commitment they have shown to our residents and one another during this challenging time. Our mission has never been more meaningful.
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact the campus administrators or me. We will assist you in any way possible.
RSM: Vivian Villegas: 1-360-936-2694
RJHC/HSCL: Krista Mattox: 503-320-0807
With love, honor, and respect,
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF: October 1, 2021
Dear Colleagues, Residents, Families, and Friends,
This week’s column is inspired by last night’s CSP Board Meeting Drash, given by Elise Brickner-Schulz, Cedar Sinai Park’s Chair of our Board of Trustees. Sharing an ancient prayer of healing and new prayers for the COVID-19 pandemic:
Prayer for Acts of Healing
May it be Your will, Lord our God and God of our ancestors that this endeavor bring healing, for You are the generous healer.
Siddur Mizrachi
Intention When Receiving the COVID-19 Vaccine
This prayer is intended for use by [hospital] staff of all spiritual traditions. It would be appropriate to add the shehechiyanu blessing after receiving the vaccine.
With gratitude for the wisdom of the scientists
the courage of the clinical trial volunteers
the dedication of the thousands of leaders and workers
who made it possible for me to receive it.
May this vaccine protect me from this virus
bring peace of mind to those who hold me dear
give me strength to continue to care for those who
depend on my professional skills
and compassionate presence.
Rabbi Deborah Miller
A Prayer for Receiving the COVID Vaccine
I have been praying for this day and now it is here!
With great excitement, a touch of trepidation
And with deep gratitude
I give thanks
To all the scientists who toiled day and night
So that I might receive this tiny vaccination
That will protect me and all souls around this world.
With the pandemic still raging
I am blessed to do my part to defeat it.
Let this be the beginning of a new day,
A new time of hope, of joy, of freedom
And most of all, of health.
I thank You, God, for blessing me with life
For sustaining my life
And for enabling me to reach this awe-filled moment.
Amen
Rabbi Naomi Levy
Prayer Recited by those Administering the Vaccine
“I praise the ETERNAL with all my heart in the assembled congregation of the upright” (Psalm 111).
God who answers in times of distress and saves, “Healer of broken hearts who binds their wounds” (Psalm 147), Who shares divine wisdom with flesh and blood and has given us understanding, science and discernment to create this vaccine:
May it be Your will that through the power of this act I will merit healing and saving lives of all the living, and be able to fulfill the teaching, “whoever saves a single life… saves an entire world ” (Mishnah Sanhedrin 4:5) as it is written “I am going to bring her relief and healing” (Jeremiah 33).
Praised are You who brings healing to all flesh and does wonders.
Prayer for People Being Vaccinated
God who answers in times of distress and saves, “Healer of broken hearts who binds their wounds” (Psalm 147), who shares divine wisdom with flesh and blood and has given us understanding, science and discernment to create this vaccine:
May it be Your will that through the power of this human effort aided by God who graciously grants humans knowledge and teaches mortals understanding, science and discernment that I merit health and resilience so that these verses may be fulfilled for us: “I have removed illness from your midst” “for I the ETERNAL am your healer” (Exodus 23; 15). “Let them praise the ETERNAL for God’s steadfast love and wondrous deeds for humanity” (Psalm 107).
Praised are You who brings healing to all flesh and does wonders.
Prayer Upon Receiving the Covid-19 Vaccine
May it be Your will, Heavenly Healer, that this endeavor be for healing and may You grant healing to me, to my loved ones, to my nation, and to all who are in need. Fill me with a sense of gratitude for all who create, distribute, and deliver this vaccine, and for all those who work for the health of individuals and our communities. Empower me to care in good health ever more deeply for others. Blessed are You, Holy One, Healer of all flesh, sustaining our bodies in wondrous ways. (based on BT Brachot 60a and Birkot HaShachar)
Rabbi Andrew Sacks and Rabbi Aaron Star of The Masorti Rabbinical Assembly
CSP COVID Updates
In addition to the vaccine, masking, hand hygiene, and limiting the size of indoor social gatherings continue to be our best defense:
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact the campus administrators or me. We will assist you in any way possible.
RSM: Vivian Villegas: 1-360-936-2694
RJHC/HSCL: Krista Mattox: 503-320-0807
Good Shabbos,
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF: September 24, 2021
Dear Colleagues, Residents, Families, and Friends,
This morning, CDC Director Rochelle Walensky, M.D, endorsed the recommendation made Thursday by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) to give the booster shot to select adult populations, including residents living in long-term care facilities and seniors aged 65 and older. The CDC recommends these groups “should” receive the shot at least 6 months after their first series of shots.
The agency also overruled ACIP and recommended the booster for those who work in high-risk and institutional settings, like healthcare workers.
Current recommendations for Covid-19 booster vaccines do not change the definition of who is fully vaccinated, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr. Walensky says. “We are not changing the definition right now of fully vaccinated. I think we need to have more experience with our third shot and have more people eligible and recommended to receive it before we change that definition,” Walensky said at a White House Covid-19 Response Team briefing.
The CDC currently defines fully vaccinated as being 14 days past a second dose of an mRNA Covid-19 vaccine – Pfizer’s or Moderna’s -– or 14 days past one dose of Johnson & Johnson’s vaccine.
CSP anticipates initiating our comprehensive booster program next week,
in addition to our continued weekly Pfizer vaccine clinic.
Due to the current surge in Oregon, Oregon Health Authority (OHA) will not be changing several key infection prevention practices for Oregon nursing facilities. Infection prevention recommendations that will remain in place until otherwise notified include:
Masking in healthcare settings. Oregon Administrative Rule 333-019- 1011 continues to require masking in healthcare settings, irrespective of county transmission levels.
Quarantine of fully vaccinated residents. Irrespective of vaccination status, residents should continue to be placed in quarantine if they have had close contact with someone with SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Outbreak testing. Facilities should continue to conduct full-facility testing in response to a single case in a resident or staff member.
CSP COVID Updates
In addition to the vaccine, masking, hand hygiene, and limiting the size of indoor social gatherings continue to be our best defense:
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact the campus administrators or me. We will assist you in any way possible.
RSM: Vivian Villegas: 1-360-936-2694
RJHC/HSCL: Krista Mattox: 503-320-0807
With love, honor, and respect,
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF: September 21, 2021
Dear Colleagues, Residents, Families, and Friends,
This morning, CDC Director Rochelle Walensky, M.D, endorsed the recommendation made Thursday by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) to give the booster shot to select adult populations, including residents living in long-term care facilities and seniors aged 65 and older. The CDC recommends these groups “should” receive the shot at least 6 months after their first series of shots.
The agency also overruled ACIP and recommended the booster for those who work in high-risk and institutional settings, like healthcare workers.
Current recommendations for Covid-19 booster vaccines do not change the definition of who is fully vaccinated, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr. Walensky says. “We are not changing the definition right now of fully vaccinated. I think we need to have more experience with our third shot and have more people eligible and recommended to receive it before we change that definition,” Walensky said at a White House Covid-19 Response Team briefing.
The CDC currently defines fully vaccinated as being 14 days past a second dose of an mRNA Covid-19 vaccine – Pfizer’s or Moderna’s -– or 14 days past one dose of Johnson & Johnson’s vaccine.
CSP anticipates initiating our comprehensive booster program next week,
in addition to our continued weekly Pfizer vaccine clinic.
Due to the current surge in Oregon, Oregon Health Authority (OHA) will not be changing several key infection prevention practices for Oregon nursing facilities. Infection prevention recommendations that will remain in place until otherwise notified include:
CSP COVID Updates
In addition to the vaccine, masking, hand hygiene, and limiting the size of indoor social gatherings continue to be our best defense:
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact the campus administrators or me. We will assist you in any way possible.
RSM: Vivian Villegas: 1-360-936-2694
RJHC/HSCL: Krista Mattox: 503-320-0807
With love, honor, and respect,
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF: September 21, 2021
Dear Colleagues, Residents, Families, and Friends,
Yesterday afternoon we learned a private duty caregiver at RSM tested positive for COVID-19. Both our resident and the caregiver are vaccinated. Our resident has tested negative at this time. No other staff or residents were exposed.
We have notified Public Health (OHA), the Oregon Department of Human Services Safety, Oversight and Quality Unit (DHS/SOQ) and the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) as required.
Please join me in sending positive thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovery.
We just learned from DHS and OHA, that due to the extremely limited
exposure of this positive private duty caregiver:
No additional testing is required at this time.
Indoor visitation, activity, and dining may continue.
As in all cases, contact tracing is performed.
We must all continue to do our best to do all we can to support our community by following the recommendations set forth by the CDC:
Please know we are taking every step as recommended by authorities to contain the spread. We want to make residents, their families, and our dedicated staff aware of this situation and reassure everyone that we are on top of it.
Developments are changing day by day, minute by minute. Our focus remains on the health and well-being of our community. We must also recognize our team for the concern and commitment they have shown to our residents and one another during this challenging time. Our mission has never been more meaningful.
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact the campus administrators or me. We will assist you in any way possible.
RSM: Vivian Villegas: 1-360-936-2694
RJHC/HSCL: Krista Mattox: 503-320-0807
With love, honor, and respect,
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF: September 20, 2021
Dear Colleagues, Residents, Families, and Friends,
We are pleased to share on this eve of Sukkot, that all results from first round COVID-19 testing have returned negative! Per the Department of Human Services (DHS):
Indoor visitation, including volunteers, may resume at this time!
We must all continue to do our best to do all we can to support our community by following the recommendations set forth by the CDC:
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact the campus administrators or me. We will assist you in any way possible.
RSM: Vivian Villegas: 1-360-936-2694
RJHC/HSCL: Krista Mattox: 503-320-0807
Chag Sukkot Sameach,
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF: September 18, 2021
Dear Colleagues, Residents, Families, and Friends,
This afternoon we learned a private duty caregiver at RSM tested positive for COVID-19. Both our resident and the caregiver are vaccinated. Our resident has tested negative at this time. No other staff or residents were exposed.
We have notified Public Health (OHA), the Oregon Department of Human Services Safety, Oversight and Quality Unit (DHS/SOQ) and the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) as required.
Please join me in sending positive thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovery.
Testing for all staff and residents complete.
Residents and Families: Indoor visitation will continue to be suspended at this time, due to the RSM positive result identified September 14, 2021. Compassionate care visits (and visits as required under federal disability rights laws such as the ombudsman), will continue.
As in all cases, contact tracing is performed.
We must all continue to do our best to do all we can to support our community by following the recommendations set forth by the CDC:
Please know we are taking every step as recommended by authorities to contain the spread. We want to make residents, their families, and our dedicated staff aware of this situation and reassure everyone that we are on top of it.
Developments are changing day by day, minute by minute. Our focus remains on the health and well-being of our community. We must also recognize our team for the concern and commitment they have shown to our residents and one another during this challenging time. Our mission has never been more meaningful.
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact the campus administrators or me. We will assist you in any way possible.
RSM: Vivian Villegas: 1-360-936-2694
RJHC/HSCL: Krista Mattox: 503-320-0807
With love, honor, and respect,
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF: September 17, 2021
Dear Colleagues, Residents, Families, and Friends,
On September 14, 2021, we shared an RSM staff member tested positive for COVID-19. This staff member had recently received their first dose of vaccine prior to testing positive.
Upon review of the data we forwarded to Public Health (OHA), the Oregon Department of Human Services Safety, Oversight and Quality Unit (DHS/SOQ) and the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), the following change has occurred:
Residents and Families: Indoor visitation is suspended at this time.
Compassionate care visits (and visits as required under federal disability rights laws such as the ombudsman), will continue.
We must all continue to do our best to do all we can to support our community by following the recommendations set forth by the CDC:
Please know we are taking every step as recommended by authorities to contain the spread. We want to make residents, their families, and our dedicated staff aware of this situation and reassure everyone that we are on top of it.
Developments are changing day by day, minute by minute. Our focus remains on the health and well-being of our community. We must also recognize our team for the concern and commitment they have shown to our residents and one another during this challenging time. Our mission has never been more meaningful.
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact the campus administrators or me. We will assist you in any way possible.
RSM: Vivian Villegas: 1-360-936-2694
RJHC/HSCL: Krista Mattox: 503-320-0807
With love, honor, and respect,
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF: September 14, 2021 (Second Update)
Dear Colleagues, Residents, Families, and Friends,
This afternoon we learned a staff member at RSM tested positive for COVID-19. This staff member had recently received their first dose of vaccine prior to testing positive.
We have notified Public Health (OHA), the Oregon Department of Human Services Safety, Oversight and Quality Unit (DHS/SOQ) and the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) as required.
Please join me in sending positive thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovery.
We will initiate testing for all staff and residents.
Staff: Per DHS, no changes to current PPE use required.
Residents and Families: Per DHS, visitation may continue.
As in all cases, contact tracing is performed.
We must all continue to do our best to do all we can to support our community by following the recommendations set forth by the CDC:
Please know we are taking every step as recommended by authorities to contain the spread. We want to make residents, their families, and our dedicated staff aware of this situation and reassure everyone that we are on top of it.
Developments are changing day by day, minute by minute. Our focus remains on the health and well-being of our community. We must also recognize our team for the concern and commitment they have shown to our residents and one another during this challenging time. Our mission has never been more meaningful.
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact the campus administrators or me. We will assist you in any way possible.
RSM: Vivian Villegas: 1-360-936-2694
RJHC/HSCL: Krista Mattox: 503-320-0807
With love, honor, and respect,
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF: September 14, 2021
Hello Friends of Cedar Sinai Park,
We hope you enjoyed our latest Generations magazine which highlights the many programs and services your generosity enables us to provide. By now you have also received our Annual Appeal letter. Thank you to those who have responded – we appreciate your generosity more than words can say!
We find comfort and inspiration knowing you care about our mission.
On behalf of all of us at Cedar Sinai Park, know we count you among our blessings. We wish you – our CSP family – sweetness, good health, happiness, and peace in this New Year.
L’Shanah Tovah Tikatevu Ve Techatemu,
לְשָׁנָה טוֹבָה תִכָּתֵבוּ וְתֵּחָתֵמוּ
May you be inscribed and sealed in the Book of Life for a good year
Elise Brickner-Schulz Kimberly Fuson
Chair, Board of Trustees Chief Executive Officer
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF: September 9, 2021
Dear Colleagues, Residents, Families, and Friends,
In the spirit of Teshuvah: Returning to our true essence and Tefillah: Deepening our closeness to G-d, I share the following thoughts about Yom Kippur by Rabbi Shohama of Temple Beth-El of City Island, New York: https://www.yourshulbythesea.org/2020/09/27/kol-nidre-5781-2020-hooponopono-and-the-light-bulb/.
CSP COVID Updates:
In addition to the vaccine, masking, hand hygiene, and limiting the size of
indoor social gatherings continue to be our best defense:
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact our campus administrators or me. We will assist you in any way possible.
RSM: Vivian Villegas: 1-360-936-2694
HSCL/RJHC: Krista Mattox: 503-320-0807
L’Shanah Tovah Tikatevu Ve Techatemu,
לְשָׁנָה טוֹבָה תִכָּתֵבוּ וְתֵּחָתֵמוּ
May you be inscribed and sealed in the Book of Life for a good year.
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF: September 2, 2021
Dear Colleagues, Residents, Families, and Friends,
The Jewish mystic Baal Shem Tov says “the world is new to us every morning and every being should believe they are reborn each day*.” *Pronouns changed to reflect inclusivity.
Entering the Yamim Noraim (Days of Awe) offers us all a very special opportunity to engage in Teshuvah: Returning to our true essence; Tefillah: Deepening our closeness to G-d, and Tzedakah: Socially just giving; doing the right or righteous thing.
May this Rosh Hashanah, this new year 5782, bring our CSP, local, and world communities together to rekindle within us the spirit of Tikvah (hope), Emunah (transcendent faith), and Tikkun O’lam (healing the world).
L’Shanah Tovah U’metukah
שנה טובה ומתוקה
Have a Good & Sweet Year
CSP COVID Updates:
In addition to the vaccine, masking, hand hygiene, and limiting the size of indoor social gatherings continue to be our best defense:
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact our campus administrators or me. We will assist you in any way possible.
RSM: Vivian Villegas: 1-360-936-2694
HSCL/RJHC: Krista Mattox: 503-320-0807
With love, honor, and respect,
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF: August 27, 2021
Dear Colleagues, Residents, Families, and Friends,
CSP COVID Updates:
In addition to the vaccine, masking, hand hygiene, and limiting the size of
indoor social gatherings continue to be our best defense:
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact our campus administrators or me. We will assist you in any way possible.
RSM: Vivian Villegas: 1-360-936-2694
HSCL/RJHC: Krista Mattox: 503-320-0807
Wishing all a peaceful and relaxing Shabbos,
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
503-504-5277
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF: August 23, 2021
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF: August 20, 2021 (Update #2)
Dear Colleagues, Residents, Families, and Friends,
This afternoon we learned a private duty caregiver at RSM tested positive for COVID-19. Our resident is vaccinated and has tested negative at this time.
We have notified Public Health (OHA), the Oregon Department of Human Services Safety, Oversight and Quality Unit (DHS/SOQ) and the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) as required.
Please join me in sending positive thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovery.
We will initiate testing today for all staff and residents.
Out of an abundance of caution, the following protocols will be initiated
due to this positive result:
Staff: N95 masks and shields will be issued.
Dining Services: Resident dining only. Guest dining suspended at this time.
As in all cases, contact tracing is performed.
We must all continue to do our best to do all we can to support our community by following the recommendations set forth by the CDC:
Please know we are taking every step as recommended by authorities to contain the spread. We want to make residents, their families, and our dedicated staff aware of this situation and reassure everyone that we are on top of it.
Developments are changing day by day, minute by minute. Our focus remains on the health and well-being of our community. We must also recognize our team for the concern and commitment they have shown to our residents and one another during this challenging time. Our mission has never been more meaningful.
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact the campus administrators or me. We will assist you in any way possible.
RSM: Vivian Villegas: 1-360-936-2694
RJHC/HSCL: Krista Mattox: 503-320-0807
Kimberly Fuson, Chief Executive Officer: 503-504-5277
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF: August 20, 2021 (Update #1)
Dear Colleagues, Residents, Families, and Friends,
We are pleased to share the following information regarding COVID-19 third dose and boosters, compliments of our trusted advisor and partner, Consonus Pharmacy:
Q: What is the difference between a third dose and a booster?
A: Immunocompromised individuals that completed the initial primary vaccine series are now eligible for a third dose. This is because the immune response to the first and second dose may not have been sufficient due to their immunocompromised health status. For additional information on immune suppression refer to CDC Yellow Book.
Individuals that had a sufficient immune response to the primary vaccine series will likely be eligible to receive a booster dose in the future. A booster dose is intended to boost an immune that may wane over time.
Q: Under the current Emergency Use Authorization (EUA), who is eligible for a third dose and when should it be given?
A: Only immunocompromised patients qualify to receive a third dose. A third dose of the PfizerBioNTech COVID-19 vaccine or Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine can be administered at least 28 days following the first two doses.
Q: When will my community/facility be able to get access to third dose vaccines?
A: Consonus clients activated in the Vaccine Continuity Program can order vaccine now to be given as a third dose for immunocompromised patients. As with the first and second dose, immunocompromised patients should consult their provider before they receive ANY dose of COVID-19 vaccine.
Q: Is a third dose going to be available to the adults ≥65 years of age, long-term care residents and healthcare personnel starting September 20th?
A: On Tuesday, August 24th the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) will meet and determine if the vaccine Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) will be amended to include a recommendation for a booster dose for all individuals, including adults ≥65 years of age, long-term care residents and healthcare personnel.
Q: Will the additional vaccine doses be the same as the original ones or different?
A: The third dose approved in the EUA is the same formulation as the original vaccine. However, Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna are both evaluating other vaccines developed to specific variants like the Delta variant.
Q: Why was the Johnson and Johnson vaccine not included in the EUA amendment for a third dose?
A: The Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccine received an EUA approximately two months after the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. Because the Johnson and Johnson vaccine works differently from the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines studies are currently being conducted to determine if a third dose should be recommended.
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact the campus administrators or me. We will assist you in any way possible.
RJHC/HSCL: Krista Mattox: 503-320-0807
RSM: Vivian Villegas: 1-360-936-2694
Kimberly Fuson, Chief Executive Officer: 503-504-5277
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF: August 19, 2021 (Update #2)
Dear Colleagues, Residents, Families, and Friends,
In the spirit of total transparency, we are informing you that late this afternoon, an RJHC/HSCL team member reported they were exposed to a person who tested positive for COVID-19 outside of the workplace. Our dear team member is currently asymptomatic, quarantining at home pending test results.
We have notified Public Health (OHA), the Oregon Department of Human Services Safety, Oversight and Quality Unit (DHS/SOQ) and the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) as required.
As RJHC/HSCL is already under an Executive Order from the County for last week’s exposure, the following protocols will remain in place:
Additional testing for RJHC/HSCL residents and team members.
Staff: N95 masks along with shields.
Visitation: Indoor visitation is limited to compassionate care.
Outdoor visitation may continue.
Community Planned Group Activities: Limited to 10 participants if in the Goodman Living Room. Household-specific activity may include all 12 residents. All with CSP staff only. Volunteers suspended at this time.
As in all cases, contact tracing is performed.
We must all continue to do our best to do all we can to support our community by following the recommendations set forth by the CDC:
Please know we are taking every step as recommended by authorities to contain the spread. We want to make residents, their families, and our dedicated staff aware of this situation and reassure everyone that we are on top of it.
Developments are changing day by day, minute by minute. Our focus remains on the health and well-being of our community. We must also recognize our team for the concern and commitment they have shown to our residents and one another during this challenging time. Our mission has never been more meaningful.
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact the campus administrators or me. We will assist you in any way possible.
RJHC/HSCL: Krista Mattox: 503-320-0807
RSM: Vivian Villegas: 1-360-936-2694
Kimberly Fuson, Chief Executive Officer: 503-504-5277
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF: August 19, 2021 (Update #1)
Dear Colleagues, Residents, Families, and Friends,
Today, Governor Kate Brown updated health safety measures for health care workers in Oregon. This update pushes back the Governor’s original vaccine deadline from September 30 to October 18 or six weeks after FDA approval. The update comes as our state faces a surge in new COVID-19 cases and record-breaking hospitalizations.
According to Governor Brown, Oregon’s vaccination requirement for health care workers will no longer have a testing alternative. Health care workers will be required to be fully vaccinated by October 18 or six weeks after full FDA approval, whichever is later.
This includes healthcare workers who work in:
For those who wish to watch the Governor’s press conference click here.
As always, CSP will respond to this initiative with sensitivity and respect for
our team members.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Human Resources, the campus administrators or me. We will assist you in any way possible.
CSP Human Resources: Duncan McArthur: 971-717-7180
RSM: Vivian Villegas: 1-360-936-2694
HSCL/RJHC: Krista Mattox: 503-320-0807
Kimberly Fuson, Chief Executive Officer: 503-504-5277
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF: August 18, 2021
Dear Colleagues, Residents, Families, and Friends,
A special thank you to Dr. Carr and Krista Mattox for guest writing!
The information regarding required vaccination for healthcare workers is changing rapidly. Below is a summary we hope gives you the most updated news to date and a good measure of comfort that CSP is responding both nimbly and respectfully.
Beginning with the August 4, 2021 mandate from Governor Brown, on August 5, 2021, the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) issued a temporary rule requiring health care workers to be fully vaccinated or undergo COVID-19 testing at least weekly in order to work in a healthcare setting by September 30, 2021. CSP already has a protocol in place for testing.
Today:
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is developing an emergency regulation requiring staff vaccinations within the nation’s more than 15,000 Medicare and Medicaid-participating nursing homes or providers will lose Medicare and Medicaid funding:
Nursing homes must vaccinate employees or lose Medicaid/Medicare funding
Booster vaccines have been approved for those who received Pfizer or Moderna. The booster should be given 8 months after an individual’s second dose was administered:
Biden Administration to offer booster vaccine 09202021
Interesting information about the Pfizer vaccine, administered at CSP:
FDA Storage Update for Pfizer Vaccine
CSP COVID Updates:
In addition to the vaccine, masking, hand hygiene, and limiting the size of
indoor social gatherings continue to be our best defense:
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact the campus leadership or me. We will assist you in any way possible.
RSM: Vivian Villegas: 1-360-936-2694
HSCL/RJHC: Krista Mattox: 503-320-0807
With love, honor, and respect,
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
503-504-5277
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF: August 16, 2021
Dear Colleagues, Residents, Families, and Friends,
Today we learned that one of our beloved CSP Adult Day Service (ADS) participants was exposed to a family member who tested positive for COVID-19 (the family member was too young to be vaccinated). All ADS participants and team members are vaccinated.
We have notified Public Health (OHA), the Oregon Department of Human Services Safety, Oversight and Quality Unit (DHS/SOQ) and the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) as required.
Because CSP ADS serves our campus and the general community, out of an abundance of caution, and due to the increased number of COVID-19 positive cases in our city and county, including a rise in the number of identified Delta variant cases, per our infection prevention consultant and medical director, the following protocols have been initiated due to this exposure:
Adult Day Services:
Rose Schnitzer Manor:
Harold Schnitzer Center for Living/Robison Jewish Health Center:
As in all cases, contact tracing is performed.
We must all continue to do our best to do all we can to support our community by following the recommendations set forth by the CDC:
Please know we are taking every step as recommended by authorities to contain the spread. We want to make residents, their families, and our dedicated team members aware of this situation and reassure everyone that we are on top of it.
Developments are changing day by day, minute by minute. Our focus remains on the health and well-being of our community. We must also recognize our team for the concern and commitment they have shown to our residents and one another during this challenging time. Our mission has never been more meaningful.
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact the campus administrators or me. We will assist you in any way possible.
CSP ADS: Nancy Heckler: 503-709-4266
RJHC/HSCL: Krista Mattox: 503-320-0807
RSM: Vivian Villegas: 1-360-936-2694
Kimberly Fuson, Chief Executive Officer: 503-504-5277
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF: August 14, 2021
Good Shabbos Dear Colleagues, Residents, Families, and Friends,
In the spirit of total transparency, we are informing you that late last night, an RJHC/HSCL team member reported they were exposed to a person who tested positive for COVID-19 outside of the workplace. Our dear team member is currently asymptomatic, tested negative with an initial rapid test, and is quarantining at home at this time, pending results of a PCR follow-up test.
We have notified Public Health (OHA), the Oregon Department of Human Services Safety, Oversight and Quality Unit (DHS/SOQ) and the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) as required.
Due to the increased number of COVID-19 positive cases in our city and county, including a rise in the number of identified Delta variant cases, and out of an abundance of caution, per our infection prevention consultant and medical director, the following protocols will be initiated due to this exposure:
Testing today for all residents and staff.
Staff: N95 masks and shields will be issued.
Visitation: Indoor visitation is limited to compassionate care.
Outdoor visitation may continue.
Community Planned Group Activities: Limited to 10 participants if in the Goodman Living Room. Household-specific activity may include all 12 residents. All with CSP staff only. Volunteers suspended at this time.
As in all cases, contact tracing is performed.
We must all continue to do our best to do all we can to support our community by following the recommendations set forth by the CDC:
Please know we are taking every step as recommended by authorities to contain the spread. We want to make residents, their families, and our dedicated staff aware of this situation and reassure everyone that we are on top of it.
Developments are changing day by day, minute by minute. Our focus remains on the health and well-being of our community. We must also recognize our team for the concern and commitment they have shown to our residents and one another during this challenging time. Our mission has never been more meaningful.
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact the campus administrators or me. We will assist you in any way possible.
RJHC/HSCL: Shannon Freeman (through August 15, 2021): 503-449-1895
RSM: Vivian Villegas: 1-360-936-2694
Kimberly Fuson, Chief Executive Officer: 503-504-5277
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF: August 12, 2021
We warmly welcome Krista Mattox, Robison Jewish Health Center’s Administrator to give this week’s update.
COVID-19 News Update:
On Friday, August 4, 2021, Governor Kate Brown announced new health safety measure for health care workers in Oregon. This includes those who work in nursing facilities, assisted living facilities, and other health care settings like hospitals. The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) is in the process of establishing an emergency rule that will require health care workers to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by September 30, 2021.
Any member of Cedar Sinai Park staff who is not vaccinated for any reason, will be required to undergo testing at least once a week for any week they are present for work on campus.
One other update:
Starting tomorrow – August 13, 2021, Multnomah County will require masking in all indoor areas, once again. The county COVID rate has increased exponentially over the last two weeks and 100% of the positive COVID cases are the Delta variant.
Over the summer, the Multnomah County COVID case rate was at a low of 136 cases (the week of June 27, 2021) and has now grown to a weekly case rate of 735 cases (the week of August 1, 2021). Currently, the county is experiencing an average of 179 COVID cases per day.
CSP COVID Updates:
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the campus administrators who will assist you in any way possible:
RSM: Vivian Villegas: 1-360-936-2694
HSCL/RJHC: Krista Mattox: 503-320-0807
With love, honor, and respect,
Krista Mattox
Administrator, RJHC
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF: August 2, 2021
Kimberly Fuson is on holiday. We warmly welcome Dr. Kirsten Carr, Cedar Sinai Park’s Medical Director to give this week’s update.
Dear Colleagues, Residents, Families, and Friends,
“As the Delta variant incidence increases throughout the world, we remain vigilant to prevent the spread through our community. The greater Portland Metro area has seen both an increase in infection in unvaccinated folks and breakthrough infection (or infection following vaccination). Even here at Cedar Sinai Park, we have had a couple of isolated staff with positive tests. Testing in the broader community has not yielded any indication of further spread.
The Delta variant of COVID-19 is more easily transmitted than the original (or ancestral) version of the virus. Even asymptomatic vaccinated folks can spread this new variant by shedding the infection. Vaccination, however, remains the best defense and the best hope of avoiding serious illness. With vaccination, risk of hospitalization and death is reduced 25-fold. Risk of infection is also reduced eight-fold in vaccinated folks as compared to unvaccinated.
Although vaccination remains the best way to help curb COVID -19 infections and we highly encourage all those staff and residents who are able to complete the vaccination series, there are several other things that can also help reduce the risk of acquiring a breakthrough infection (infection after vaccination).
Social distancing and masking while indoors is key. Outdoor transmission risk remains low. Reducing the chance of infection being brought in from the outside is also still of utmost importance and our staff and visitors will continue to mask and use face shields when the incidence in the county is at a moderate level or above as per guidance from the state. We will also allow our staff to stay home when they feel ill to reduce the risk of them sharing their illness with our residents.
It has been a tiring last almost 18 months in this new world of COVID infection. It is difficult to remain vigilant and we hope to continue to find ways to embrace our friends and family safely. We will continue to share information as it becomes available and to strive to keep you and your family both informed and protected to the best of our ability.”
-Dr. Kirsten Carr
CSP COVID Updates:
We must all continue to do our best to do all we can to support our community by following the recommendations set forth by the CDC:
• Wear the appropriate PPE (mask/shield/gown) as instructed.
• Avoid touching your face.
• Washing Hands for 20 seconds with soap and water and use hand sanitizer.
• Social Distancing.
• Self-isolating if showing any signs or symptoms of COVID-19.
• Seek medical assistance as necessary.
I am on holiday August 4-11, 2021. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the campus administrators who will assist you in any way possible:
RSM: Vivian Villegas: 1-360-936-2694
HSCL/RJHC: Krista Mattox: 503-320-0807
With love, honor, and respect,
Kimberly Fuson, CEO Dr. Kirsten Carr, Medical Director
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF: August 2, 2021
Dear Colleagues, Residents, Families, and Friends,
This afternoon we learned that a SIHC care giver tested positive for COVID-19. Our staff member is experiencing mild symptoms, and quarantining at home at this time.
We have notified Public Health (OHA), the Oregon Department of Human Services Safety, Oversight and Quality Unit (DHS/SOQ) and the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) as required.
Please join me in sending positive thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovery.
As in all cases, contact tracing is performed.
July 29 and 30, 2021Robison Jewish Health Center/Harold Schnitzer Center for Living (RJHC/HSCL) AND Sinai In Home Care (SIHC) Testing Update:
RJHC/HSCL:
Until all RJHC/HSCL results received, we will continue the following protocols:
Staff: N95 masks and shields.
Visitation: Indoor visitation is limited to compassionate care.
Outdoor visitation may continue.
Community Planned Group Activities: Limited to 10 participants if in the Goodman Living Room. Household-specific activity may include all 12 residents. All with CSP staff only. Volunteers suspended at this time.
We must all continue to do our best to do all we can to support our community by following the recommendations set forth by the CDC:
• Wear the appropriate PPE (mask/shield/gown) as instructed.
• Avoid touching your face.
• Washing Hands for 20 seconds with soap and water and use hand sanitizer.
• Social Distancing.
• Self-isolating if showing any signs or symptoms of COVID-19.
• Seek medical assistance as necessary.
Please know we are taking every step as recommended by authorities to contain the spread. We want to make residents, their families, and our dedicated staff aware of this situation and reassure everyone that we are on top of it.
Developments are changing day by day, minute by minute. Our focus remains on the health and well-being of our community. We must also recognize our team for the concern and commitment they have shown to our residents and one another during this challenging time. Our mission has never been more meaningful.
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact the campus administrators or me. We will assist you in any way possible.
HSCL/RJHC: Shannon Freeman, RN, DON (until August 4, 2021)
RSM: Vivian Villegas: 1-360-936-2694
Kimberly Fuson, Chief Executive Officer: 503-504-5277
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF: July 29, 2021
Dear Colleagues, Residents, Families, and Friends,
Over the past two weeks, we have experienced significant increases in positive incidences of COVID-19 cases nationally, internationally, and locally. The following is a summary of this week’s most important news to keep you informed:
1. Our nation’s healthcare trade associations and professional associations have joined together in sending a message to our nation’s capital calling for a continuum-wide vaccine mandate:
Healthcare providers across the country join together to support COVID vaccine mandate
Additional healthcare providers join in supporting a vaccine mandate
2. Israel is on the forefront of vaccination once again, initiating a third vaccine dose for citizens 60 and up:
Israelis age 60 and up get 3rd vaccine dose starting next week
3. According to the Oregon Health Authority (OHA), over the past two weeks, we’ve seen a ten-fold rise in positive incidence of the Delta variant in Oregon. The following excerpt is from OHA’s July 27, 2021 bulletin.
Please join me and the CSP team in being
“Masked Avengers” and wear your masks in all indoor public venues.
OHA recommends universal mask use for all public indoor settings
In response to a large jump in cases and hospitalizations and in alignment with new national guidance calling for masking measures to prevent the spread of the highly transmissible Delta variant, the OHA today is recommending universal mask use in public indoor settings throughout the state to protect people in Oregon from COVID-19.
“Today’s reported sharp rise in cases and hospitalizations in Oregon are sobering reminders that the pandemic is not over, especially for Oregonians who remain unvaccinated,” said Dr. Dean Sidelinger, state epidemiologist and state health officer.
“The highly contagious Delta variant has increased tenfold in the past two weeks in Oregon, and it is now estimated to be associated with 80% of the new cases in Oregon. The use of face masks provides significant protection for individuals who are unvaccinated as well as an additional level protection from a small but known risk of infection by the virus for persons who have already been vaccinated.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), people who are vaccinated with currently available vaccines are protected from the virus and the circulating variants, including the Delta variant that is now seen in the majority of Oregon’s new cases.
OHA’s recommendation aligns with the CDC’s new guidance issued today that everyone, including fully vaccinated persons, wear a mask in public indoor settings. OHA’s recommendation applies statewide, and not just areas with higher infections and high transmission, as cases have increased across the state in recent weeks due to the Delta variant.
OHA is continuing to call on local community and public health leaders, and businesses, to encourage vaccination and masking to prevent new outbreaks in areas of high transmission.
CSP COVID Updates
In addition to the vaccine, masking, hand hygiene, and limiting the size of indoor social gatherings continues to be our best defense:
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact the campus leadership or me. We will assist you in any way possible.
RSM: Vivian Villegas: 1-360-936-2694
HSCL/RJHC: Shannon Freeman, RN, Director of Nursing Services: 503-449-1895
With “masked” love, honor, and respect,
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
503-504-5277
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF: July 26, 2021
Dear Colleagues, Residents, Families, and Friends,
Due to the excellent rapid response of our staff and per the Department of Human Services:
Visitation: Indoor visitation may be resumed (within resident apartment).
Outdoor visitation may continue.
Community Planned Small Group Activities: May resume with volunteers.
Dining Services: Guest dining may resume.
CSP MASK TYPE AND SHIELD USE OVER THE NEXT 72 HOURS:
Staff: N95 masks and shields will continue.
N95 masks and shields will be made available to residents, guests, and volunteers.
Residents, families, guests, and volunteers: We request you be circumspect about visiting inside at this time.
We must all continue to do our best to do all we can to support our community by following the recommendations set forth by the CDC:
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact the campus administrators or me. We will assist you in any way possible.
HSCL/RJHC Administrator: Krista Mattox: 503-320-0807
RSM Administrator: Vivian Villegas: 1-360-936-2694
With love, honor, and respect,
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
503-504-5277
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF: July 24, 2021
Dear Colleagues, Residents, Families, and Friends,
This morning we learned a private duty caregiver at RSM tested positive for COVID-19. This caregiver and the resident served are both vaccinated. Our resident has tested negative at this time.
We have notified Public Health (OHA), the Oregon Department of Human Services Safety, Oversight and Quality Unit (DHS/SOQ) and the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) as required.
Please join me in sending positive thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovery.
We will initiate testing today for all staff and residents.
Out of an abundance of caution, per our Medical Director, Kirsten Carr, MD, the following protocols will be initiated due to this positive result:
Staff: N95 masks and shields will be issued.
Visitation: Indoor visitation is limited to compassionate care.
Outdoor visitation may continue.
Community Planned Group Activities: Limited to 10 participants with CSP staff only. Volunteers suspended at this time.
Dining Services: Resident dining only. Guest dining suspended at this time.
As in all cases, contact tracing is performed.
We must all continue to do our best to do all we can to support our community by following the recommendations set forth by the CDC:
Wear the appropriate PPE (mask/shield/gown) as instructed.
Please know we are taking every step as recommended by authorities to contain the spread. We want to make residents, their families, and our dedicated staff aware of this situation and reassure everyone that we are on top of it.
Developments are changing day by day, minute by minute. Our focus remains on the health and well-being of our community. We must also recognize our team for the concern and commitment they have shown to our residents and one another during this challenging time. Our mission has never been more meaningful.
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact the campus administrators or me. We will assist you in any way possible.
HSCL/RJHC Administrator: Krista Mattox: 503-320-0807
RSM Administrator: Vivian Villegas: 1-360-936-2694
With love, honor, and respect,
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
503-504-5277
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF: July 22, 2021 (second update)
Dear Colleagues, Residents, Families, and Friends,
We’ve been keeping a close eye on the increase in COVID-19 cases in Multnomah County. The current risk rate has risen to moderate. What does this mean for CSP?
What about High Holy Days?
To track what’s happening along with us, please click: OHA COVID Indicators
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact the campus administrators or me. We will assist you in any way possible.
HSCL/RJHC Administrator: Krista Mattox: 503-320-0807
RSM Administrator: Vivian Villegas: 1-360-936-2694
With love, honor, and respect,
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
503-504-5277
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF: July 22, 2021
Dear Colleagues, Residents, Families, and Friends,
In our quest to increase your knowledge and understanding and to support informed decision-making at CSP and in our wider community, am sharing the following article from John Hopkins to help us all better understand the facts about COVID-19 vaccines. This article was updated May 14, 2021:
COVID-19 Vaccines: Myth Versus Fact
Now that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has authorized vaccines for COVID-19, and their distribution has begun, Lisa Maragakis, M.D., M.P.H., senior director of infection prevention, and Gabor Kelen, M.D., director of the Johns Hopkins Office of Critical Event Preparedness and Response, review some common myths circulating about the vaccine and clear up confusion with reliable facts.
MYTH: The COVID-19 vaccine can affect women’s fertility.
FACT: The COVID-19 vaccine will not affect fertility. The truth is that the COVID-19 vaccine encourages the body to create copies of the spike protein found on the coronavirus’s surface. This “teaches” the body’s immune system to fight the virus that has that specific spike protein on it.
Confusion arose when a false report surfaced on social media, saying that the spike protein on this coronavirus was the same as another spike protein called syncitin-1 that is involved in the growth and attachment of the placenta during pregnancy. The false report said that getting the COVID-19 vaccine would cause a woman’s body to fight this different spike protein and affect her fertility. The two spike proteins are completely different and distinct, and getting the COVID-19 vaccine will not affect the fertility of women who are seeking to become pregnant, including through in vitro fertilization methods. During the Pfizer vaccine tests, 23 women volunteers involved in the study became pregnant, and the only one who suffered a pregnancy loss had not received the actual vaccine, but a placebo.
Getting COVID-19, on the other hand, can have potentially serious impact on pregnancy and the mother’s health. Learn more about coronavirus and pregnancy. Johns Hopkins Medicine encourages women to reach out to their medical providers to discuss other questions they have about COVID-19 as it relates to fertility or pregnancy.
MYTH: If I’ve already had COVID-19, I don’t need a vaccine.
FACT: People who have gotten sick with COVID-19 may still benefit from getting vaccinated. Due to the severe health risks associated with COVID-19 and the fact that re-infection with COVID-19 is possible, people may be advised to get a COVID-19 vaccine even if they have been sick with COVID-19 before.
There is not enough information currently available to say if or for how long people are protected from getting COVID-19 after they have had it (natural immunity). Early evidence suggests natural immunity from COVID-19 may not last very long, but more studies are needed to better understand this. Several subjects in the Pfizer trial who were previously infected got vaccinated without ill effects. Some scientists believe the vaccine offers better protection for coronavirus than natural infection.
MYTH: Researchers rushed the development of the COVID-19 vaccine, so its effectiveness and safety cannot be trusted.
FACT: Studies found that the two initial vaccines are both about 95% effective — and reported no serious or life-threatening side effects. There are many reasons why the COVID-19 vaccines could be developed so quickly. Here are just a few:
MYTH: Getting the COVID-19 vaccine means I can stop wearing my mask and taking coronavirus precautions.
FACT: On May 13, 2021, the CDC revised safety guidelines for those who are fully vaccinated against the coronavirus. The updated guidelines state that fully vaccinated people can resume activities without wearing a mask or physically distancing, except where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance.
The CDC continues to recommend that masks and physical distancing are required when going to the doctor’s office, hospitals or long-term care facilities.
MYTH: Getting the COVID-19 vaccine gives you COVID-19.
FACT: The vaccine for COVID-19 cannot and will not give you COVID-19. The two authorized mRNA vaccines instruct your cells to reproduce a protein that is part of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, which helps your body recognize and fight the virus, if it comes along. The COVID-19 vaccine does not contain the SARS-Co-2 virus, so you cannot get COVID-19 from the vaccine. The protein that helps your immune system recognize and fight the virus does not cause infection of any sort.
MYTH: The side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine are dangerous.
FACT: In April 2021, the CDC temporarily paused and then resumed use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Read full story.
The Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines can have side effects, but the vast majority are very short term —not serious or dangerous. The vaccine developers report that some people experience pain where they were injected; body aches; headaches or fever, lasting for a day or two. These are signs that the vaccine is working to stimulate your immune system. If symptoms persist beyond two days, you should call your doctor.
If you have allergies — especially severe ones that require you to carry an EpiPen — discuss the COVID-19 vaccine with your doctor, who can assess your risk and provide more information about if and how you can get vaccinated safely.
MYTH: The COVID-19 vaccine enters your cells and changes your DNA.
FACT: The COVID-19 vaccines are designed to help your body’s immune system fight the coronavirus. The messenger RNA from two of the first types of COVID-19 vaccines does enter cells, but not the nucleus of the cells where DNA resides. The mRNA does its job to cause the cell to make protein to stimulate the immune system, and then it quickly breaks down — without affecting your DNA.
MYTH: The messenger RNA technology used to make the COVID-19 vaccine is brand new.
FACT: The mRNA technology behind the new coronavirus vaccines has been in development for almost two decades. Vaccine makers created the technology to help them respond quickly to a new pandemic illness, such as COVID-19.
MYTH: The COVID-19 vaccine was developed with or contains controversial substances.
FACT: The first two COVID-19 vaccines to be authorized by the FDA contain mRNA and other, normal vaccine ingredients, such as fats (which protect the mRNA), salts, as well as a small amount of sugar. These COVID-19 vaccines were not developed using fetal tissue, and they do not contain any material, such as implants, microchips or tracking devices.
MYTH: Now that we have a vaccine for COVID-19, we can make vaccines for the common cold, HIV and other diseases.
FACT: The thousands of viruses that cause various diseases are very different. Many change (mutate) year by year, making it difficult to develop one vaccine that works for a long period of time.
Developing vaccines for some disease-causing viruses is tough. For example, the virus that causes HIV can hide and make itself undetectable by the human immune system, which makes creating a vaccine for it extremely difficult.
The common cold can be caused by any one of hundreds of different viruses, so a vaccine for just one of them would not be very effective.
For more info: 05142021 John Hopkins COVID Vaccine Myth vs Facts
CSP COVID Updates:
In addition to the vaccine, masking, hand hygiene, and limiting the size of indoor social gatherings continues to be our best defense:
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact the campus administrators or me. We will assist you in any way possible.
RSM: Vivian Villegas: 1-360-936-2694
HSCL/RJHC: Krista Mattox: 503-320-0807
With Love, Honor, and Respect,
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
503-504-5277
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF: July 16, 2021
Dear Colleagues, Residents, Families, and Friends,
In light of increasing COVID cases in Oregon and other parts of the country (07152021 LA Times), a gentle reminder of mindfulness in the spirit of love, honor, and respect feels appropriate.
While Governor Kate Brown lifted the remaining COVID restrictions for most of Oregon, mask requirements continue in specialized settings including health care. This means staff, visitor, volunteer, and resident masking continues at RSM and HSCL/RJHC.
We know that masking is not a natural phenomenon for us. I want to thank all our staff, residents, and families for your vigilance to date!
We are thrilled CSP has initiated small group activity (YAY!!!) that includes our wonderful contractors and volunteers. However, our ability to continue these programs that feed our spirits and souls relies on all of us diligently cooperating with masking, distancing, and hand sanitizing requirements.
GROUP ACTIVITY GUIDELINE REMINDER:
CSP COVID Updates:
In addition to the vaccine, masking, hand hygiene, and limiting the size of indoor social gatherings continues to be our best defense:
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact the campus administrators or me. We will assist you in any way possible.
RSM: Vivian Villegas: 1-360-936-2694
HSCL/RJHC: Krista Mattox: 503-320-0807
Good Shabbos,
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
503-504-5277
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF: July 9, 2021
Dear Colleagues, Residents, Families, and Friends,
Cedar Sinai Park is excited to share we are partnering with Holleran Consulting to assist us in deepening the culture of community and engagement throughout CSP.
The following white paper “Why Culture Matters in Senior Living” by Michele Holleran, Founder and CEO, appeared ever-so-timely yesterday in my weekly recommended professional reading list. Sharing to give insight into why CSP selected Holleran to continue this work with us. Enjoy!
Why Culture Matters in Senior Living
And of course as always:
CSP COVID Updates
In addition to the vaccine, masking, hand hygiene, and limiting the size of indoor social gatherings continues to be our best defense:
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
503-504-5277
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF: July 1, 2021
Dear Colleagues, Residents, Families, and Friends,
We must all continue to do our best to do all we can to support our community by following the recommendations set forth by the CDC:
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact the campus administrators or me. We will assist you in any way possible.
RSM: Vivian Villegas: 1-360-936-2694
RJHC/HSCL: Krista Mattox: 503-320-0807
With love, honor, and respect,
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
503-504-5277
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF: June 25, 2021
Dear Colleagues, Residents, Families, and Friends,
This is going to be one hot Shabbos! We at CSP want to be sure all our residents, staff, families, and friends are taking every measure to remain the “Cool Chatulot/Chatulim” (cats in Hebrew) we know you all are! Please review and follow the recommendations below from us and the Centers for Disease Control:
…And some really great news:
Beginning Monday June 28, 2021 at RSM:
And last but not least, we are thrilled to announce that CSP Adult Day Service Program will reopen Thursday July 01, 2021!
CSP COVID Testing Updates
We must all continue to do our best to do all we can to support our community by following the recommendations set forth by the CDC:
Please know we are taking every step as recommended by authorities to contain the spread. We want to make residents, their families, and our dedicated staff aware of this situation and reassure everyone that we are on top of it.
Developments are changing day by day, minute by minute. Our focus remains on the health and well-being of our community. We must also recognize our team for the concern and commitment they have shown to our residents and one another during this challenging time. Our mission has never been more meaningful.
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact the campus administrators or me. We will assist you in any way possible.
RSM: Vivian Villegas: 1-360-936-2694
RJHC/HSCL: Krista Mattox: 503-320-0807
With love, honor, and respect,
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
503-504-5277
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF: June 11, 2021
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
503-504-5277
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF: June 3, 2021
Dear Colleagues, Residents, Families, and Friends,
Over the past week, our state and country began to offer incentives to encourage more US citizens to get vaccinated against COVID-19. While confident this will increase the numbers of those vaccinated thus decreasing our exposure to another wave of coronavirus, it compels us at CSP to take this opportunity to thank those staff, residents, families, volunteers, and community members who led the charge to receive the vaccine in the earliest and possibly darkest days of the pandemic.
While we continue to move forward in the USA, it is scary to learn that as of early May, less than eight percent of the world’s population had received dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. In order for us to beat this pandemic, we must make a global commitment to vaccine equity.
This week, I share an article that speaks to the dire importance of vaccine equity by Sue Halpern, staff writer at The New Yorker: 06032021 New Yorker The Peril of Not Vaccinating the World
CSP COVID Updates
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact the campus administrators or me. We will assist you in any way possible.
RSM: Vivian Villegas: 1-360-936-2694
HSCL/RJHC: Krista Mattox: 503-320-0807
With love, honor, and respect,
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
503-504-5277
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF: May 27, 2021
Dear Colleagues, Residents, Families, and Friends,
It is with sadness and concern that last night we learned a staff member at RSM tested positive for COVID-19. This staff member had recently received their second dose of vaccine prior to testing positive.
We have notified Public Health (OHA), the Oregon Department of Human Services Safety, Oversight and Quality Unit (DHS/SOQ) and the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) as required.
Please join me in sending positive thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovery.
We will initiate testing today for all staff and residents.
Staff: Out of an abundance of caution, per our infection control consultant, N95 and shields will be issued for the duration of this identified outbreak.
Residents and Families: Indoor visitation is limited to compassionate care.
Outdoor visitation may continue.
As in all cases, contact tracing is performed.
We must all continue to do our best to do all we can to support our community by following the recommendations set forth by the CDC:
Please know we are taking every step as recommended by authorities to contain the spread. We want to make residents, their families, and our dedicated staff aware of this situation and reassure everyone that we are on top of it.
Developments are changing day by day, minute by minute. Our focus remains on the health and well-being of our community. We must also recognize our team for the concern and commitment they have shown to our residents and one another during this challenging time. Our mission has never been more meaningful.
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact the campus administrators or me. We will assist you in any way possible.
RSM: Vivian Villegas: 1-360-936-2694
RJHC/HSCL: Krista Mattox: 503-320-0807
With love, honor, and respect,
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
503-504-5277
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF: May 21, 2021
Dear Colleagues, Residents, Families, and Friends,
Counting the days……20 to be exact! If you haven’t already rsvp’d:
Please join us as we look back on this last fiscal year, elect new trustees, and celebrate CSP’s amazing caregivers!
Meeting Agenda:
*Membership status applies to those who have donated to Cedar Sinai Park in any amount since July 1, 2020. Only members may vote at this Annual Meeting, but all members of the community are welcome to attend.
We look forward to “seeing” you there!
CSP COVID Updates:
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact the campus administrators or me. We will assist you in any way possible.
RSM: Vivian Villegas: 1-360-936-2694
HSCL/RJHC: Krista Mattox: 503-320-0807
With love, honor, and respect,
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
503-504-5277
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF: May 13, 2021 (Update II):
Dear Colleagues, Residents, Families, and Friends,
Hot off the press! Per the CDC: “Based on what we know about COVID-19 vaccines, people who have been fully vaccinated can start to do some things that they had stopped doing because of the pandemic.
Fully vaccinated people can resume activities without wearing a mask or physically distancing, except where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance.”
Please note: This latest update does NOT apply within healthcare settings such as Assisted Living (RSM) and Nursing Homes (HSCL/RJHC) at this time. We will communicate any changes in guidance from our state as we know more!
For the complete detail, please click on the links below:
CDC Update May 13, 2021 When You’ve Been Fully Vaccinated
These recommendations can help you make decisions about daily activities after you are fully vaccinated. They are not intended for healthcare settings:
CDC May 13, 2021 Safer Activity Guide
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact the campus administrators or me. We will assist you in any way possible.
RSM: Vivian Villegas: 1-360-936-2694
HSCL/RJHC: Krista Mattox: 503-320-0807
With love, honor, and respect,
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
503-504-5277
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF: May 13, 2021:
Dear Colleagues, Residents, Families, and Friends,
As more and more of us are vaccinated (the FDA approved the Pfizer vaccine for those 12-15 years old this week), the question whether and in what circumstance is it OK to hug has become paramount. We all know the holistic healing components of human touch… but is it “safe”?
While a bit long, sharing the following VERY COMPREHENSIVE article from freelance health writer Becky Upham (medically reviewed by Justin Laube, MD): https://www.everydayhealth.com/coronavirus/is-it-safe-to-hug-in-a-partially-vaccinated-world/
CSP COVID Testing Updates:
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact the campus administrators or me. We will assist you in any way possible.
RSM: Vivian Villegas: 1-360-936-2694
HSCL/RJHC: Krista Mattox: 503-320-0807
With love, honor, and respect,
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
503-504-5277
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF: May 6, 2021:
Dear Colleagues, Residents, Families, and Friends,
As the pandemic continues to swirl around and through us, it’s important to remember to take a moment to breathe; to appreciate the simple, yet deeply meaningful pleasures in our lives each and every day.
In the spirit of individual and collective celebration, I’d like to share the following article by Tova Payne, Life Coach, Ecotherapist and Intuitive Counselor:
5 Simple Ways to Celebrate The Everyday
Tova Payne
http://www.tovapayne.com/
CSP COVID Testing Updates
In addition to the vaccine, masking, hand hygiene, and
distancing continues to be our best defense:
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact the campus administrators or me. We will assist you in any way possible.
RSM: Vivian Villegas: 1-360-936-2694
HSCL/RJHC: Krista Mattox: 503-320-0807
With love, honor, and respect,
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
503-504-5277
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF: April 30, 2021:
Dear Colleagues, Residents, Families, and Friends,
Today is Lag B’Omer. Literally, the 33rd day of the Omer. The Omer is counted for 49 days between the end of Passover and the holiday of Shavuot (derived from the practice of counting the days from the barley offering at the Temple to the day of the wheat offering on Shavuot). The holiday celebrates a break in a plague that is said to have occurred during the days of Rabbi Akiva. The Talmud states that the great teacher of Jewish mysticism Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai died on Lag B’Omer. In modern times, the holiday has come to symbolize the resilience of the Jewish spirit.
Lag B’Omer is the one day during the 49 days of the Omer (which is considered to be a period of semi-mourning) in which celebrating is allowed. The most popular activity on the holiday is creating a bonfire. Other activities include having picnics and playing sports.
To many of us, the COVID-19 pandemic feels like an extended period of mourning. This week, especially, with Multnomah County moving to the “Extreme Risk” category and Governor Brown’s issuance of a 60 day state of emergency, may feel especially heavy.
True to the spirit of Lag B’Omer, we are going to share some light and joy from CSP. Residents, families, and staff have been asking in the wake of increasing cases what will happen with visitation, dining, and life-affirming programs and activities:
CSP will continue with indoor and outdoor visits, communal dining and group activities as long as the following criteria are met (compliments of best practices from the Department of Human Services (DHS), Oregon Health Authority (OHA), The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS), and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC)):
Current Portland Metro positivity rates per CMS:
CSP Resident Vaccination Rates:
On another positive note, I want to recognize RJHC/HSCL Administrator Krista Mattox and Director of Nursing Shannon Freeman, RN, for their excellence in the coordination and administration of CSP’s vaccine continuity program. We learned from Consonus (our contract pharmacy) this week that due to their efforts, CSP is in the top three communities across Oregon with a solid and consistent plan.
CSP COVID Testing Updates:
In addition to the vaccine, masking, hand hygiene, and
distancing continues to be our best defense:
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact the campus administrators or me. We will assist you in any way possible.
RSM: Vivian Villegas: 1-360-936-2694
HSCL/RJHC: Krista Mattox: 503-320-0807
Good Shabbos,
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
503-504-5277
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF: April 22, 2021:
Colleagues, Residents, Families, and Friends
This week I am privileged to once again write a guest column for CSP’s News Bulletin.
Today, I write to you with my Director of Communications hat on. The importance of clear and
consistent communications to our residents, their families, our community members, and our
donors, is critical to explaining our organizational “WHY” – Why your support matters. Why
we need and appreciate your investment in CSP.
And then there is a pandemic.
Our “why” expands even further to include, “Why do we employ certain protocols to keep our
residents and staff healthy and safe?” Our CEO, Kimberly Fuson, provided updates educating
us and allaying our fears this past year (at times daily) and keeping us in the loop regarding
all COVID matters – including infection control, testing, and now vaccine clinics for residents,
staff and their families.
Our beloved community members, Karen Blauer and Eddy Schuldman, brought Our Stories
to CSP, showcasing stories written by our residents and amazing authors in our community
that highlight the rich history, the present and the future of our collective and “Why there is
significance and meaning to having a Jewish home in Portland.”
We introduced a weekly News Bulletin and created a robust social media presence
showcasing the activities and religious offerings our wonderful Life Enrichment staff and
community volunteers have been providing “remotely” to mitigate the isolation of our
residents, while still keeping them all healthy and safe.
And now, thankfully, we are slowly opening up!
Our communications now include a targeted mailing within our community announcing that
NOW is a wonderful time to move to Rose Schnitzer Manor (RSM). Why move to RSM? Our
“Spring Move-In” campaign emphasizes the opportunity to live life to the fullest at any stage,
with as much support or independence as one needs. Our “why” showcases the love, honor
and respect provided to our loved ones (please share this unique opportunity to your friends!)
With spring comes new beginnings and with new beginnings, God willing, we look to the
future, with COVID in our rearview mirror. We feel hope in being able to be with our loved
ones and welcoming the community back into our midst!
Whether it’s reopening our Adult Day Services or joining Robison’s tea times, a drink at
Marcy’s Bar (which opens later in April), or purchasing fresh veggies or lunch at Cohn Café &
Marketplace – the excitement for the future is infectious.
And the future means welcoming back our dedicated volunteers to lead Shabbat services, the
RSM Choir, the Stop ‘N Shop store and more!
Here’s to our parents and those who gave of their hearts, souls and financial resources to
care for us – it is now our time to pay it forward. That is our “why.”
With love, honor, and respect,
Dru Rosenthal
Director of Development & Communications
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF: April 15, 2021:
Colleagues, Residents, Families, and Friends,
This week, I am honored to contribute to Kimberly’s weekly column. It’s been a month since our Heart is Where the Home Is Virtual Benefit and the generosity continues. We now have raised over $535,000 to support our residents at Cedar Sinai Park (CSP)!
Your support goes to offsetting the costs not covered by Medicaid, increased costs due to COVID, and providing for those who have outlived their means.
You truly are a blessing, and on behalf of all of at CSP, thank you. This quote from Rumi perfectly captures our appreciation for all of you:
“If you only say one prayer in a day, make it Thank You.” – Rumi
Special thanks to Elisa Klein who posted my colleague Grace Hollandsworth’s lovely story about our Benefit in this week’s Portland Society Page. CSP has not been in the Portland Society page since 2014! This is some nice publicity showcasing our residents, staff, and our generous community – that means YOU.
Enjoy this lovely weather and warm sunshine. Just another thing to be thankful for.
With love, honor, and respect,
Dru Rosenthal
Director of Development & Communications
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF: April 8, 2021:
Beloved Colleagues, Residents, Families, and Friends,
ONE YEAR LATER……
The past fourteen months have been the most challenging in the history of our community. Nothing could have prepared us for the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual shock of the COVID-19 pandemic.
For the residents, staff, families, trustees, and volunteers of Cedar Sinai Park, it has been an especially harrowing and often terrifying journey. Wondering…worrying, not if but when, despite our best efforts and following ever-changing regulations and guidelines, COVID-19 would penetrate the walls of our campus.
Now, with most of our residents and staff vaccinated, we look forward to the future. While the challenges are still many and daunting, I believe they remain within our reach.
As we continue to carefully open our doors, we experience the tremendous healing power of human touch and connection. Hugs are happening; laughter fills the halls; a lightness of being is returning.
And it is all due to each of YOU. I am grateful for the vital leadership of our trustees, the unbridled bravery and selfless dedication of our staff, the compassion and resilience of our residents, families, and volunteers and unprecedented continued support of our community.
Thank you for the privilege of serving together.
With love, honor, and respect,
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
503-504-5277
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF: April 2, 2021:
Dear Colleagues, Residents, Families, and Friends,
Chag Pesach Sameach and Happy Good Friday Colleagues, Residents, Families, and Friends,
We welcome Shabbat and come to the end of Pesach, with many blessings from the Department of Human Services (DHS):
Beginning Monday, April 5, 2021 Rose Schnitzer Manor (RSM) will initiate the following protocols:
Visitation: In apartment visitation open to all residents and visitors at all times in resident apartments, regardless of vaccination status:
Community-organized outings: May resume. Per DHS, “While a long-term care resident’s right to leave has always been maintained, it is important that residents remain vigilant regarding COVID-19 precautions and protocols while in the community.” This means please, please, please wear masks, exercise good hand hygiene and distancing (at least 6 feet).
Dining: The Newmark Dining Room is now open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner by reservation. Room Service dining will continue.
Beginning April 12, 2021, RSM is initiating Anytime Dining:
Once the dining rooms open, RSM will return to the pre-pandemic policy for ordering and charging for room service for those who choose to dine in.
The Cohn Café is re-opening June 1, 2021 with a new twist… Stay tuned.
PPE Requirement Changes for RSM Staff: Universal eye protection for staff members is now only required when one or more of the following criteria exists:
Universal masking continues to be required for all staff.
RJHC/HSCL: No changes to visitation, dining, activity, and PPE protocols at this time.
CSP COVID Testing Updates
Testing: March 24-31, 2021:
In addition to the vaccine, PPE, hand hygiene, and
distancing continues to be our best defense:
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact the campus administrators or me. We will assist you in any way possible.
RSM: Vivian Villegas: 1-360-936-2694
HSCL/RJHC: Krista Mattox: 503-320-0807
Good Shabbos,
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
503-504-5277
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF: March 24, 2021:
Dear Colleagues, Residents, Families, and Friends,
Wishing all an early Chag Pesach Sameach! My father shared the following video last weekend. Sharing this bit of nachas with all of you, in his honor and I know you all “get it” (it’s been 14 months since we’ve seen each other in person let alone hugged).
With love, memories of Pesach’s past and great hope and faith in our cautiously present and future togetherness:
On that note, because the Portland metro area’s positivity rate for COVID has been under 4% for the past several weeks, we decided to make seder in person (as well as virtual for those who aren’t yet comfortable gathering) at both Rose Schnitzer Manor Assisted Living and Robison Jewish Health Center/Harold Schnitzer Center For Living. We are blessed that our community responded so quickly and with such passion! Our phenomenal life enrichment and leadership staff have been specially assigned to each seder to assure all are appropriately distanced, disinfected, and PPE’d, of course! Oy vey!
Please join me in expressing deep gratitude to our beloved seder leaders:
In Person
Ronnie Schechter, RN
Ken Jones
Elise Brickner-Schulz
Kathy Hasson & Dan Schiff
Rabbi Sarah Rensin
Rabbi Barry Cohen
Virtual
Amy Shapiro & Jeff Olenick
Barbara Slader
CSP COVID Updates:
Vaccines:
We are pleased to share CSP is participating with Consonus Pharmacy for our vaccine continuity program. Beginning Wednesday, March 24, 2021, CSP will conduct vaccine clinics for new residents, new staff and any current residents and staff that opted out of our initial three vaccine clinics.
Vaccine Clinics will be held Wednesdays from 9:00am-noon at RJHC/HSCL for all staff. New resident vaccines will be given in the privacy of their individual suite/apartment.
At this time, we are able to obtain 24 doses of the Pfizer vaccine per week. Consonus is working to obtain the Moderna and Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) vaccines as well. We anticipate that more doses will be allotted to CSP as the vaccine distribution rate increases across the country.
Testing: March 8-23, 2021:
Visitation:
In addition to the vaccine, PPE, hand hygiene, and
distancing continues to be our best defense:
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact the campus administrators or me. We will assist you in any way possible.
RSM: Vivian Villegas: 1-360-936-2694
HSCL/RJHC: Krista Mattox: 503-320-0807
With love, honor, and respect,
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
503-504-5277
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF: March 16, 2021:
Kimberly Fuson (CEO), Cedar Sinai Park staff, and the Community Development Committee are grateful to everyone who attended and supported the “Heart Is Where the Home Is” Virtual Annual Benefit.
Together we raised over $520,000 to
love, honor, and respect the people
who live and work at CSP.
If you were not able to join us, please find a recording of the program HERE.
And check out our Facebook page for more updates and videos.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF: March 16, 2021:
Dear Colleagues, Residents, Families, and Friends,
Last night we confirmed a new staff member at RJHC/HSCL tested positive for COVID-19. Our new hire has not yet reported for duty on campus. Additionally, one of our caregivers at SIHC tested positive for COVID-19 as well. Neither are symptomatic.
We have notified Public Health (OHA), the Oregon Department of Human Services Safety, Oversight and Quality Unit (DHS/SOQ) and the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) as required.
Both staff members are quarantining at home per CDC guidelines. Please join me in sending positive thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovery.
As in all cases, contact tracing is performed.
We must all continue to do our best to do all we can to support our community by following the recommendations set forth by the CDC:
Please know we are taking every step as recommended by authorities to contain the spread. We want to make residents, their families, and our dedicated staff aware of this situation and reassure everyone that we are on top of it.
Developments are changing day by day, minute by minute. Our focus remains on the health and well-being of our community. We must also recognize our team for the concern and commitment they have shown to our residents and one another during this challenging time. Our mission has never been more meaningful.
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact the campus administrators or me. We will assist you in any way possible.
RJHC/HSCL: Krista Mattox: 503-320-0807
RSM: Vivian Villegas: 1-360-936-2694
With love, honor, and respect,
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
503-504-5277
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF: March 11, 2021:
Dear Colleagues, Residents, Families, and Friends,
It’s two days until Cedar Sinai Park’s Heart Is Where The Home Is Annual Benefit! We are thrilled to be hosting 310 guests thus far! There is room for many more, so if you haven’t already rsvp’d, please know we’d love to have you join us. We look forward to sharing an evening of haimische fun and joy!
We are also pleased to share that Kathy Thompson, CPA, our interim Finance Consultant, is joining CSP as our new CFO.
CSP COVID Updates:
Testing: Week March 1-7, 2021:
Together, let’s keep doing all we can to prevent the spread and shorten the duration of this pandemic:
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact the campus administrators or me. We will assist you in any way possible.
RSM: Vivian Villegas: 1-360-936-2694
HSCL/RJHC: Krista Mattox: 503-320-0807
With love, honor, and respect,
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
503-504-5277
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF: March 5, 2021:
Dear Colleagues, Residents, Families, and Friends,
We are pleased to share that the COVID-19 initial vaccine clinics at CSP and in our affordable housing communities downtown are almost complete. On our Boundary Street Campus, including Kehillah, a total of 97% of residents and 73% of staff will have been vaccinated after RSM’s third vaccine clinic on March 22, 2021. In our affordable housing communities 71% of residents and 77% of staff are vaccinated.
CSP continues to provide education and information regarding the COVID-19 vaccine to residents and staff. While the CSP team has done a remarkable job and continues to provide education and information about the vaccine, we did hope for 100% participation (aside from those residents and staff who for medical reasons were not able to be immunized).
We are awaiting final guidance from our pharmacy partners regarding post-clinic vaccine availability and process, including the brand/type of vaccine, to provide ongoing vaccinations for new residents and staff as well as for those not currently immunized who may change their minds.
Today’s article in the New Yorker gives interesting perspective regarding initial resistance to the COVID-19 vaccine: The Vaccine Resisters
CSP COVID Testing: Week February 22-29, 2021:
Together, let’s keep doing all we can to prevent the spread and shorten the duration of this pandemic:
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact the campus administrators or me. We will assist you in any way possible.
RSM: Vivian Villegas: 1-360-936-2694
HSCL/RJHC: Krista Mattox: 503-320-0807
Good Shabbos,
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
503-504-5277
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF: February 25, 2021:
This week’s news is the “Whole Megillah”! We are happy to share that as of this afternoon, both RSM and RJHC/HSCL’s Executive Orders have been rescinded!
Staff: This means that we can return to KN95 or paper surgical masking with our protective eyewear/shields!
Residents and Families: This means that your administrators and their teams will be reaching out to you to share dates and processes for visitation, small group activity, and small group dining.
New: Indoor Visitation Program: In addition to compassionate care visits, while there are no active cases of COVID-19 on campus and as county positivity rates dictate, an additional 5 residents (5 at RJHC/HSCL and 5 at RSM) can entertain up to two visitors in person, in the privacy of their apartment/suite. Administrators and their teams will be communicating specific scheduling processes to residents and families directly.
Visitors must be able to adhere to the core principles of symptom screening on entry including handwashing, appropriate use of PPE, and other infection control protocols.
Per DHS, OHA, and Public Health, CSP staff must provide monitoring for those who may have difficulty adhering to core principles, such as children.
Note: CSP will rapid-test all indoor visitors prior to visiting at this time.
CSP COVID Testing: Week February 15-21, 2021:
All staff who tested positive have recovered and returned to service at CSP!
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact the campus administrators or me. We will assist you in any way possible.
RSM: Vivian Villegas: 1-360-936-2694
HSCL/RJHC: Krista Mattox: 503-320-0807
With love, honor, and respect,
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
503-504-5277
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF: February 18, 2021:
Dear Colleagues, Residents, Families, and Friends,
We weathered the weather at CSP! Deep gratitude and thanks to CSP staff for turning this past weekend’s snow and ice storm into a fun event, despite the challenges. This
speaks to the invincible spirits of our team and residents!
Bless you all for your sense of humor, dedication, and love for our residents and one another!
We’ve been awaiting further guidance regarding the use of two masks. From the most recent and limited Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Study:
https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/70/wr/mm7007e1.htm?s_cid=mm7007e1_x
And a good article from the Philadelphia Inquirer:
https://www.inquirer.com/philly-tips/double-masking-covid19-how-to-layer-20210215.html
The bottom line:
On the CSP Forefront:
CSP COVID Testing: Week February 8-14, 2021:
Our staff who tested positive last week are recuperating at home under the care of their physician.
Together, let’s keep doing all we can to prevent the spread and shorten the duration of this pandemic:
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact the campus administrators or me. We will assist you in any way possible.
RSM: Vivian Villegas: 1-360-936-2694
HSCL/RJHC: Krista Mattox: 503-320-0807
Wishing All a Sweet Shabbos,
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
503-504-5277
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF: February 11:
Dear Colleagues, Residents, Families, and Friends,
The Weekly Bulletin provides our community with news from CSP, stories about our residents and staff, and resources that might be helpful for our community. It’s a way we can keep you up-to-date with all that is happening as part of our family!
This week, I present as guest columnist our delightful Dru Rosenthal, Director of Development & Communications:
February, the month of love, reminds us to join together and celebrate the love of our family, friends and community.
But with love comes gratitude. To witness first hand the love and commitment to our parents, whether they are ours or not, is evident from the support you provide. You continue to be here for us, answering our call throughout this pandemic, ensuring we keep our residents and staff healthy and safe. You are here for us as we prepare for CSP’s future.
And, as we get ready for CSP’s “Heart is Where the Home Is” Annual (virtual) Benefit on Saturday, March 13, 6:30pm 😊, I am touched by the outpouring of support from our sponsors and those who are participating in our Mitzvah Moment. The evening promises to be heartwarming and enlightening, not to mention fun!
Please join us to learn how YOUR good works are making a difference in the lives of our residents and how impactful and critical your continued support is to Cedar Sinai Park. Our parents took care of us. And caring for those who once cared for us is the highest honor. If you haven’t already RSVP’d, please join us today for our “Heart is Where the Home Is” (Saturday, March 13, 6:30pm)!
RSVP Here: https://cedarsinaipark.org/giving/benefit/
Make a MITZVAH MOMENT Gift Here: https://cedarsinaipark.org/giving/annual-benefit-mitzvah-moment-gift-rsvp-form/
This brings us full circle to the beginning of my column. With love comes gratitude. And I am grateful beyond words, for all of you. Now if only I can see you in person and give you a big hug!
With love, honor, and respect,
Kimberly Fuson & Dru Rosenthal
CEO & Director of Development & Communications
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF: February 10, 2021 (Update II):
Dear Colleagues, Residents, Families, and Friends,
Today we learned that one of our beloved staff members at RJHC/HSCL tested positive for COVID-19. We have notified Public Health (OHA), the Oregon Department of Human Services Safety, Oversight and Quality Unit (DHS/SOQ) and the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) as required.
Both are recuperating at home under the care of their respective physicians. Please join me in keeping both in our thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovery.
Per OHA, resident testing will be continued for the next two weeks
in addition to our weekly staff testing.
Outdoor visitation and small group activities are suspended at this time
and the opening of the Newmark Dining Room is postponed.
Staff: Please resume the use of N95 masks at this time in addition
to the protective eyewear.
As in all cases, contact tracing is performed.
We must all continue to do our best to do all we can to support our community by following the recommendations set forth by the CDC:
Please know we are taking every step as recommended by authorities to contain the spread. We want to make residents, their families, and our dedicated staff aware of this situation and reassure everyone that we are on top of it.
Developments are changing day by day, minute by minute. Our focus remains on the health and well-being of our community. We must also recognize our team for the concern and commitment they have shown to our residents and one another during this challenging time. Our mission has never been more meaningful.
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact the campus administrators or me. We will assist you in any way possible.
RSM: Vivian Villegas: 1-360-936-2694
RJHC/HSCL: Krista Mattox: 503-320-0807
With love, honor, and respect,
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
503-504-5277
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF: February 10, 2021:
Dear Colleagues, Residents, Families, and Friends,
Today we learned that a private duty caregiver and staff member at RSM both tested positive for COVID-19. We have notified Public Health (OHA), the Oregon Department of Human Services Safety, Oversight and Quality Unit (DHS/SOQ) and the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) as required.
Both are recuperating at home under the care of their respective physicians. Please join me in keeping both in our thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovery.
Per OHA, resident testing will be continued for the next two weeks
in addition to our weekly staff testing.
Outdoor visitation and small group activities are suspended at this time
and the opening of the Newmark Dining Room is postponed.
Staff: Please resume the use of N95 masks at this time in addition
to the protective eyewear.
As in all cases, contact tracing is performed.
We must all continue to do our best to do all we can to support our community by following the recommendations set forth by the CDC:
Please know we are taking every step as recommended by authorities to contain the spread. We want to make residents, their families, and our dedicated staff aware of this situation and reassure everyone that we are on top of it.
Developments are changing day by day, minute by minute. Our focus remains on the health and well-being of our community. We must also recognize our team for the concern and commitment they have shown to our residents and one another during this challenging time. Our mission has never been more meaningful.
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact the campus administrators or me. We will assist you in any way possible.
RSM: Vivian Villegas: 1-360-936-2694
RJHC/HSCL: Krista Mattox: 503-320-0807
With love, honor, and respect,
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
503-504-5277
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF: January 29, 2021:
Dear Colleagues, Residents, Families, and Friends,
Today we learned that one of our beloved staff members at RSM tested positive for COVID-19. We have notified Public Health (OHA), the Oregon Department of Human Services Safety, Oversight and Quality Unit (DHS/SOQ) and the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) as required.
Our staff member has no symptoms and is recuperating at home.
Per OHA, testing has been initiated for all staff and residents.
Outdoor visitation and small group activities are suspended at this time
and the opening of the Newmark Dining Room is postponed.
As in all cases, contact tracing is performed.
We must all continue to do our best to do all we can to support our community by following the recommendations set forth by the CDC:
Please know we are taking every step as recommended by authorities to contain the spread. We want to make residents, their families, and our dedicated staff aware of this situation and reassure everyone that we are on top of it.
Developments are changing day by day, minute by minute. Our focus remains on the health and well-being of our community. We must also recognize our team for the concern and commitment they have shown to our residents and one another during this challenging time. Our mission has never been more meaningful.
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact the campus administrators or me. We will assist you in any way possible.
RSM: Vivian Villegas: 1-360-936-2694
RJHC/HSCL: Krista Mattox: 503-320-0807
With love, honor, and respect,
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
503-504-5277
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF: January 28, 2021:
Dear Colleagues, Residents, Families, and Friends,
The Biden Administration’s first two goals of their COVID-19 response strategy are to “restore trust with the American people” and to “mount a safe, effective, comprehensive vaccination campaign.”
The Biden Administration’s mission is to engage both public and private sectors in addressing vaccine hesitancy and countering mis- and disinformation with messages “anchored by science and fact-based public health guidance.” Special attention will focus on diverse, high-risk and hard-to-reach populations, delivering information via “trusted local messengers” and simplifying the vaccination process while reinforcing basic COVID-19 prevention measures.
On a local and CSP level, while the vaccine gives us all added hope, the process of vaccination has created many questions. In collaboration with Kirsten Carr, MD, CSP’s Medical Director, we offer the best knowledge we have to date:
1. When and where will I get a vaccine if I don’t live in senior living or affordable housing and am not a healthcare worker (paid or unpaid) or teacher?
As we know, Kaiser Permanente, Legacy, Providence, and OHSU have pooled their current vaccine allocation and have initiated clinics at the Oregon Convention Center. There are other clinics outside of Multnomah County as well. Most people will receive the vaccine through a clinic of this nature, pharmacy (Walgreen’s or CVS) or physician office.
We’ve learned that some of our community are very creative and have found ways to receive the vaccine, even though they are not part of the 1a group. For the safety of all, we encourage everyone to support the process as it exists in Oregon today, despite its challenges. Timing depends on the amount of vaccine available, then organization, distribution, and administration once more doses are received in our state.
The Oregon vaccine sign up website is still the best bet (yes, the system crashes, oy vey, but please keep trying): https://covidvaccine.oregon.gov/
To learn who is eligible and when: https://sharedsystems.dhsoha.state.or.us/DHSForms/Served/le3527A.pdf
2. How will new residents and staff get vaccinated if they have not been, after the vaccine clinics are completed at CSP?
Long-term care providers are working with our other health care compadres, pharmacies, trade associations and government agencies such as the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and Department of Human Services (DHS) to determine next steps. Stay tuned.
3. Will CSP be able to host vaccine clinics for staff and resident families, trustees and other volunteers?
We are exploring the possibilities as part of the next step determination above. Stay tuned.
4. Can CSP residents resume regular activity and socializing once vaccinated?/ Can I visit my loved one at CSP once I’m vaccinated?/Can I host gatherings in my home once I’m vaccinated?
We are still bound by risk category based on the rate of positivity in our county. At this time, with the blessing of both OHA and DHS, RJHC/HSCL and RSM may resume outdoor visitation, small group dining and activities. Compassionate care visits continue indoors.
As we’ve shared time and time again, the real ticket to return to our society’s previous standard of quality of life is TIME, MASKING, SOCIAL DISTANCING, and WASHING/SANITIZING HANDS. Our choices now as individuals within the CSP and greater community will have a profound impact on the duration of our separation.
It is my hope and prayer that by Rosh Hashanah, we will be able to experience a bit more togetherness. But, Dr. Carr is correct: “It is very realistic that it will take up to two years for us to move into a phase of control over this virus where we are able to interact in a way that seems “normal” again.”
5. Will the variants of the virus we’re hearing about affect the effectiveness of the vaccine?
So far, it appears the vaccines currently available from Pfizer and Moderna are effective against the new variants. Because viruses have a short life, they are able to evolve quite quickly. The strongest viruses will be the ones that are slightly different than our current immunity. As those stronger and variant strains survive, our treatments to prevent them may not work.
So, the best defense is a great offense – we must get as many people immunized to get the infection rate as low as possible to prevent further mutations of this virus to propagate.
6. Will testing still occur routinely at CSP?
Yes. As stated above, long-term care staff (and residents when applicable), will be tested routinely based on the risk category based on the rate of positivity in our county. At this time, that is weekly.
7. What is the update on masking for the general community outside of healthcare?
The guidance as it stands is for the community at large to wear at least two-ply cotton masks and limit time in stores including the grocery store.
8. What about monoclonal and other antibody therapies for those who test positive?
There are studies showing promise from both Eli Lilly and Regeneron, but neither take the place of vaccination!!
https://www.mcknights.com/news/clinical-news/new-weapon-in-our-arsenal-antibody-drug-cuts-covid-risk-by-80-percent-in-ltc-residents/
On the CSP Forefront:
On behalf of all CSP staff, deep gratitude to Marc Blattner and
Federation for the generous gift of $100 for each employee.
This is a true expression of Gemilut Hasadim, of loving kindness.
CSP COVID Testing: Week of January 18-24, 2021:
No new positive results to date at RSM, RJHC/HSCL or within SIHC.
Testing in process for week of January 25-31, 2021.
Most staff who tested positive in the recent past have recovered and returned to work. Please join me in sending healing energy to those beloved team members who continue to recuperate at home under the supervision of their physician.
…And please, let’s keep doing all we can to prevent the spread and shorten the duration of this pandemic:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/recommendations.html
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact the campus administrators or me. We will assist you in any way possible.
RSM: Vivian Villegas: 1-360-936-2694
HSCL/RJHC: Krista Mattox: 503-320-0807
With love, honor, and respect,
Kimberly Fuson Kirsten Carr, MD
Chief Executive Officer Medical Director
503-504-5277
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF: January 21, 2021:
Dear Colleagues, Residents, Families, and Friends,
As Nina Simone crooned in 1965, “It’s a new dawn, It’s a new day, It’s a new life”…and we’re feeling good! https://www.youtube.com/watch/oHs98TEYecM
Hope everyone experienced at least part of yesterday’s inauguration. Events were evidence of our nation’s hope, opportunity, possibility, resilience, and strength.
The same is true at Cedar Sinai Park (CSP). Amid the pandemic, our staff and trustees have been collaborating on strategic issues to revitalize and rejuvenate CSP. Now that the plan has shape, we are working on priorities and schedules. Once complete, we look forward to sharing the plan, seeking your input and best thinking.
On the CSP Forefront:
This week we’ve completed the second COVID-19 vaccine clinic at Robison Jewish Health Center, Harold Schnitzer Center for Living, and first round vaccines for our amazing Kehillah House! We’ve also begun to receive COVID-19 vaccine dates for our downtown affordable housing communities, Rose Schnitzer Tower, Park Tower, The Lexington and The 1200 Building.
We anticipate all CSP tenants, residents and staff will be vaccinated by March 30, 2021!
As President Biden shared yesterday, this is perhaps the most dangerous time of the pandemic we’ve experienced yet. It is imperative to follow CDC recommendations, even after vaccination, until enough of the population is vaccinated and the virus contained:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/recommendations.html
CSP COVID Testing: Week of January 11-17, 2021:
No new positive results to date at RSM, RJHC/HSCL or within SIHC.
Testing in process for week of January 18-24, 2021.
Most staff who tested positive in the recent past have recovered and returned to work. Please join me in sending healing energy to those beloved team members who continue to recuperate at home under the supervision of their physician.
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact the campus administrators or me. We will assist you in any way possible.
RSM: Vivian Villegas: 1-360-936-2694
HSCL/RJHC: Krista Mattox: 503-320-0807
With love, honor, and respect,
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
503-504-5277
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF: January 15, 2021:
Dear Colleagues, Residents, Families, and Friends,
We are beyond pleased to share vaccine clinic dates for Rose Schnitzer Manor (RSM) were received late yesterday afternoon from Omnicare/CVS, RSM’s contract pharmacy:
Monday February 08, 2021
Monday March 01, 2021
Monday March 22, 2021
RSM Administrator Vivian Villegas, Assistant Administrator Polina Munblit-Gregg, MBA, Health Services Director Aaron Diester, MBA, CSP Director of Human Resources, Geneva Dougal, PHR, along with the RSM leadership team are reaching out directly to residents, families, and staff to initiate education so all can make an informed decision as expeditiously as possible.
Note: Clinic schedules are tied to best information available at this time, and are subject to change.
Those vaccinated at RJHC/HSCL’s first clinic, December 29, 2020, are doing well. Aside from sore arms at the vaccination site, one person reported a headache for a few hours and one person reported experiencing feeling poorly for a day.
Upcoming RJHC/HSCL vaccine clinic dates:
Tuesday January 19, 2021
Tuesday February 09, 2021
For those receiving the second dose January 19, 2021, please remember you MUST bring your vaccination record card to the clinic to receive the vaccine.
Again, although the vaccine is not mandated, it is one of the most important steps we can take to ending this horrible pandemic. Education and transparency about the vaccine safety and effectiveness is essential to encouraging vaccination to protect one another, our front-line healthcare workers, residents, patients, and clients.
Please remember we will still need to follow CDC recommendations, even after vaccination, until enough of the population is vaccinated and the virus contained:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/recommendations.html
CSP COVID Testing: Week of January 11-17, 2021:
No new positive results to date at RSM, RJHC/HSCL or within SIHC.
Most staff who tested positive in the recent past have recovered and returned to work. Please join me in sending healing energy to those beloved team members who continue to recuperate at home under the supervision of their physician.
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact the campus administrators or me. We will assist you in any way possible.
RSM: Vivian Villegas: 1-360-936-2694
HSCL/RJHC: Krista Mattox: 503-320-0807
Wishing all a warm and loving Shabbos,
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
503-504-5277
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF: January 12, 2021:
Dear Colleagues, Residents, Families, and Friends,
We are pleased to share that as a result of updated information from the Oregon Health Authority regarding Oregon’s phase 1a vaccine sequencing plan, Consonus, Robison’s contract pharmacy, was able to add Kehillah tenants and their unpaid (family) caregivers to Robison’s remaining two vaccine clinics, Tuesday, January 19, 2021 and Tuesday, February 09, 2021 respectively. RJHC/HSCL nurses will administer the vaccine at Kehillah.
We are awaiting confirmation of vaccine clinic dates for RSM’s contract pharmacy, Omnicare, the long-term care pharmacy component of CVS. RSM leadership is preparing ahead to assure smooth clinics. Omnicare/CVS will provide the clerical and clinical individuals to track and administer the vaccine. Residents, staff and families will receive direct communication from RSM leadership as soon as we have more information.
CSP COVID Testing: Week of January 4-10, 2021:
No new positive results to date at RSM, RJHC/HSCL or within SIHC.
CSP COVID Testing: Week of January 11-17, 2021: In process
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact the campus administrators or me. We will assist you in any way possible.
HSCL/RJHC: Krista Mattox: 503-320-0807
RSM: Vivian Villegas: 1-360-936-2694
With hope, love, honor, and respect,
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
503-504-5277
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF: January 7, 2021:
Dear Colleagues, Residents, Families, and Friends,
Given the nation’s events since our last communication, here’s a moment of quiet reflection:
“There is a saying in Tibetan, ‘Tragedy should be used as a source of strength.’ No
matter what sort of difficulties, how painful experience is,
if we lose our hope, that’s our real disaster.”
~ Dalai Lama XIV
CSP COVID Testing: Week of January 4-10, 2021:
Testing in process cross-campus; no new negative results.
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact the campus administrators or me. We will assist you in any way possible.
RJHC/HSCL: Krista Mattox: 503-320-0807
RSM: Vivian Villegas: 1-360-936-2694
With love, honor, and respect,
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
503-504-5277
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF: January 5, 2021:
Dear Colleagues, Residents, Families, and Friends,
Today we learned that one of our wonderful staff members at RJHC/HSCL tested positive for COVID-19. We have notified Public Health (OHA), the Oregon Department of Human Services Safety, Oversight and Quality Unit (DHS/SOQ) and the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) as required.
Our staff member has no symptoms and is recuperating at home. Please join me in continuing to keep all our staff members with COVID-19 in your healing prayers.
We are pleased to share that yesterday afternoon, the Executive Order at RSM was rescinded. The team will resume scheduled outdoor visitation January 9, 2021. Indoor visitation will be initiated when our county’s risk factor lowers. Please remember visits must be scheduled 72 hours in advance: https://calendly.com/roseschnitzermanor/outdoorvisits
Testing Update:
RJHC/HSCL:
Staff: Positive as identified above; 4 results pending
Residents: All rapid testing completed Sunday evening with all results negative for COVID-19.
As in all cases, contact tracing is performed.
The next few weeks will continue to be most dangerous due to the holidays and choices people make regarding gathering.
Please do all you can to support our community by following the recommendations set forth by the CDC:
Please know we are taking every step as recommended by authorities to contain the spread. We want to make residents, their families, and our dedicated staff aware of this situation and reassure everyone that we are on top of it.
Developments are changing day by day, minute by minute. Our focus remains on the health and well-being of our community. We must also recognize our team for the concern and commitment they have shown to our residents and one another during this challenging time. Our mission has never been more meaningful.
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact the campus administrators or me. We will assist you in any way possible.
RJHC/HSCL: Krista Mattox: 503-320-0807
RSM: Vivian Villegas: 1-360-936-2694
With love, honor, and respect,
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
503-504-5277
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF: January 3, 2021:
Dear Colleagues, Residents, Families, and Friends,
Today we learned that two of our cherished staff members at RJHC/HSCL tested positive for COVID-19. We have notified Public Health (OHA), the Oregon Department of Human Services Safety, Oversight and Quality Unit (DHS/SOQ) and the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) as required.
One staff member has no symptoms and the other, mild symptoms. Both staff members are recuperating at home. Rapid testing of all RJHC/HSCL residents is in progress. Please join me in keeping all our staff members with COVID-19 in your healing prayers.
As in all cases, contact tracing is performed.
Testing Update:
RJHC/HSCL:
Staff: Positives as identified above; awaiting 47 results
Residents: No results received yet from last week’s testing. Today’s rapid testing in progress.
RSM:
Staff: No new positive results for staff.
Residents: All resident results negative (6 residents declined testing).
SIHC:
Staff: All negative.
The next few weeks will continue to be the most dangerous due to the holidays and choices people make regarding gathering.
Please do all you can to support our community by following the recommendations set forth by the CDC:
Please know we are taking every step as recommended by authorities to contain the spread. We want to make residents, their families, and our dedicated staff aware of this situation and reassure everyone that we are on top of it.
Developments are changing day by day, minute by minute. Our focus remains on the health and well-being of our community. We must also recognize our team for the concern and commitment they have shown to our residents and one another during this challenging time. Our mission has never been more meaningful.
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact the campus administrators or me. We will assist you in any way possible.
RJHC/HSCL: Krista Mattox: 503-320-0807
RSM: Vivian Villegas: 1-360-936-2694
With love, honor, and respect,
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
503-504-5277
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF: December 30, 2020:
Dear Colleagues, Residents, Families, and Friends,
Yesterday, 81 staff and 57 residents received their first dose of the Pfizer vaccine at Robison Jewish Health Center/Harold Schnitzer Center for Living’s first COVID-19 vaccine clinic! We are so very proud of our Administrator Krista Mattox, Director of Nursing Shannon Freeman and their nursing team! Special shout out to our RN Consultant Patti Garibaldi for her collaboration with the team to make this first clinic a success!
Please see our Facebook page for fun photos of the day!
https://www.facebook.com/CedarSinaiPark
CSP COVID Testing: Bi-Weekly Testing Update:
No new positive results cross-campus!
As of this week, due to a decrease in cases in Multnomah County over the previous 4 weeks, we have returned to weekly testing for staff at both RSM and RJHC/HSCL.
Our dear staff who have tested positive continue to recuperate at home.
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact the campus administrators or me. We will assist you in any way possible.
HSCL/RJHC: Krista Mattox: 503-320-0807
RSM: Vivian Villegas: 1-360-936-2694
Let us welcome 2021 together with hope, open hearts, minds, and souls.
I DWELL IN POSSIBILITY
~Emily Dickinson
With great love, honor, and respect,
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
503-504-5277
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF: December 22, 2020 (Update II):
Dear Colleagues, Residents, Families, and Friends,
One of my dearest friends sent me the following poem this week. It seems so fitting to share right here and right now, as we initiate the coronavirus vaccine around the globe and at Robison Jewish Health Center/Harold Schnitzer Center for Living, and continue ever hopeful, walking toward the light:
Blessing for the Longest Night
All throughout these months
as the shadows
have lengthened,
this blessing has been
gathering itself,
making ready,
preparing for
this night.
It has practiced
walking in the dark,
traveling with
its eyes closed,
feeling its way
by memory
by touch
by the pull of the moon
even as it wanes.
So believe me
when I tell you
this blessing will
reach you
even if you
have not light enough
to read it;
it will find you
even though you cannot
see it coming.
You will know
the moment of its
arriving
by your release
of the breath
you have held
so long;
a loosening
of the clenching
in your hands,
of the clutch
around your heart;
a thinning
of the darkness
that had drawn itself
around you.
This blessing
does not mean
to take the night away
but it knows
its hidden roads,
knows the resting spots
along the path,
knows what it means
to travel
in the company
of a friend.
So when
this blessing comes,
take its hand.
Get up.
Set out on the road
you cannot see.
This is the night
when you can trust
that any direction
you go,
you will be walking
toward the dawn.
© Jan Richardson from The Cure for Sorrow: A Book of Blessings for Times of Grief.
janrichardson.com
With love, honor, and respect,
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
503-504-5277
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF: December 22, 2020 (Update II):
Dear Colleagues, Residents, Families, and Friends,
Last night we learned that another of our cherished staff members at RSM tested positive for COVID-19. We have notified Public Health (OHA), the Oregon Department of Human Services Safety, Oversight and Quality Unit (DHS/SOQ) and the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) as required.
As in all cases, contact tracing is performed.
RJHC/HSCL, RSM and SIHC Bi-Weekly Staff Testing Update:
December 13-19: Testing complete. Positive results as identified. Both RJHC/HSCL and RSM remain under Executive Order. This means outdoor visitation, small group activity and small group dining are suspended at this time.
December 20-26: Bi-weekly testing: In process.
Our dear staff who have tested positive continue to recuperate at home.
RJHC/HSCL Resident Testing Due to 12/19/20 Staff Positive:
All residents tested negative. We continue to monitor all residents each shift for coronavirus signs/symptoms.
RSM Resident Testing Due to New Staff Positives:
Resident testing complete; results pending; one resident declined testing and is self-quarantining. We continue to monitor all residents each shift for coronavirus signs/symptoms.
We must all continue to do our best to do all we can to support our community by following the recommendations set forth by the CDC:
Please know we are taking every step as recommended by authorities to contain the spread. We want to make residents, their families, and our dedicated staff aware of this situation and reassure everyone that we are on top of it.
Developments are changing day by day, minute by minute. Our focus remains on the health and well-being of our community. We must also recognize our team for the concern and commitment they have shown to our residents during this challenging time. Our mission has never been more meaningful.
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact the campus administrators or me. We will assist you in any way possible.
RSM: Vivian Villegas: 1-360-936-2694
RJHC/HSCL: Krista Mattox: 503-320-0807
With love, honor, and respect,
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
503-504-5277
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF: December 22, 2020:
Dear Colleagues, Residents, Families, and Friends,
We are pleased to share that yesterday afternoon we received the following update from Consonus Pharmacy regarding the dates of RJHC/HSCL COVID-19 vaccine clinics:
Clinic One: Tuesday December 29, 2020
Clinic Two: Tuesday January 19, 2021
Clinic Three: Tuesday February 9, 2021
Per Consonus, our “Clinic Schedules are tied to best information available at this time, and are subject to change. COVID-19 Vaccine Supply is tied to a complex distribution chain, with multiple factors and public health entities influencing available supply.”
TODAY, RJHC/HSCL Administrator Krista Mattox, Director of Nursing Shannon Freeman, RN and CSP Director of Human Resources Geneva Dougal, PHR along with the RJHC/HSCL leadership team will reach out directly to residents, families and staff to initiate education so all can make an informed decision as expeditiously as possible.
Note: Staff who work across campus will be included in RJHC/HSCL vaccine clinics.
Again, although the vaccine is not mandated, it is one of the most important steps we can take to ending this horrible pandemic. Education and transparency about the vaccine safety and effectiveness is essential to encouraging vaccination to protect our front-line healthcare workers, residents, patients, and clients.
Please remember we will still need to follow CDC recommendations, even after vaccination, until enough of the population is vaccinated and the virus is contained:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/recommendations.html
We will keep you posted with any changes.
With love, honor, and respect,
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
503-504-5277
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF: December 19, 2020:
Dear Colleagues, Residents, Families, and Friends,
Today we learned that one of our beloved staff members at RJHC/HSCL tested positive for COVID-19 as a result of our routine testing. Thank goodness our staff member is asymptomatic. We have notified Public Health (OHA), the Oregon Department of Human Services Safety, Oversight and Quality Unit (DHS/SOQ) and the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) as required.
As in all cases, contact tracing is performed. Residents with potential exposure already rapid tested and all of those test results are negative.
Again, we ask that our staff, residents and families help us and do all you can to support our community by following the recommendations set forth by the CDC:
Please know we are taking every step as recommended by authorities to contain the spread. We want to make residents, their families, and our dedicated staff aware of this situation and reassure everyone that we are on top of it.
Developments are changing day by day, minute by minute. Our focus remains on the health and well-being of our community. We must also recognize our team for the concern and commitment they have shown to our residents during this challenging time. Our mission has never been more meaningful.
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact the campus administrators or me. We will assist you in any way possible.
RJHC/HSCL: Krista Mattox: 503-320-0807
RSM: Vivian Villegas: 1-360-936-2694
Please have a safe Shabbos,
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
503-504-5277
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF: December 18, 2020:
Dear Colleagues, Residents, Families, and Friends,
Today we learned that another of our beloved staff members at RSM tested positive for COVID-19. We have notified Public Health (OHA), the Oregon Department of Human Services Safety, Oversight and Quality Unit (DHS/SOQ) and the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) as required.
As in all cases, contact tracing is performed.
We must all continue to do our best to do all we can to support our community by following the recommendations set forth by the CDC:
Please know we are taking every step as recommended by authorities to contain the spread. We want to make residents, their families, and our dedicated staff aware of this situation and reassure everyone that we are on top of it.
Developments are changing day by day, minute by minute. Our focus remains on the health and well-being of our community. We must also recognize our team for the concern and commitment they have shown to our residents during this challenging time. Our mission has never been more meaningful.
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact the campus administrators or me. We will assist you in any way possible.
RSM: Vivian Villegas: 1-360-936-2694
RJHC/HSCL: Krista Mattox: 503-320-0807
With love, honor, and respect,
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
503-504-5277
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF: December 17, 2020 (Third Update):
Dear Colleagues, Residents, Families, and Friends,
Just now we learned that another of our beloved staff members at RSM tested positive for COVID-19. We have notified Public Health (OHA), the Oregon Department of Human Services Safety, Oversight and Quality Unit (DHS/SOQ) and the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) as required.
As in all cases, contact tracing is performed.
Again, we ask that our staff, residents and families help us and do all you can to support our community by following the recommendations set forth by the CDC:
Please know we are taking every step as recommended by authorities to contain the spread. We want to make residents, their families, and our dedicated staff aware of this situation and reassure everyone that we are on top of it.
Developments are changing day by day, minute by minute. Our focus remains on the health and well-being of our community. We must also recognize our team for the concern and commitment they have shown to our residents during this challenging time. Our mission has never been more meaningful.
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact the campus administrators or me. We will assist you in any way possible.
RSM: Vivian Villegas: 1-360-936-2694
RJHC/HSCL: Krista Mattox: 503-320-0807
With love, honor, and respect,
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
503-504-5277
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF: December 17, 2020 (Second Update):
Dear Colleagues, Residents, Families, and Friends,
Today we learned that two of our beloved staff members at RSM resident tested positive for COVID-19. Thank goodness both staff members are asymptomatic. We have notified Public Health (OHA), the Oregon Department of Human Services Safety, Oversight and Quality Unit (DHS/SOQ) and the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) as required.
As in all cases, contact tracing is performed.
Weekly resident testing initiated for at least the next two weeks.
Again, we ask that our staff, residents and families help us and do all you can to support our community by following the recommendations set forth by the CDC:
Please know we are taking every step as recommended by authorities to contain the spread. We want to make residents, their families, and our dedicated staff aware of this situation and reassure everyone that we are on top of it.
Developments are changing day by day, minute by minute. Our focus remains on the health and well-being of our community. We must also recognize our team for the concern and commitment they have shown to our residents during this challenging time. Our mission has never been more meaningful.
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact the campus administrators or me. We will assist you in any way possible.
RSM: Vivian Villegas: 1-360-936-2694
RJHC/HSCL: Krista Mattox: 503-320-0807
With love, honor, and respect,
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
503-504-5277
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF: December 17, 2020 (Second Update):
Dear Colleagues, Residents, Families, and Friends,
Today we learned that two of our beloved staff members at RSM resident tested positive for COVID-19. Thank goodness both staff members are asymptomatic. We have notified Public Health (OHA), the Oregon Department of Human Services Safety, Oversight and Quality Unit (DHS/SOQ) and the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) as required.
As in all cases, contact tracing is performed.
Weekly resident testing initiated for at least the next two weeks.
Again, we ask that our staff, residents and families help us and do all you can to support our community by following the recommendations set forth by the CDC:
Please know we are taking every step as recommended by authorities to contain the spread. We want to make residents, their families, and our dedicated staff aware of this situation and reassure everyone that we are on top of it.
Developments are changing day by day, minute by minute. Our focus remains on the health and well-being of our community. We must also recognize our team for the concern and commitment they have shown to our residents during this challenging time. Our mission has never been more meaningful.
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact the campus administrators or me. We will assist you in any way possible.
RSM: Vivian Villegas: 1-360-936-2694
RJHC/HSCL: Krista Mattox: 503-320-0807
With love, honor, and respect,
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
503-504-5277
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF: December 17, 2020:
Dear Colleagues, Residents, Families, and Friends,
The community light shines brighter this week as we celebrate Hanukkah and the receipt and distribution of the first of COVID-19 vaccines in our country and state.
Here’s what we know to date about when the vaccine will come to CSP:
RJHC/HSCL should receive the vaccine before the end of December 2020.
RSM/SIHC should receive the vaccine late January/early February 2021.
Kehillah and Affordable Housing Residents: CDC recommendations pending.
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/recommendations.html
Our Administration and Clinical Leadership teams will be conducting education and training for staff, residents, and families so all can make an informed decision before the vaccination clinics begin. Stay tuned for information from your respective Administrator.
Although the vaccine is not mandated, it is one of the most important steps we can take to ending this horrible pandemic. Education and transparency about the vaccine safety and effectiveness is essential to encouraging vaccination to protect our front-line healthcare workers, residents, patients, and clients.
CSP’s Medical Director, Kirsten Carr, MD has prepared the following vaccine Q&A:
Q: How do these new vaccines work?
A: The COVID-19 vaccines are mRNA vaccines. Although this is a newer technology, it has been used for almost two decades. It has been studied in humans and animals during this time and has shown fewer side effects than traditional vaccination methods. Although this is the first widely distributed vaccine to use this technology, the available data indicates that these vaccines are not only more safe but also more effective. The component mRNA work by teaching the immune system to fight COVID by creating proteins that activate a specific immune response in each person’s body. Most other vaccines actually introduce a weakened virus into the body, so this is one step better and safer and more effective. Safety data has been performed on almost 40,000 test participants.
You will need to have two doses of the same brand of vaccine separated by about 21 days.
Q: Are there any adverse effects reported with the vaccines:
A: The most common side effects are mild reactions that are normal and expected. These symptoms can occur within the first 72 hours and last for around 24-48 hours. These are very common and this is in part because the vaccine causes such a great recruitment of your own immune system to make really good long-term immunity to this disease.
Some have put forth concerns about the long-term side effects. The major long-term concerns are that the immunity will not be as long lived. Vaccines in general have short term side effects, not long-term side effects.
Q: I got the vaccine and now I have symptoms. How do I know if they are COVID symptoms or just normal vaccine symptoms?
A: The symptoms mentioned above are not specific to COVID and if these occur within the first few days after the vaccine, this would not raise concern for active infection. However, an ongoing elevated temperature, cough, loss of taste, or other symptoms that are more specific to COVID infection should be evaluated and antigen testing should be considered as the vaccine should not cause positive antigen testing.
Q: Is it better to get COVID and not the vaccine?
A: No! We know that, especially in folks over the age of 65 and those with chronic conditions, there is at least a 1-3% fatality rate. That means across the CSP continuum alone we would have at least 20 folks die of the disease if everyone had it. In contrast, nobody has died from the vaccine, nor is that a likely possibility based on how the vaccine works. So, the risk of contracting COVID far outpaces the risk of vaccine.
Q: Once I get the vaccine, can I feel safe to go out again in public?
A: Until the vaccine is widely distributed and accepted into practice, continued vigilance related to infection control is required. The vaccine is very effective: 94-95% is estimated. However, that does mean that up to 6% of those who receive the vaccine do not create enough of an immune response to fight off the disease if exposed to it in the future. It will remain important to continue with hand washing, mask wearing and social distancing until we see a significant reduction of infection in the community.
Q: Should I get the vaccine if I had COVID-19?
A: Yes! The current recommendations are for all persons regardless of previous infection status to receive the vaccine. However, it is not recommended that those with an active infection receive the vaccine. Once the active infection has subsided and isolation protocols have been removed, the person would be considered safe to receive the vaccine.
Q: Who should NOT get the vaccine?
A: When we have the EUA Fact Sheet the guidance will be clear. The vaccine has not been studied in pregnant females, adolescents under 16 years old or immunocompromised patients so there is likelihood that it may not be recommended for certain subpopulations.
Q: What if I am immunocompromised?
A: Those populations were excluded from the current studies, so there is no known safety data at this time. Further, we do not know if the body would mount an immune response for those with immune system compromise or those who are taking immunosuppression therapy.
Q: What if I choose not to get the vaccine?
A: Certainly, nobody can be forced to have a vaccine. However, it will be key to the long-term containment of the virus for as many folks as can safely obtain this vaccine to receive it. Herd immunity is the concept that when a community has enough folks who have had the disease or are immune through vaccination, that the ability for a disease to become widespread is eliminated. Those who have compromised immune systems, have religious beliefs that disallow vaccination and who may have had reactions to a vaccine in the past rely on those with immunity to protect them. The herd immunity estimates for COVID-19 are 80-90%. This is very high; however, young children have not been approved to use the current vaccine. It is not yet known how the general population can obtain herd immunity until all children are immunized. Having immunity via a vaccine will remain the key for most adults to remain safe from contracting the disease.
CSP Bi-Weekly Testing Update:
December 6-12: Testing complete. No new positive results.
December 13-19: Bi-weekly testing: First test results pending; second testing of the week in process.
Our dear staff who have tested positive continue to recuperate at home.
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact the campus administrators or me. We will assist you in any way possible.
HSCL/RJHC: Krista Mattox: 503-320-0807
RSM: Vivian Villegas: 1-360-936-2694
With love, honor, and respect,
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
503-504-5277
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF: December 14, 2020:
Dear Colleagues, Residents, Families, and Friends,
GOOD NEWS!!
Per the Oregon Health Authority as of 11:15 a.m.:
“COVID-19 vaccines have arrived in Oregon at Legacy Holladay Park and Meridian Park Facilities. Each facility received 975 doses.
The state vaccination distribution plan rollout is happening in tandem with a federal effort that is partnering with pharmacy companies CVS, Walgreens and Consonus Healthcare to offer on-site, no-cost COVID-19 vaccines to more than 680 long-term care facilities in Oregon. The first three weeks of the operation, which starts December 21, 2020 will see 22,425 vaccine doses going to skilled nursing facilities and 80,000 doses headed to assisted living facilities.”
Please see below for the full release:
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/ORDHS/bulletins/2b10fbc
CSP Bi-Weekly Testing Update:
December 6-12: No new positive results received to date. Awaiting final results from second test.
December 13-19: Bi-weekly testing: In process.
Again, we ask that our staff, residents and families help us and do all you can to support our community by continuing to follow CDC guidelines.
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact the campus administrators or me. We will assist you in any way possible.
HSCL/RJHC: Krista Mattox: 503-320-0807
RSM: Vivian Villegas: 1-360-936-2694
With love, honor, and respect,
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
503-504-5277
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF: December 10, 2020:
CSP Testing Update: Due to the volume of testing, we are simplifying
Our all- community reporting, beginning today:
RJHC/HSCL:
Tenth Round Testing:
Residents: No testing this round per DHS/OHA.
Staff Test Results Complete: No new positive results.
RSM:
Fifth Round Resident Test Results Complete: All negative.
Sixth Round Staff Test Results Complete: No new positive results.
Sinai In Home Care: Staff Test Results Complete: All negative.
CSP Twice Week Testing December 6-12: Staff only testing in process; results pending.
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact the campus administrators or me. We will assist you in any way possible.
RJHC/HSCL: Krista Mattox: 503-320-0807
RSM: Vivian Villegas: 1-360-936-2694
With love, honor, and respect,
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
503-504-5277
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF: December 4, 2020:
Dear CSP Colleagues, Residents, Families and Friends,
Late this morning, Governor Kate Brown, Oregon Health Authority Director Patrick Allen, Oregon Health Authority Public Health Division Director Rachael Banks and State Health Officer and Epidemiologist Dean Sidelinger, MD addressed our state regarding the increase in positive cases and vaccine receipt, storage methodology and distribution.
In summary:
Oregon is expected to receive both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, beginning mid-December.
Staff in healthcare, including long-term care will be the first to receive the vaccine as will our residents.
To the point, this is the most dangerous time of the pandemic we have experienced thus far. Colleagues, residents, families and friends, PLEASE exercise your most vigilant effort and do everything you can to limit spread and exposure of COVID-19. Once we have the vaccine, we will still need to remain vigilant for the next few months.
For the entire press conference, including Q&A: https://youtu.be/r5GepC_3dd8
For more information regarding the vaccine from the Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine/American Medical Director Association:
http://paltc.org/sites/default/files/QA%20about%20the%20COVID-19%20Vaccine%20for%20PALTC%20Patients%20Family%20Member%20and%20Staff%20_%2012_1_20%20FINAL.pdf
CSP Testing Update:
RSM Testing: Resident Round 5, Staff Round 6:
RJHC/HSCL Tenth Round Testing:
Sinai In Home Care (SIHC) Staff: 0/19 results received.
25 of 36 Oregon Counties are now considered in the
Extreme Risk category for COVID-19.
The Portland Metro Area is hovering just below 11%.
This means that CSP staff will be tested
twice weekly for at least the next two weeks.
CSP Testing Dates and Times:
RSM:
• Monday: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• Friday: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
RJHC/HSCL/SIHC:
• Monday: 6:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
• Thursday: 6:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Developments are changing day by day, minute by minute. Our focus remains on the health and well-being of our community. We must also recognize our team for the concern and commitment they have shown to our residents during this challenging time. Our mission has never been more meaningful.
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact the campus administrators or me. We will assist you in any way possible.
RSM: Vivian Villegas: 1-360-936-2694
RJHC/HSCL: Krista Mattox: 503-320-0807
Please take good care, WEAR A MASK, and have a safe Shabbos,
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
503-504-5277
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF: December 3, 2020:
Dear CSP Colleagues, Residents, Families and Friends,
A new health and safety framework will go into effect today, following the end of the 2-Week Freeze. The new framework uses four different risk levels for counties based on their level of COVID-19 spread—Extreme Risk, High Risk, Moderate Risk, and Lower Risk—to determine guidance for specific activities.
As of November 23rd, 21 of Oregon’s 36 counties were in the Extreme Risk category. Portland metro (Clackamas, Multnomah, and Washington counties) is currently in the Extreme Risk category.
On November 30, the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) reexamined county data to determine which counties qualify for each risk level on December 3. In each subsequent two-week period, the OHA will examine and publish county data weekly, but county risk levels will not change until the end of the second week. In the first week, counties will be given Warning Week data to prepare for potential risk level changes. In the second week, county risk levels will be updated based on that week’s data. More detailed information will be posted soon.
See: https://govstatus.egov.com/or-covid-19/ for risk tables by county and map as well as activity guidance and disease metrics tables.
Additionally, due to the ongoing COVID-19 surge, Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) and OHA are surveying health care facilities including nursing, assisted living and residential care facilities asking them to identify the most active temporary health care staffing firms that they have been using successfully.
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) convened an emergency meeting on December 1, 2020 on upcoming COVID-19 vaccines and allocations of those. ACIP serves an advisory role to the Centers for Disease Control, and the panel recommended that residents of long-term care facilities and workers in health care facilities, including some aging services providers, receive top priority for COVID-19 vaccination.
Click the link below to read the full article from our trade Association LeadingAge to get an overview of key takeaways from the meeting, what it means for aging services, and next steps.
We remain hopeful that the vaccine will be ready and available within the next few weeks.
CSP Testing Update:
RJHC/HSCL:
Ninth (9th) round Staff Results: All remaining results received: ALL NEGATIVE.
Tenth (10th) round testing initiated for residents and staff.
RSM:
Fifth (5th) round testing for residents and Sixth (6th) round testing for staff initiated.
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact the campus administrators or me. We will assist you in any way possible.
HSCL/RJHC: Krista Mattox: 503-320-0807
RSM: Vivian Villegas: 1-360-936-2694
With love, honor, and respect,
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
503-504-5277
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF: December 2, 2020:
Dear CSP Colleagues, Residents, Families and Friends,
Last night we learned an additional staff member at RSM resident tested positive for COVID-19 (with mild symptoms). This employee was tested in our most recent round at RSM as well as their other employer and tested negative, then began to show symptoms and tested outside of CSP. We have notified Public Health (OHA), the Oregon Department of Human Services Safety, Oversight and Quality Unit (DHS/SOQ) and the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) as required.
As in all cases, contact tracing is performed and testing will continue weekly at this time cross-campus per protocol. Should Multnomah County rates exceed 10%, we will initiate twice-per-week testing.
Again, we ask that our staff, residents and families help us and do all you can to support our community by following the recommendations set forth by the CDC:
Please know we are taking every step as recommended by authorities to contain the spread, and then some. We want to make residents, their families, and our dedicated staff aware of this situation and reassure everyone that we are on top of it.
Developments are changing day by day, minute by minute. Our focus remains on the health and well-being of our community. We must also recognize our team for the concern and commitment they have shown to our residents during this challenging time. Our mission has never been more meaningful.
Please join me in sending healing energy to our resident and staff.
With love, honor, and respect,
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
503-504-5277
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF: November 30, 2020:
Dear CSP Colleagues, Residents, Families and Friends,
Today we learned an RSM resident who in the last four days tested negative for COVID-19, tested positive this morning. With the most recent round of staff testing, one (1) RSM staff member’s results were also positive. We have notified Public Health (OHA), the Oregon Department of Human Services Safety, Oversight and Quality Unit (DHS/SOQ) and the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) as required.
As in all cases, contact tracing is performed and
testing will continue weekly at this time cross-campus per protocol.
Again, we ask that our staff, residents and families help us and do all you can to support our community by following the recommendations set forth by the CDC:
Please know we are taking every step as recommended by authorities to contain the spread, and then some. We want to make residents, their families, and our dedicated staff aware of this situation and reassure everyone that we are on top of it.
CSP Testing updates:
RJHC/HSCL:
RSM:
As we know, developments are changing day by day, minute by minute. Our focus remains on the health and well-being of our community and our mission has never been more critical. Deep gratitude to the leadership and staff of RSM and RJHC/HSCL for immediately responding to these positive results with the highest level of safety and precaution.
Please join me in sending healing energy to our resident and staff.
With love, honor, and respect,
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
503-504-5277
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF: November 24, 2020:
Dear CSP Colleagues, Residents, Families and Friends,
During this special time of giving thanks amongst the backdrop of the pandemic, we find ourselves in a place none of us could have thought possible a year ago. You have been resilient, compassionate, dedicated, and supportive! And for that and every day we are thankful to you!
Yesterday we learned a staff member tested positive for COVID-19 at both RSM and HSCL*. We have notified Public Health (OHA), the Oregon Department of Human Services Safety, Oversight and Quality Unit (DHS/SOQ) and the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) as required.
CSP Testing Update:
RJHC/HSCL:
Eighth (8th) round testing:
Ninth (9th) round resident and staff testing required per OHA/DHS.
scheduled Wednesday-Friday of this week.
RSM:
Fourth (4th) round resident testing required per OHA/DHS completed
Monday, November 12, 2020; Fifth (5th) round testing for staff
initiated yesterday and will be completed today.
We will continue to provide updates regularly.
Again, we recommend residents remain on campus for the Thanksgiving holiday.
CSP’s leadership will be onsite to share the day with residents and staff.
Family and friends, please strongly consider staying “small and safe” this Thanksgiving.
Please see the guidance links below:
https://www.cms.gov/files/document/covid-facility-holiday-recommendations.pdf
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/holidays.html
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact the campus administrators or me. We will assist you in any way possible.
HSCL/RJHC: Krista Mattox: 503-320-0807
RSM: Vivian Villegas: 1-360-936-2694
With love, honor, and respect,
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
503-504-5277
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF: November 20, 2020:
Dear CSP Colleagues, Residents, Families and Friends,
Today we learned a staff member tested positive for COVID-19 at both RSM and HSCL. Contact tracing for each staff member determined both were exposed outside of campus. We have notified Public Health (OHA), the Oregon Department of Human Services Safety, Oversight and Quality Unit (DHS/SOQ) and the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) as required.
Due to the continued rise in COVID-19 cases in our region, we strongly encourage residents to remain on campus for the Thanksgiving holiday.
Again, we ask that our staff, residents and families help us and do all you can to support our community by following the recommendations set forth by the CDC:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/holidays.html
Please know we are taking every step as recommended by the authorities to contain the spread, and then some. We want to make residents, their families, and our dedicated staff aware of this situation and reassure everyone that we are on top of it.
CSP Testing updates:
RJHC/HSCL:
Seventh (8th) round testing (will now include residents due to today’s positive):
RSM:
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact the campus administrators or me. We will assist you in any way possible.
RSM: Vivian Villegas: 1-360-936-2694
RJHC/HSCL: Krista Mattox: 503-320-0807
From all of us at CSP, please have a safe Shabbat!
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
503-504-5277
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF: November 19, 2020:
Dear CSP Colleagues, Residents, Families and Friends,
In Good to Great, Jim Collins told the story of Admiral James Stockdale who was a POW during the Vietnam War. Collins notes, “It just seemed so bleak—the uncertainty of his fate, the brutality of his captors, and so forth…how on earth did he deal with it…?”
When Collins asked that very question directly to Stockdale, he replied, “I never doubted not only that I would get out, but also that I would prevail in the end and turn the experience into the defining event of my life, which, in retrospect, I would not trade.”
“You must never confuse faith that you will prevail in the end
which you can never afford to lose
with the discipline to confront the most brutal facts of your current reality,
whatever they might be.” ~ Admiral James Stockdale
This is the Stockdale Paradox.
We are facing global challenges now that at times feel as if they are insurmountable. We feel frightened, unsure, worried, confused, overwhelmed, angry, sad, anxious.
Let’s take a moment to breathe and remember Admiral Stockdale and reflect on the Stockdale Paradox. Let’s share our worries with one another. Let’s shed denial and embrace clear vision of next steps.
Let’s seek advice, consolation, support, and community. Let’s offer our gifts to the collective. Let’s call forth our creativity, our calm, our compassion, and our generous hearts.
Let’s confront the brutal facts of COVID-19 and never let go of the knowing that we will prevail over this virus.
CSP Update:
I’m sad to share that today we learned an additional private duty caregiver at RSM and an HSCL staff member tested positive for COVID-19. Contact tracing determined both were exposed outside of campus. We have notified Public Health (OHA), the Oregon Department of Human Services Safety, Oversight and Quality Unit (DHS/SOQ) and the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) as required.
This week, Moderna and Pfizer released interim results from their ongoing COVID-19 vaccine trials showing results that the vaccines are about 95% effective at preventing COVID-19 infection. Both companies have also announced that they will be submitting emergency use authorization (EUA) requests to the FDA in the coming weeks. This is very optimistic news.
Answers to COVID-19 vaccine questions from our partner, Consonus Pharmacy:
We will continue to provide updates regularly.
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact the campus administrators or me. We will assist you in any way possible.
HSCL/RJHC: Krista Mattox: 503-320-0807
RSM: Vivian Villegas: 1-360-936-2694
Please take good care of yourselves and one another.
With love, honor, respect, faith, and strength,
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
503-504-5277
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF: November 17, 2020:
Dear CSP Colleagues, Residents, Families and Friends,
I’m sad to share that this morning we learned an additional private duty caregiver at RSM tested positive for COVID-19. We have notified Public Health (OHA), the Oregon Department of Human Services Safety, Oversight and Quality Unit (DHS/SOQ) and the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) as required.
CSP Testing updates: Please note that weekly testing of staff will continue as our county rate per The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid’s (CMS) most recent update is 8.6% (November 11, 2020 and will be updated again November 25, 2020).
RJHC/HSCL: Seventh (7th) round testing results:
Eighth (8th) round staff testing required per OHA/DHS.
Scheduled Wednesday-Thursday of this week.
RSM: Third (3rd) round testing results:
Third (3rd) round Resident testing for residents initiated today due to
the new positive and out of an abundance of caution and care.
Fourth (4th) round Staff testing scheduled Wednesday-Thursday of this week.
Again, we ask that our staff, residents and families help us and do all you can to support our community by following the recommendations set forth by the CDC:
Developments are changing day by day, minute by minute. Our focus remains on the health and well-being of our community. We must also recognize our team for the concern and commitment they have shown to our residents during this challenging time. Our mission has never been more meaningful. As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact the campus administrators or me. We will assist you in any way possible.
RSM: Vivian Villegas: 1-360-936-2694
RJHC/HSCL: Krista Mattox: 503-320-0807
With love, honor, and respect,
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
503-504-5277
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF: November 13, 2020:
Dear CSP Colleagues, Residents, Families and Friends,
Since our communication this morning, two major additions to COVID -19 mitigation were announced by Governor Kate Brown:
1. A statewide Two-Week Freeze, implementing new measures to limit gatherings and stop the rapid spread of COVID-19 across Oregon. The Two-Week Freeze measures will be in effect from Nov. 18 through at least Dec. 2, 2020. Governor Brown was clear that COVID-19 hotspot counties “will likely need to stay in the Freeze for much longer than two weeks. Multnomah County, for example, will be in this Freeze for at least four weeks. Our actions right now, no matter where in the state you live, are critical.”
CSP Communal dining and indoor visitation will be placed on hold until the “Freeze” has been lifted.
Compassionate care, outdoor and window visitation will continue. Please remember that window visits must be conducted with the windows closed.
Links below to Governor Brown’s detailed remarks and press conference:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1j1WR4sxEMz35wVcWZIea0vQZ0LLNJXuN/view
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=_et0zYftCsw&app=desktop
2. Governor Kate Brown, California Governor Gavin Newsom, and Washington Governor Jay Inslee issued travel advisories today urging visitors entering their states or returning home from travel outside these states to self-quarantine to slow the spread of the virus. The travel advisories urge against non-essential out-of-state travel, ask people to self-quarantine for 14 days after arriving from another state or country, and encourage residents to stay local.
Non-essential travel includes travel that is considered tourism or recreational in nature.
Essential travel includes: work and study, critical infrastructure support, economic services and supply chains, health, immediate medical care, and safety and security.
https://www.oregon.gov/newsroom/Pages/NewsDetail.aspx?newsid=37700
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact the campus administrators or me. We will assist you in any way possible.
RSM: Vivian Villegas: 1-360-936-2694
RJHC/HSCL: Krista Mattox: 503-320-0807
Good Shabbos to all, and please take care of each other and yourselves!
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
503-504-5277
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF: November 13, 2020:
Dear CSP Colleagues, Residents, Families and Friends,
We are pleased to share the RSM Executive Order has been lifted. That being said, as anticipated, Governor Kate Brown announced that four additional counties must follow measures to pause social activities, including prohibiting indoor visitation at all long-term care facilities, to help stop the rapid spread of COVID-19. In addition to Malheur, Marion, Multnomah, Jackson and Umatilla, the following counties were added: Baker, Clackamas, Union and Washington.
As we shared last week, the two-week pause is being instituted in counties with a case rate above 200 cases per 100,000 people over a two-week period, or more than 60 cases over a two-week period for counties with less than 30,000. Clackamas and Washington Counties were added due to their case rates being just under the threshold and both counties registering significant daily case counts in the past several days.
CSP Testing updates:
RJHC/HSCL:
Sixth (6th) round testing:
Our other two RJHC/HSCL staff continue to have symptoms that are resolving and are recuperating at home under the supervision of their personal physician. Please join me in sending prayers and healing energy.
Seventh (7th) round testing required per OHA/DHS.
Scheduled Wednesday-Friday of this week.
RSM: Second (2nd) round testing:
Third (3rd) round testing completed Thursday of this week, results pending.
We will continue to test weekly at this time due
to the incidence of new cases in our county.
This is the most dangerous time of the pandemic we have experienced thus far. Colleagues, residents, families and friends, PLEASE exercise your most vigilant effort and do everything you can to limit spread and exposure of COVID-19:
And per the Governor: From November 11-25, 2020 (may be extended):
Thank you all for your support. We will continue to provide updates regularly.
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact the campus administrators or me. We will assist you in any way possible.
HSCL/RJHC: Krista Mattox: 503-320-0807
RSM: Vivian Villegas: 1-360-936-2694
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
503-504-5277
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF: November 9, 2020:
Dear CSP Colleagues, Residents, Families and Friends,
What an inspiring morning we’ve had, learning President-elect Joe Biden appointed a 13-member coronavirus task force:
https://www.nytimes.com/live/2020/11/09/us/joe-biden-trump/biden-announces-a-13-member-virus-task-force-as-cases-soar
Among those selected is none other than one of our most trusted health advisors and advocates, Atul Gawande, MD, MPH, surgeon, writer, and public health researcher. You may have read his most recent book (2014) Being Mortal; or his articles regarding coronavirus in the New Yorker:
May 13, 2020: https://www.newyorker.com/science/medical-dispatch/amid-the-coronavirus-crisis-a-regimen-for-reentry
September 2, 2020: https://www.newyorker.com/science/medical-dispatch/we-can-solve-the-coronavirus-test-mess-now-if-we-want-to
It is uplifting to see the names on this taskforce; so many of my colleagues and I are heartened and hopeful.
CSP Testing updates:
RJHC/HSCL:
Sixth (6th) round testing:
• Residents: 50/59 results received: ALL NEGATIVE. Two residents declined testing and are self-quarantining.
• Staff: 90/132 result received: ALL NEGATIVE.
Seventh (7th) round testing required per OHA/DHS.
Scheduled Wednesday-Friday of this week.
RSM: Second (2nd) round testing:
• Residents: 129/129 results received: ALL NEGATIVE.
• Staff: 84/90 result received: ALL NEGATIVE. Our original staff member who tested positive continues to test positive and asymptomatic. Our second staff member who tested positive has now tested negative.
Third (3rd) round testing required per OHA/DHS.
Scheduled for Wednesday-Thursday of this week.
We will continue to test weekly at this time due to the incidence of new cases in our county and our current positive cases at both JRHC/HSCL and RSM.
We want to assure you that we have educated our staff on infection control processes and procedures to keep our residents and employees safe and will continue to take the necessary precautions. We ask that you do the same:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/index.html
As I’ve said before (and there’s really no better way to say it clearly), developments are changing day by day, minute by minute. Our focus remains on the health and well-being of our community. We must also continue to recognize our team for the concern and commitment they have shown to our residents during this challenging time. Truly, our mission has never been more meaningful.
Thank you all for your support. We will continue to provide updates regularly.
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact the campus administrators or me. We will assist you in any way possible.
HSCL/RJHC: Krista Mattox: 503-320-0807
RSM: Vivian Villegas: 1-360-936-2694
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
503-504-5277
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF: November 6, 2020:
Dear CSP Colleagues, Residents, Families and Friends,
In a press briefing this afternoon, Governor Brown announced a “two week pause” in five Oregon counties as a first step to control the virus due to a concern over the rate of increasing COVID-19 cases. This week Oregon experienced 3,542 new COVID-19 cases (805 yesterday and 770 today) – an increase of 34% over the previous week. The increasing positivity rate has resulted in increased hospitalizations with concerns over future capacity if the rate continues to escalate. Data from the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) indicates the increased spread is driven through small informal gatherings and not due to large workplace or other outbreaks and that Oregon’s sporadic cases, those not traced to a source, are increasing.
The metric being used to place a county in pause is 200 new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 people over 14 straight days. The two week pause goes into effect next Wednesday, November 11 in Malheur, Marion, Multnomah, Jackson and Umatilla counties.
Additional counties including Washington, Clackamas, Baker and Linn are on the cusp and could be placed on pause if their positive cases reach the same metric. OHA will be updating their data next week and expects other counties to be placed on pause.
The pause does the following:
Both the Governor and Dean Sidelinger, MD, MSEd, FAAP Oregon Public Health Division’s Health Officer and State Epidemiologist asked people to limit their holiday gatherings according to the recommendations and that if they’ve already made plans to please change them. Dr. Sidelinger stated a negative test is not a free pass and stressed the COVID-19 virus is not like the flu – the death rate for COVID-19 is twenty times higher than that for the flu. Governor Brown stated the “pause” is a wake-up call for Oregonians and that “if we don’t slow the spread of the virus there will be more closures.”
For more information:
https://www.oregon.gov/newsroom/Pages/NewsDetail.aspx?newsid=37671
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-q7KEAXEcryFx6pGoNRsvrM4DTWTLdGs/view
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact the campus administrators or me. We will assist you in any way possible.
HSCL/RJHC: Krista Mattox: 503-320-0807
RSM: Vivian Villegas: 1-360-936-2694
With love, honor, and respect,
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
503-504-5277
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF: November 6, 2020:
Dear CSP Colleagues, Residents, Families and Friends,
Such an important week in the history of our country! It seems appropriate to share the following article about the history of voter turnout in our United States of America: These US Elections Saw the Highest Voter Turnout Rates.
And, our testing updates:
RJHC/HSCL:
Fifth(5th) round testing update:
Sixth (6th) round testing initiated for residents and staff.
RSM: Second (2nd) round testing in process.
Again, we ask that our staff, residents and families help us and do all you can to support our community by following the recommendations set forth by the CDC:
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact the campus administrators or me. We will assist you in any way possible.
HSCL/RJHC: Krista Mattox: 503-320-0807
RSM: Vivian Villegas: 1-360-936-2694
Good Shabbos,
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
503-504-5277
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF: October 31, 2020:
Dear CSP Colleagues, Residents, Families and Friends,
I’m sad to share that last night we learned an additional staff member at RSM tested positive for COVID-19. Thank goodness our wonderful staff member is asymptomatic. We will initiate second round testing late next week at RSM due to this new positive.
Testing Updates as of 1:45 pm today:
RSM:
Residents: 133/133 results received: All Negative. The residents who declined testing continue to quarantine in their apartments.
Staff: 92/92 results received: 91 Negative, one (1) new positive. Both RSM staff members testing positive continue to be asymptomatic. The private duty caregiver continues to recuperate at home.
RJHC/HSCL:
Fifth Round Testing:
Residents: 52/63 results received: All Negative; Two residents declined testing and are self-quarantining at this time.
Staff: 86/130 results received: All Negative;
Both HSCL staff members that were hospitalized are now home recuperating. Please join me in sending prayers and healing energy.
We have notified the Oregon Health Authority (OHA), the Oregon Department of Human Services Safety, Oversight and Quality Unit (DHS/SOQ) and the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention as required.
Again, we ask that our staff, residents and families help us and do all you can to support our community by following the recommendations set forth by the CDC:
Please know we are taking every step as recommended by authorities to contain the spread, and then some. We want to make residents, their families, and our dedicated staff aware of this situation and reassure everyone that we are on top of it.
As we know, developments are changing day by day, minute by minute. Our focus remains on the health and well-being of our community. Deep gratitude to the leadership and staff of RJHC/HSCL and RSM for immediately responding to these positive results with the highest level of safety and precaution.
We continue to closely track incidences of coronavirus Multnomah County to guide us regarding ongoing testing requirements. Updates are documented Monday-Wednesday-Friday per the Public Health Department. Including the link below or those of you interested in following along*:
https://multco.us/novel-coronavirus-covid-19/regional-covid-19-data-dashboard
*There may be a difference in the numbers posted by Oregon Health Authority and Public Health due to a 24-48 hour data update lag.
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact the campus administrators or me. We will assist you in any way possible.
HSCL/RJHC: Krista Mattox: 503-320-0807
RSM: Vivian Villegas: 1-360-936-2694
With love, honor and respect,
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
503-504-5277
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF: October 29, 2020:
Dear CSP Colleagues, Residents, Families and Friends,
It feels like we need a little bit of extra light and learning this week; a reprieve from all the “news.” Given that Halloween is on Shabbat this year, I am sharing this article I found from Rabbis without Borders, a “dynamic forum for exploring contemporary issues in the Jewish world and beyond. Written by rabbis of different denominations, viewpoints, and parts of the country, Rabbis Without Borders is a project of Clal – The National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership.” Please give it a read: www.myjewishlearning.com/rabbis-without-borders/challahween/.
Testing Updates:
RJHC/HSCL:
Fourth (4th) round testing update:
RJHC/HSCL:
Fifth round testing update:
RSM:
Again, we ask that our staff, residents and families help us and do all you can to support our community by following the recommendations set forth by the CDC:
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact the campus administrators or me. We will assist you in any way possible.
HSCL/RJHC: Krista Mattox: 503-320-0807
RSM: Vivian Villegas: 1-360-936-2694
With love, honor and respect,
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
503-504-5277
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF: October 25, 2020:
Dear CSP Colleagues, Residents, Families and Friends,
I’m sad to share that last night we learned an additional resident from HSCL tested positive for COVID-19 on fourth round serial testing. Thank goodness this resident is asymptomatic. This resident has been transported to the hospital for further observation and treatment.
RJHC/HSCL:
Third Round Testing:
All remaining staff and resident results returned: ALL NEGATIVE (except for the positive previously identified);
Fourth Round Testing:
Residents: 46/59 tests returned: 44 NEGATIVE, 2 POSITIVE results. Two residents declined testing and are self-quarantining at this time.
Staff: Testing in process.
RSM:
Resident and Staff testing initiated.
We have notified the Oregon Health Authority (OHA), the Oregon Department of Human Services Safety, Oversight and Quality Unit (DHS/SOQ) and the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention as required.
Again, we ask that our staff, residents and families help us and do all you can to support our community by following the recommendations set forth by the CDC:
Please know we are taking every step as recommended by authorities to contain the spread, and then some. We want to make residents, their families, and our dedicated staff aware of this situation and reassure everyone that we are on top of it.
As we know, developments are changing day by day, minute by minute. Our focus remains on the health and well-being of our community. Deep gratitude to the leadership and staff of RJHC/HSCL and RSM for immediately responding to these positive results with the highest level of safety and precaution.
Thank you all for your support. We will continue to provide updates regularly.
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact the campus administrators or me. We will assist you in any way possible.
HSCL/RJHC: Krista Mattox: 503-320-0807
RSM: Vivian Villegas: 1-360-936-2694
With love, honor and respect,
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
503-504-5277
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF: October 23, 2020:
Dear CSP Colleagues, Residents, Families and Friends,
I’m sad to share that tonight we learned a resident at RJHC tested positive for COVID-19 on fourth round serial testing. Thank goodness our beloved resident is asymptomatic. This resident has been transported to the hospital for further observation and treatment.
At the same time, we learned that an RSM staff member, who recently returned from out of state, as well as a private duty caregiver have both tested positive for COVID-19. The private duty caregiver is symptomatic. Our staff member is not.
We have notified the Oregon Health Authority (OHA), the Oregon Department of Human Services Safety, Oversight and Quality Unit (DHS/SOQ) and the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention as required.
We continue to actively monitor all residents for COVID-19 symptoms. As a reminder, infection control is observed intently and all community staff are screened daily before their shifts and have been wearing medical grade face masks and eye protection during their shifts.
With the advent of these positive results we initiated the following additional safety precautions this evening at RSM (already in place at RJHC/HSCL):
Again, we ask that our residents and families help us and do all you can to support our community by following the recommendations set forth by the CDC:
Please know we are taking every step as recommended by authorities to contain the spread, and then some. We want to make residents, their families, and our dedicated staff aware of this situation and reassure everyone that we are on top of it.
As we know, developments are changing day by day, minute by minute. Our focus remains on the health and well-being of our community. Deep gratitude to the leadership and staff of RJHC/HSCL and RSM for immediately responding to these positive results with the highest level of safety and precaution.
Thank you all for your support. We will continue to provide updates regularly.
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact the campus administrators or me. We will assist you in any way possible.
HSCL/RJHC: Krista Mattox: 503-320-0807
RSM: Vivian Villegas: 1-360-936-2694
With love, honor and respect,
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
503-504-5277
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF: October 22, 2020:
Dear CSP Colleagues, Residents, Families and Friends,
This week I’d like to begin my weekly communication by sharing an inspirational article. Pour your favorite beverage, put on your slippers, sink into your favorite chair, and savor: https://www.giveitlove.com.
RJHC/HSCL Testing update:
We are pleased to share the remaining second round staff test result returned negative.
Third round testing update:
• Residents: 49/59 test results received: ALL NEGATIVE. Two residents declined testing and are self-quarantining at this time.
• Staff: 136/140 Staff test results received: ALL NEGATIVE.
Fourth round testing for residents and staff is in process.
As Multnomah County coronavirus rate is at 8.6%, weekly testing of RJHC/HSCL staff will continue until the rate is down to 5% or under (weekly testing pertains to all nursing homes within the county. Should rates increase to 10%, staff testing will be conducted twice weekly per OHA, Public Health and DHS).
We are awaiting final guidance from OHA and DHS regarding ongoing testing statewide for assisted living.
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact the campus administrators or me. We will assist you in any way possible.
HSCL/RJHC: Krista Mattox: 503-320-0807
RSM: Vivian Villegas: 1-360-936-2694
With love, honor and respect,
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
503-504-5277
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF: October 16, 2020:
Dear CSP Colleagues, Residents, Families and Friends,
After reading the last line in each book of the Torah, it is customary to chant together: Chazak, Chazak, V’Nitchazeik!–Be strong! Be strong! And let us strengthen one another!
On that note, this week has been a dichotomous testament to community strength at Cedar Sinai Park:
We’ve been blessed to create different and distanced ways to celebrate the joy of Sukkot, Shemini Atzeret, and Simchat Torah, while at the same time we continue praying for the recovery of our beloved HSCL residents and staff who have been afflicted with the coronavirus.
And yet, we are saddened to share that one of our beloved residents took a turn for the worse and passed away yesterday afternoon.
While our HSCL staff member who was hospitalized returned home, another HSCL staff member has been hospitalized for coronavirus.
Current cases have been identified in only one of the households/greenhouses. All other households and all post-acute remain COVID-19 free at this time.
We’re blessed that RSM remains COVID-19 free at this time.
The number of coronavirus cases in is once again increasing in our state and across the country. We have seen an increase of cases in the general public, senior living and on university and college campuses, confirming that sharing space in close proximity for an extended period of time greatly increases the risk of spreading coronavirus.
Cedar Sinai Park is deeply grateful to the community for having the forethought to build all private rooms and en suite full baths at RJHC/HSCL.
As we enter the flu season along with battling coronavirus, we must all do our part in keeping ourselves and those we work, live with, and love as safe and healthy as possible:
CSP Staff:
CSP Staff and Residents:
RJHC/HSCL second round testing update:
Third round testing is in process for all RJHC/HSCL residents and staff.
We continue to actively monitor all residents for COVID-19 symptoms. As a reminder, infection control is observed intently and all community staff are screened daily before their shifts.
Please know we are taking every step as recommended by authorities to contain the virus, and then some.
As you can see (and I know this sounds redundant), developments truly change day by day, minute by minute. Our focus remains on the health and well-being of our community, mind, body and spirit. Our mission has never been more meaningful.
As we continue to struggle with world-wide pandemic, social injustice, and the proceedings leading up to this most important election, the action and compassion behind these words could not hold truer. “Chazak, Chazak, V’Nitchazeik” is an important reminder that together we’re stronger; and together we can inspire greater resilience, hope, and healing as a community.
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact the campus administrators or me. We will assist you in any way possible.
HSCL/RJHC: Krista Mattox: 503-320-0807
RSM: Vivian Villegas: 1-360-936-2694
With love, honor and respect,
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
503-504-5277
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF: October 10, 2020:
Dear CSP Colleagues, Residents, Families and Friends,
Since our last communication, we are pleased to share the remaining initial COVID-19 test results were received: 12 Staff and two (2) residents: ALL NEGATIVE.
We have begun to receive second round test results:
Residents: 58/61 test results received: ALL NEGATIVE. Two residents declined testing and are self-quarantining at this time.
Staff: 70/137 Staff test results received: ALL NEGATIVE
One staff member had an additional second test performed due to feeling poorly. This result was received before CSP’s second round result: The result is POSITIVE. Our dear staff member is home and monitoring symptoms closely.
Unless the Oregon Health Authority (OHA), the Oregon Department of Human Services Safety, Oversight and Quality Unit (DHS/SOQ) or Multnomah County Public Health (MCPH) indicates otherwise, we will be initiating a third round of testing of all residents and staff at HSCL/RJHC Wednesday, October 14, 2020.
We continue to actively monitor all residents for COVID-19 symptoms. As a reminder, infection control is observed intently and all community staff are screened daily before their shifts.
Please know we are taking every step as recommended by authorities to contain the virus, and then some. We want to make residents, their families, and our dedicated staff aware of this situation and reassure everyone that we are on top of it.
Developments are changing day by day, minute by minute. Our focus remains on the health and well-being of our community. We must also recognize our team for the concern and commitment they have shown to our residents during this challenging time. Our mission has never been more meaningful.
Thank you all for your support. We will continue to provide updates regularly.
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact the campus administrators or me. We will assist you in any way possible.
HSCL/RJHC: Krista Mattox: 503-320-0807
RSM: Vivian Villegas: 1-360-936-2694
With love, honor and respect,
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
503-504-5277
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF: October 8, 2020:
Dear CSP Colleagues, Residents, Families and Friends,
Since our last communication, we are pleased to share our beloved residents who tested positive are recovering well, and we expect all to return home to CSP.
We are saddened to share that one of our two cherished staff who tested positive was admitted to the hospital. We remain in close contact with both staff members and ask that you join us in sending prayers and healing energy.
Initial testing results:
Residents: 61/63 test results received: ALL NEGATIVE. Two residents declined testing and are self-quarantining at this time.
Staff: 123/135 Staff test results received: ALL NEGATIVE.
A second round of testing of all residents and staff at HSCL/RJHC will begin Friday, October 9, 2020, per instruction from the Oregon Health Authority (OHA), the Oregon Department of Human Services Safety, Oversight and Quality Unit (DHS/SOQ) and the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC).
We maintain vigilance regarding infection control processes and procedures to keep our residents and employees safe and will continue to take the necessary precautions. We remind you to do the same:
Special Reminders:
Developments are changing day by day, minute by minute. Our focus remains on the health and well-being of our community. We must also recognize our team for the concern and commitment they have shown to our residents during this challenging time. Our mission has never been more meaningful.
Thank you all for your support. We will continue to provide updates regularly.
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact the campus administrators or me. We will assist you in any way possible.
HSCL/RJHC: Krista Mattox: 503-320-0807
RSM: Vivian Villegas: 1-360-936-2694
With love, honor and respect,
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
503-504-5277
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF: October 4, 2020:
Dear CSP Colleagues, Residents, Families and Friends,
Yesterday evening and this morning, an additional employee and three residents at HSCL tested positive for COVID-19. Our two staff are recuperating at home and our residents are being closely monitored in the hospital with mild symptoms. The positive cases have been contained within a single household as of this writing.
We remain in close contact with the Oregon Health Authority (OHA), the Oregon Department of Human Services Safety, Oversight and Quality Unit (DHS/SOQ) and the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention as required.
We continue to actively monitor all residents for COVID-19 symptoms. As a reminder, infection control is observed intently and all community staff are screened daily before their shifts and have been wearing medical grade face masks and eye protection during their shifts.
We maintain vigilance regarding infection control processes and procedures to keep our residents and employees safe and will continue to take the necessary precautions. We ask that you do the same:
Developments are changing day by day, minute by minute. Our focus remains on the health and well-being of our community. We must also recognize our team for the concern and commitment they have shown to our residents during this challenging time. Our mission has never been more meaningful.
Thank you all for your support. We will continue to provide updates regularly.
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact the campus administrators or me. We will assist you in any way possible.
HSCL/RJHC: Krista Mattox: 503-320-0807
RSM: Vivian Villegas: 1-360-936-2694
With love, honor and respect,
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
503-504-5277
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF: October 2, 2020:
Dear CSP Colleagues, Residents, Families and Friends,
Today an employee at The Harold Schnitzer Center for Living tested positive for COVID-19.
We have notified the Oregon Health Authority (OHA), the Oregon Department of Human Services Safety, Oversight and Quality Unit (DHS/SOQ) and the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention as required.
The Clinical Team initiated testing immediately for all RJHC/HSCL staff and residents.
We continue to actively monitor all residents for COVID-19 symptoms. As a reminder, infection control is observed intently and all community staff are screened daily before their shifts and have been wearing medical grade face masks and eye protection during their shifts.
With the advent of this positive result we initiated the following additional safety precautions:
Again, we ask that our residents and families help us and do all you can to support our community by following the recommendations set forth by the CDC:
Please know we are taking every step as recommended by authorities to contain the spread, and then some. We want to make residents, their families, and our dedicated staff aware of this situation and reassure everyone that we are on top of it.
As we know, developments are changing day by day, minute by minute. Our focus remains on the health and well-being of our community. Deep gratitude to the leadership and staff of RJHC/HSCL for immediately responding to this positive result with the highest level of safety and precaution.
Thank you all for your support. We will continue to provide updates regularly.
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact the campus administrators or me. We will assist you in any way possible.
HSCL/RJHC: Krista Mattox: 503-320-0807
RSM: Vivian Villegas: 1-360-936-2694
With love, honor and respect,
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
503-504-5277
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF: October 1, 2020:
Dear CSP Colleagues, Residents, Families and Friends,
Now that we are hopefully refreshed, clear, and cleansed, the beauties of autumn reveal themselves. This is my favorite Oregon season. A time when the natural glories of the spring and summer have ended. The fragrance of evergreen trees intensifies as the deciduous trees morph from ethereal shades of green to bold burgundies, burnt oranges and blazing yellows before falling and transforming into a richness that nourishes the earth.
It is the time of Sukkot. Time to return to nature, to our origins. Time to gather the Arba Minim (Four Species): the Etrog/Citron and the Lulav (a palm branch, two willow branches and three myrtle branches).
With these four species in hand, one connects to God, waving the species in all six directions (east, south, west, north, up and down), reminding us we are all children of the Divine and that the Lord is everywhere.
Chag Sameach and Shabbat Shalom,
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
503-504-5277
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF: September 28, 2020:
Dear CSP Colleagues, Residents, Families and Friends,
We are pleased to report following results regarding the current COVID-19 testing due to the HSCL staff member who tested positive at their second employer the evening of September 14, 2020:
129/129 RJHC/HSCL employee results received: ALL NEGATIVE.
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact the campus administrators or me. We will assist you in any way possible.
RJHC/HSCL: Krista Mattox: 503-320-0807
RSM: Vivian Villegas: 1-360-936-2694
Shabbat Shalom,
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
503-504-5277
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF: September 25, 2020:
Dear CSP Colleagues, Residents, Families and Friends,
5781… A new year, a new month, a new day, a new hour, a new minute, a new second. Precious, measured, unique; once passed, cannot be relived.
As Rabbi Michael Lerner says, “on the Jewish High Holidays, we take collective responsibility for our lives and for the activities of the community of which we are a part. Although we realize that we did not create the world into which we are born, we nevertheless have responsibility for what it is like as long as we participate in it.
While the struggle to change ourselves and our world may be long and painful, it is our struggle. No one else can do it for us. To the extent that we have failed to do all that we could to make ourselves or our community all that we ought to be, we ask God and each other for forgiveness and we now commit ourselves to acting differently this coming year.”
Breathe in…..Inspire.
This Yom Kippur, seek, discover, and embrace the Divine spark within that connects us all. Then, as it is said, through collective, ardent atonement and compassion, we can begin again to heal the world.
Ve-al kulam Eloha selichot selach lanu, mechal lanu, kaper lanu:
For all our sins, may the Divine Essence that makes forgiveness possible forgive us,
pardon us, and make atonement possible.
Love and light to all souls on this Yom Kippur and may we be inscribed in the Book of Life for a good year.
Good Shabbos and G’Mar Chatimah Tovah,
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF: September 22, 2020:
Dear Colleagues, Residents, Families, and Friends,
We are pleased to report the following results regarding the current COVID-19 testing due to the HSCL staff member who tested positive at their second employer the evening of September 14, 2020:
Our beloved staff member has tested negative twice since the initial positive test. Interestingly, the initial positive was a rapid result (on site result) saliva test and the subsequent two tests conducted were nasopharyngeal tests sent to a lab.
113/129 RJHC/HSCL employee results received: 112 NEGATIVE, 1 POSITIVE (same employee who has been quarantining at home due to positive testing since August. Our dear staff member will remain home until negative test result received).
61 RJHC/HSCL residents offered COVID-19 test; two (2) residents declined testing and are self-quarantining for 14 days; 57/59 resident results received: ALL NEGATIVE.
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact the campus administrators or me. We will assist you in any way possible.
HSCL/RJHC: Krista Mattox: 503-320-0807
RSM: Vivian Villegas: 1-360-936-2694
With love, honor, and respect,
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF: September 17, 2020:
Dear Colleagues, Residents, Families, and Friends,
The High Holy Days are here! Sharing the sage wisdom from some of my favorites in the spirit of renewal, recognition of, and reconnection with the divine in each of us:
May 5781 find you blessed in all ways.
L’Shanah Tovah U’metukah,
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF: September 15, 2020:
Dear Colleagues, Residents, Families, and Friends,
Late last night, we were informed that on routine testing at another job site, an employee at The Harold Schnitzer Center for Living tested positive for COVID-19. Our beloved staff member is asymptomatic.
We have notified the Oregon Health Authority (OHA), the Oregon Department of Human Services Safety, Oversight and Quality Unit (DHS/SOQ) and the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention as required.
Because we just completed a round of testing, OHA recommends we initiate testing 72 hours from this positive exposure. All residents and staff will be tested Thursday September 17, 2020 and Friday morning September 18, 2020 (before Rosh Hashanah begins).
We continue to actively monitor all residents for COVID-19 symptoms. As a reminder, infection control is observed intently and all community staff are screened daily before their shifts and have been wearing medical grade face masks and eye protection during their shifts.
With the advent of this positive result we initiated the following additional safety precautions:
Again, we ask that our residents and families help us and do all you can to support our community by following the recommendations set forth by the CDC:
Please know we are taking every step as recommended by authorities to contain the spread, and then some. We want to make residents, their families, and our dedicated staff aware of this situation and reassure everyone that we are on top of it.
As we know, developments are changing day by day, minute by minute. Our focus remains on the health and well-being of our community. Deep gratitude to the leadership and staff of RJHC/HSCL for immediately responding to this positive result with the highest level of safety and precaution.
Thank you all for your support. We will continue to provide updates regularly.
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact the campus administrators or me. We will assist you in any way possible.
HSCL/RJHC: Krista Mattox: 503-320-0807
RSM: Vivian Villegas: 1-360-936-2694
With love, honor and respect,
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
503-504-5277
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF: September 10, 2020:
Dear CSP Colleagues, Residents, Families and Friends,
The wildfires are putting many of us on an alert status to evacuate our homes. Cedar Sinai Park is standing by to assist our sister skilled nursing and assisted living communities who may need to evacuate residents.
We learned tonight that there may be some of our staff who need to evacuate and do not have a place to shelter. Cedar Sinai Park is there for you!
CSP STAFF: TO ARRANGE FOR TEMPORARY
SHELTER ON CEDAR SINAI PARK CAMPUS
PLEASE CALL 24/7: 503-542-0088
Click HERE for wildfire updates
COVID-19 Shelter Practices at CSP:
Evacuation Packing List:
Pack for your heart (if there’s time)
COVID-19 UPDATE:
Robison Jewish Health Center/Harold Schnitzer Center for Living (RJHC/HSCL):
We are pained to share our resident who tested positive for COVID -19 and has been in the hospital recuperating took a turn for the worse and passed late Tuesday night.
Our hearts are with family and friends during this difficult time.
Rose Schnitzer Manor:
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact the campus administrators or me. We will assist you in any way possible.
RSM: Vivian Villegas: 1-360-936-2694
RJHC/HSCL: Krista Mattox: 503-320-0807
With love, honor, and respect,
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
503-504-5277
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF: September 3, 2020:
Dear CSP Colleagues, Residents, Families and Friends,
We are pleased to share the Executive Order at RSM has been lifted and our outdoor visitation program has been approved by the Department of Human Services (DHS).
RSM Residents and Families: stay tuned for a special communication from RSM Administrator Vivian Villegas regarding days, times and how to schedule visits.
Staff can return to the use of KN95 or paper surgical masks along with the appropriate eyewear.
On the national aging services and health care front:
What’s Most Important?
This draft framework includes recommendations for a tiered prioritization for a COVID-19 vaccine. The top priority group includes front-line health care workers, including those in nursing homes, assisted living and home-based care.
Other CSP Updates:
Rose Schnitzer Manor:
Robison Jewish Health Center/Harold Schnitzer Center for Living (RJHC/HSCL):
Initial Testing:
Testing Due to Staff Positive Result:
Our resident who tested positive remains in the hospital recuperating at this time.
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact the campus administrators or me. We will assist you in any way possible.
HSCL/RJHC: Krista Mattox: 503-320-0807
RSM: Vivian Villegas: 1-360-936-2694
Be safe and enjoy the Labor Day weekend!
With love, honor, and respect,
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
503-504-5277
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF: August 28, 2020:
Dear Colleagues, Residents, Families, and Friends,
This evening we learned a resident of Robison Jewish Health and Rehabilitation Center tested positive for COVID-19. Our resident is currently at the hospital receiving appropriate care and treatment.
We have notified the Oregon Health Authority (OHA), the Oregon Department of Human Services Safety, Oversight and Quality Unit (DHS/SOQ) and the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) as required. Please also know that we continue to follow all guidance set forth for privacy, patient care, employee safety, and efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19 as provided by OHA, DHS, CDC and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
We remain in constant contact with DHS and OHA and will continue serial testing protocols per OHA, CDC, and CMS.
We continue to actively monitor all residents for COVID-19 symptoms. As of this writing, no other residents have presented with symptoms. All community staff are screened daily before their shifts and have been wearing N95 respirators and eye protection while on campus.
CSP is adamant about being risk averse when it comes to each of our residents, staff, and families. This new positive test result reminds us that we are not in any way free of the need to continue our strict practices. Our focus remains on the health and well-being of our community.
Deep gratitude to the leadership and staff of RJHC/HSCL for immediately responding to this positive result with the highest level of safety and precaution.
Thank you all for your support. We will continue to provide updates regularly.
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact the campus administrators or me. We will assist you in any way possible.
HSCL/RJHC: Krista Mattox: 503-320-0807
RSM: Vivian Villegas: 1-360-936-2694
Shabbat Shalom,
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
503-504-5277
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF: August 27, 2020:
Dear CSP Colleagues, Residents, Families and Friends,
As Rabbi Reuven Hammer (z”l) shares in his book, Entering the High Holy Days*, “Jewish tradition points to the name of the month of Elul as symbolically appropriate — the letters of Elul form an acronym for the words in the verse Ani le dodi ve dodi li–“I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine” (Song of Songs 6:3). Believing that the “beloved” refers to God, the sages take this verse to describe the particularly loving and close relationship between God and Israel [the people]. Elul, then, is our time to establish this closeness so that we can approach the Yamim Noraim, or Days of Awe, in trusting acceptance of God’s judgment. We approach the trial not out of fear, but out of love.”
*Excerpted with permission from Jewish Publication Society https://jps.org/
Given the challenges facing our country, it seems especially relevant to honor this time to seek and connect to the Divine within ourselves and see the Divine in one another; to find the similarities that inspire us to build a kinder and more tolerant world. Most importantly, to know we can make that Divine connection daily, allowing us the grace to practice Tikkun Olam (healing and repairing the world).
CSP Updates:
Rose Schnitzer Manor Follow-Up Serial Testing #1:
Robison Jewish Health Center/Harold Schnitzer Center for Living (RJHC/HSCL):
Initial Testing:
Additional Testing Due to Staff Positive Result:
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact the campus administrators or me. We will assist you in any way possible.
RSM: Vivian Villegas: 1-360-936-2694
HSCL/RJHC: Krista Mattox: 503-320-0807
Wishing all an early Good Shabbos,
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
503-504-5277
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF: August 24, 2020 (Part 2):
Dear Residents, Families, and Friends,
Since mid-March, we have all been challenged and given opportunities to make tangible and real the
very values which drive and sustain us.
As a Jewish community, we live with the importance of Pikuach Nefesh (safeguarding life), Kol Yisrael
Areivim Zeh Bazeh (demonstrating responsibility for one another) and Chesed (profound love and
kindness). At Cedar Sinai Park, those values, the underpinnings of our faith, guide us. Thus, we decided
that we will offer virtual High Holy Day services on television for the New Year 5781, and forgo
gathering in person for festive Rosh Hashanah meals.
These adjustments break our hearts. They are hard on all of us. We will miss the opportunity of coming
together for a celebratory dinner, and worshipping together in the sacred spaces of Zidell Hall and
Cogan Chapel. Yet we know this is the right choice to make for the health and safety of our community.
We can assure you that tremendous care will be taken in delivering the best experience possible under
pandemic circumstances. Our dedicated team of volunteer service leaders, Amy Shapiro and Jeff
Olenick, Len and Elayne Shapiro, Eddy Shuldman, Cantor Linda Shivers, Avrel Nudelman, and Rabbi
Barry Cohen are making video recordings for all the services. These will be shown on Channel 952 in
RSM and on Channels 11, 22, and 23 in the RJHC/HSCL. While we cannot offer in-person services, we
can still use Zidell Hall and the Cogan Chapel for private moments with the Torah, which will be offered
by reservation to anyone who wants that. There will also be opportunities for one-by-one Tashlich at our
backyard stream, and visits in the Sukkah.
While these High Holy Days will be unlike any other in CSP’s 100 years, let alone our lives, we know it
can still be an important and meaningful time. Community Volunteers are joining us on campus grounds
during the Jewish month of Elul (Aug 21-September 18) and on Rosh Hashanah to blast the shofar so
that residents can hear it from their windows. The unique sound of the shofar awakens something deep
within us. Hearing it is the reminder to once again reconnect with our inner goodness and the links we can
find with the divine in our world and ourselves. This year, the shofar also summons us to strength in the
face of challenge, hope in the face of adversity, and joy in our efforts to pray together while being
apart.
May you and yours be inscribed in the Book of Life,
Cathy Zheutlin Kimberly Fuson
Spiritual Life Coordinator Chief Executive Officer
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF: August 24, 2020 (Part 1):
Dear Colleagues, Residents, Families, and Friends,
As you know, we began initial testing of all residents and staff at RJHC/HSCL. Late last night, we learned an employee at Robison Jewish Health and Rehabilitation Center began experiencing mild symptoms and has now tested positive for COVID-19.
Our dear staff member is currently quarantining and recuperating at home. We send our love and prayers for a speedy recovery.
We have notified the Oregon Health Authority (OHA), the Oregon Department of Human Services Safety, Oversight and Quality Unit (DHS/SOQ) and the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention as required.
We continue to actively monitor all residents for COVID-19 symptoms. As a reminder, infection control is observed intently and all community staff are screened daily before their shifts and have been wearing medical grade face masks and eye protection during their shifts.
With the advent of this positive result we initiated the following additional safety precautions last night:
Again, we ask that our residents and families help us and do all you can to support our community by following the recommendations set forth by the CDC:
Please know we are taking every step as recommended by authorities to contain the spread, and then some. We want to make residents, their families, and our dedicated staff aware of this situation and reassure everyone that we are on top of it.
As we know, developments are changing day by day, minute by minute. Our focus remains on the health and well-being of our community. Deep gratitude to the leadership and staff of RJHC/HSCL for immediately responding to this positive result with the highest level of safety and precaution.
Thank you all for your support. We will continue to provide updates regularly.
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact the campus administrators or me. We will assist you in any way possible.
RSM: Vivian Villegas: 1-360-936-2694
HSCL/RJHC: Krista Mattox: 503-320-0807
With love, honor and respect,
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
503-504-5277
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF: August 21, 2020:
Dear Colleagues, Residents, Families, and Friends,
Hoping (maybe Pollyanna) that by this morning the next relief package would be announced by our federal government. We may be waiting until after Labor Day.
This week’s most significant news for long-term care:
Cedar Sinai Park is in the process of updating our policies to reflect the most recent updates from the CDC, Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and Department of Human Services (DHS).
For those wanting a more in-depth look from the CDC:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/disposition-hospitalized-patients.html
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/return-to-work.html
….And, the most current testing update:
Rose Schnitzer Manor Follow-Up Serial Testing #1:
Robison Jewish Health Center/Harold Schnitzer Center for Living (RJHC/HSCL) Initial Testing:
Please remember, developments are changing day by day, minute by minute. Our
focus remains on the health and well-being of our community.
We must also recognize our team for the concern and commitment
they have shown to our residents during this challenging time.
Our mission has never been more meaningful.
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact the campus administrators or me. We will assist you in any way possible.
RSM: Vivian Villegas: 1-360-936-2694
HSCL/RJHC: Krista Mattox: 503-320-0807
Wishing all a Good Shabbos,
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
503-504-5277
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF: August 13, 2020:
Dear Colleagues, Residents, Families, and Friends,
It’s been 24 weeks since the first case of COVID-19 was confirmed in our fair state; for 24 weeks, we’ve been learning how to dance to this new tango music that constantly changes its rhythm and beat. Cedar Sinai Park is blessed to count so many excellent dancers in our family and community.
While we do not yet know how long this coronavirus milonga (tango dance party) will last, we do know that to sustain our energy through the end of the dance, we must take good care of ourselves and one another.
Part of that care is focusing our mind and soul on the positive in our world. So….in the spirit of lifting your spirits, we offer the following good news from near and far:
https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/smartmask-can-translate-speech-into-8-languages
https://www.optimistdaily.com/2020/08/the-shame-free-guide-to-encouraging-mask-wearing/
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/2020/04/how-dance-connects-people-during-coronavirus/
….And, the most current testing update:
Rose Schnitzer Manor (RSM):
Robison Jewish Health Center/Harold Schnitzer Center for Living (RJHC/HSCL) Initial Testing:
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact the campus administrators or me. We will assist you in any way possible.
RSM: Vivian Villegas: 1-360-936-2694
HSCL/RJHC: Krista Mattox: 503-320-0807
With love, honor and respect,
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
503-504-5277
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF: August 10, 2020:
Dear Colleagues, Residents, Families, and Friends,
We are thrilled to share the hospital expedited the testing of our resident and the results are negative!
We have received 135/135 resident initial test results with no further positive results at this time.
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact the campus administrators or me. We will assist you in any way possible.
RSM: Vivian Villegas: 1-360-936-2694
HSCL/RJHC: Krista Mattox: 503-320-0807
With love, honor and respect,
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
503-504-5277
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF: August 6, 2020:
Dear Colleagues, Residents, Families, and Friends,
Please join me in welcoming Shannon Freeman, RN to Cedar Sinai Park in her role as Director of Nursing at Robison Jewish Health Center/Harold Schnitzer Center for Living (RJHC/HSCL).
Shannon’s nursing passion and practice has been focused in long-term care for 29 years. She began her career as a Certified Nursing Assistant and continued to learn and grow, becoming a Certified Medication Aide, then a Registered Nurse. Shannon has served as a Director of Nursing for 18 years. We are excited about Shannon’s experience and hands-on approach to advancing person-centered nursing practice, quality of care and life for residents and staff.
An Oregon native, Shannon and her family live in North Plains on a rescue ranch, providing a life-long home for abandoned farm animals. She also enjoys gardening, horseback riding and collecting Barbie dolls. Shannon shares she is “super excited and happy to be here and looks forward to meeting everyone!”
This week Shannon is shadowing interim Director of Nursing, Kimberley Birkemeier, RN, MN, ANRP-BC, who has been with RJHC/HSCL since January 2020. We are deeply grateful to Kimberley for her leadership. Please join me in thanking Kimberley for her service to CSP. It has been an honor and privilege to work with you and we wish you all the best!
On all our minds and in our hearts this week: Testing update:
Rose Schnitzer Manor (RSM):
Robison Jewish Health Center/Harold Schnitzer Center for Living (RJHC/HSCL):
Sincere gratitude to our AMAZING staff for your
heartfelt care for our residents and one another and your
attention to infection control.
Family and Friends: We truly appreciate your effort to stay in touch and connected in the safest way possible as we navigate through this most recent restriction to visitation. Please know that once our executive orders are lifted, both RJHC/HSCL and RSM are prepared to launch outdoor visitation programs.
Residents: We strongly and with the deepest conviction encourage each of you wear a face covering/mask any time you are out and about on campus, and especially indoors.
To help support this effort, David Saltzman has gifted an additional 1000 washable cloth masks to residents of CSP.
Blessings and thank you David!
Cedar Sinai Park is grateful to each of you who live, work, connect with and support us. Although we cannot all be together, we feel the love and positive energy sent our way on a daily basis. Know that your efforts truly keep our spirits up.
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact the campus administrators or me. We will assist you in any way possible.
RSM: Vivian Villegas: 1-360-936-2694
HSCL/RJHC: Krista Mattox: 503-320-0807
With love, honor and respect,
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
503-504-5277
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF: July 30, 2020:
Dear Colleagues, Residents, Families, and Friends,
Our trade association, LeadingAge, has declared that today is Care Worker Appreciation Day! Help us send love and thanks to care workers! It’s been 6 months since the day the World Health Organization declared coronavirus a global health emergency, and LeadingAge and Cedar Sinai Park invite each of you to acknowledge those who have gone above and beyond to protect the health and well-being of older adults during this pandemic:
This week’s update:
Rose Schnitzer Manor (RSM):
Robison Jewish Health Center/Harold Schnitzer Center for Living (RJHC/HSCL):
In our State:
https://sharedsystems.dhsoha.state.or.us/DHSForms/Served/le2288J.pdf
In our Nation:
While the federal government decides on the next COVID relief package, access to and cost of PPE, testing kits and testing results turn around time continues to plague the long-term care community. Cedar Sinai Park has been extremely blessed to date that our board and community support and funding have allowed us to acquire the necessary PPE to protect and instill confidence in our residents and staff. We are also fortunate that we have been able to secure testing on demand when needed. Turn-around time is usually 3-5 days but sometimes exceeds 7 days depending on test loads at labs.
For more information on efforts and challenges of long-term care providers across the country:
Please consider contacting your respective legislators to support the Act for Older Adults.
As promised last week, here’s an update on COVID-19 vaccine development from our Medical Director, Kirsten Carr, MD:
“Last week the federal government announced a 1.95-billion-dollar agreement with a partnership of two companies Pfizer and Moderna for delivery of 50 million doses of their COVID-19 vaccine currently in beginning stages of long-term human trials.
Pfizer/Moderna is only one of many companies racing to successfully create a vaccine that will create immunity to COVID. Vaccines, along with preventive measures such as social distancing, good hand hygiene, and wearing masks and shields/goggles, are the world’s best hope for effectively stopping this disease from infecting millions more people.
The vaccine approval process is being sped up in this case as everyone races for the most effective inoculation. The FDA process for approval is normally years long and takes place in three phases. These phases are being truncated due to the significant need and to prevent loss of life. Preliminary/pre-clinical animal trials have shown that this vaccine produced by Pfizer/Moderna can create effective immunity in Rhesus monkeys:
One question that has not been answered is how the vaccine will be distributed to the general population. It has been suggested that those at highest risk will receive the vaccine first. This would include those over the age of 65, health care workers, and those with underlying health conditions.”
As I’ve said before (and there’s really no better way to say it clearly), developments are changing day by day, minute by minute. Our focus remains on the health and well-being of our community. We must also continue to recognize our team for the concern and commitment they have shown to our residents during this challenging time. Truly, our mission has never been more meaningful.
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact the campus administrators or me. We will assist you in any way possible.
RSM: Vivian Villegas: 1-360-936-2694
HSCL/RJHC: Krista Mattox: 503-320-0807
With love, honor and respect,
Kimberly Fuson Kirsten Carr, MD
Chief Executive Officer Medical Director
503-504-5277
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF: July 28, 2020:
Dear Colleagues, Residents, Families, and Friends,
Since our last communication July 24, 2020, we have been in close contact with the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and the Oregon Department of Human Services Safety, Oversight and Quality Unit (DHS/SOQ) to make certain we are following the newest procedures and taking every step required by these agencies as well as the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC). We want to reassure residents, their families, and our dedicated staff that we are on top of it.
Per Executive Order and the newest guidance from DHS/SOQ and OHA, a single positive result (resident or staff) is now considered an outbreak. To mitigate spread of the virus at RSM:
We want to assure you that we have educate our staff on an ongoing basis with respect to infection control processes and procedures to keep our residents and employees safe and will continue to take the necessary precautions. We ask that you do the same.
We ask that our colleagues, residents, families and staff stay positive, have faith and do all that we can to support our community by following the recommendations set forth by the CDC. Thank you all for your support.
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/index.html
We will provide updates as we learn more from our testing.
Other important news between July 24-27, 2020:
In Oregon:
Oregon currently has 685 long-term care facilities (LTCF) licensed by the Aging and People with Disabilities program (APD) in the Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS). These facilities house about 31,000 residents and employ about 29,000 staff-about 60,000 people in all. To date, the majority of these facilities have not had a staff or resident test positive for COVID-19.
DHS will begin accepting claims for reimbursement immediately and will only reimburse providers until $2.5M is reimbursed. The remaining $500K of the $3M appropriation has been allocated to test Home Care Workers providing services to in-home consumers. Separate guidance will be issued for reimbursement of the baseline testing.
Nationally:
The following is an excellent summary of those waivers extended and sunset:
https://leadingage.org/sites/default/files/Blanket%20Waivers%20Chart%20REVISED%20July.pdf
For those interested in more information about waivers for testing:
https://www.cdc.gov/labquality/waived-tests.html
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact the campus administrators or me. We will assist you in any way possible.
RSM: Vivian Villegas: 1-360-936-2694
HSCL/RJHC: Krista Mattox: 503-320-0807
With love, honor and respect,
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
503-504-5277
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF: July 24, 2020:
Dear Colleagues, Residents, Families, and Friends,
Today, a case of COVID-19, the illness resulting from the novel coronavirus, has been diagnosed in an employee at Rose Schnitzer Manor.
We have notified the Oregon Health Authority (OHA), the Oregon Department of Human Services Safety, Oversight and Quality Unit (DHS/SOQ) and the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention as required. Per updated guidelines, we will be re-testing all residents, staff and associated staff working at RSM.
Please know we are taking every step as recommended by authorities to contain the spread. We want to make residents, their families, and our dedicated staff aware of this situation and reassure everyone that we are on top of it.
Developments are changing day by day, minute by minute. Our focus remains on the health and well-being of our community. We must also recognize our team for the concern and commitment they have shown to our residents during this challenging time. Our mission has never been more meaningful.
Again, we ask that our residents and staff do all that they can to support our community by following the recommendations set forth by the CDC:
We want to assure you that we have educated our staff on infection control processes and procedures to keep our residents and employees safe and will continue to take the necessary precautions. We ask that you do the same.
Thank you all for your support. We will provide updates regularly.
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact the campus administrators or me. We will assist you in any way possible.
RSM: Vivian Villegas: 1-360-936-2694
HSCL/RJHC: Krista Mattox: 503-320-0807
With love, honor and respect,
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
503-504-5277
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF: July 23, 2020:
Dear Colleagues, Residents, Families, and Friends,
Today, an RJHC/HSCL staff member has tested positive for COVID-19, the illness resulting from the novel coronavirus. It is important to note that this employee has been self-isolating at home since July 3, 2020 due to a possible community acquired exposure outside of CSP. This employee’s initial COVID test result was negative. We were hoping this employee would be able to return to work but the required return to work COVID-19 test result was positive.
We have notified public health officials as required and are following procedures recommended by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention. We are taking every step as recommended by authorities to contain the spread. We want to make residents, their families, and our dedicated staff aware of this situation and reassure everyone that we are on top of it.
Developments are changing day by day, minute by minute. Our focus remains on the health and well-being of our community. We must also recognize our team for the concern and commitment they have shown to our residents during this challenging time. Our mission has never been more meaningful.
We ask that our residents and staff do all that they can to support our community by following the recommendations set forth by the CDC:
We want to assure you that we have educated our staff on infection control processes and procedures to keep our residents and employees safe and will continue to take the necessary precautions. We ask that you do the same.
Thank you all for your support. We will provide updates regularly.
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact the campus administrators or me. We will assist you in any way possible.
HSCL/RJHC: Krista Mattox: 503-320-0807
RSM: Vivian Villegas: 1-360-936-2694
With love, honor and respect,
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF: July 23, 2020:
Dear Cedar Sinai Park Colleagues, Residents, Families, and Friends,
Where to begin this week? Since our last communication, there have been numerous changes and news on local, state, and national levels. We might go so far as to say that rachmunis (compassion with a bit of pity/mercy mixed in) with vigilant attention to safety is at the forefront of the thoughts and deeds of many (at least with respect to COVID-19 and moms and dads protecting peaceful protesters):
Compassionate Care Visitation:
Based on recent guidance from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS), the Oregon Department of Human Services Safety, Oversight and Quality Unit (DHS/SOQ) collaborated with long-term care associations and other agencies on ways to responsibly allow for the possibility of structured indoor visitation when additional family support is critical to an individual’s plan of care and outdoor visitation cannot be accommodated.
DHS/SOQ was clear that they cannot define each situation that might support a compassionate care visitation allowance and instead encouraged long-term care communities to work with their respective DHS/SOQ team, resident, resident families, and long-term care ombudsman to determine if a compassionate care visit should be conducted. Compassionate Care Visits could include end-of-life situations, bereavement due to the loss of a loved one, or emotional support for a resident who has just moved into a new setting and is adjusting to their new surroundings. Per DHS/SOQ “these visits are intended to provide critical and social support during challenging times and not meant to be routine.”
CSP is pleased that CMS, OHA, and DHS/SOQ supports our current practice and will continue visitation allowances for compassionate care situations as follows:
An inability to honor these requirements could negatively impact
the ability to schedule future visits for the non-compliant guest.
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/disposition-hospitalized-patients.html
The Eyes Have It:
Due to the accelerated spread of COVID-19 in Oregon, the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) is now recommending that, in addition to masks, long-term care staff wear eye protection at all times while in the facility. Eye protection includes face shields and eye goggles, although face shields are preferred. Masks and eye protection should be worn in all locations in the facility, including breakrooms or other spaces where staff might encounter co-workers. Our trade associations are meeting with DHS regarding challenges associated with this recommendation and on alternatives that may prove effective. Until alternatives are found, CSP will work with our direct care staff to identify and order the most comfortable and protective models.
COVID-19 Vaccines:
We’re watching and listening closely. CSP Medical Director Kirsten Carr, MD will educate us and give a review of the current efforts and what we may expect in the coming months in next week’s update.
Federal Government Increases COVID-19 Funding to Nursing Homes:
Wednesday evening it was confirmed that The Department of Health and Human Services will devote $5 billion of the Provider Relief Fund authorized by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to Medicare-certified long-term care facilities and state veterans’ homes, with the goal of building nursing home skills and enhancing nursing homes’ response.
Providers will become eligible by participating in an online infection control training program. Twenty-three learning modules in the program will teach, among other things, cohorting strategies and promote the use of telehealth.
The whole scoop:
https://www.mcknights.com/news/breaking-feds-increase-covid-19-funding-dedicated-to-nursing-homes-to-nearly-10-billion
It’s All Too Beautiful:
On a very positive end note, Peggy Henry is returning to Rose Schnitzer Manor to re-open the salon. Services are by appointment only, one masked and distanced client at a time. Gratitude to RSM Administrator Vivian Villegas for developing comprehensive and safe reopening policies and procedures. RJHC/HSCL’s salon opening information to follow shortly.
….and something to make you smile:
https://www.instagram.com/p/CBEkFKaAG1S/?utm_source=ig_embed
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact the campus administrators or me. We will assist you in any way possible.
RSM: Vivian Villegas: 1-360-936-2694
HSCL/RJHC: Krista Mattox: 503-320-0807
With love, honor, and respect,
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
503-504-5277
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF: July 16, 2020:
Dear Cedar Sinai Park Colleagues, Residents, Families, and Friends,
It’s been a busy week in the world of local, state, national government in the quest to find ways to sustain community spirit and quell the spread of COVID-19 at the same time. In addition to the breaking news shared Tuesday regarding outdoor visitation, in the last 48 hours we’ve learned the following and hopefully enduring good news about widespread and ongoing testing in long-term care communities like CSP.
Per CMS Administrator Seema Verma and Admiral Brett Giroir, assistant secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services:
For those of you who would like more detail, please click on the links below:
July 15, 2020
CMS to offer point-of-care COVID-19 tests at nursing homes
Specifics of point-of-care COVID-19 testing coming to all U.S. nursing homes; providers welcome move
Verma: Nursing homes with three or more COVID-19 cases will be prioritized for point-of-care tests
July 16, 2020:
CMS to expedite review of CLIA waivers for COVID-19 point-of-care tests
Nursing facilities in hot-spots to receive first batch of COVID-19 test equipment
We are grateful for the tireless lobbying efforts of our trade associations LeadingAge, and the Association of Jewish Aging Services of North America, as well as our Federation partners, assuring the voices of older adults and those who serve them are heard loud and clear as evidenced by this week’s news.
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact the campus administrators or me. We will assist you in any way possible.
RSM: Vivian Villegas: 1-360-936-2694
HSCL/RJHC: Krista Mattox: 503-320-0807
With love, honor, and respect,
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
503-504-5277
IMPORTANT UPDATE REGARDING VISITATION AT CSP: July 14, 2020:
Dear Cedar Sinai Park Colleagues, Residents, Families, and Friends,
Yesterday afternoon CSP received anticipated guidance and recommendations from the Department of Human Services (DHS) Safety and Quality Oversight Division (SOQ) regarding “the possibility of limited, structured outdoor visitation utilizing best practices for physical distancing. This is a precursor to a forthcoming long-term care reopening plan which will be based on guidance from CMS and Governor Brown. This limited outdoor visitation policy is intended to offer specific guidelines under which structured outdoor visitation can be accommodated” on campus (different from the window visits where residents and family are separated by the glass and masks which may be continued at this time).
According to Governor Brown and DHS/SOQ, “the guidance for outdoor visits on site is based on currently available best-practice recommendations and evidence, and may be updated as additional information becomes available.”
According to DHS/SOQ: “At least 24 hours before commencing outdoor visitation, the facility must submit via email to SOQ copy of the visitation plan that indicates the facility has a location designated for outdoor visitation, sufficient staff, a mechanism for appointments and sufficient PPE to permit visitation.”
Until our plan is approved, the only visits permitted on campus are “window visits”, compassionate care and/or end of life visits. We respectfully expect 100% compliance to protect our residents, staff and each of you.
CSP leadership and consultants at both RSM and RJHC/HSCL are working diligently to develop respective plans and will submit to the SOQ for approval once the following elements have been met and translated into appropriate policy:
An inability to honor these requirements could negatively impact the ability to schedule future visits for the non-compliant guest.
Once our plans are approved, CSP will share the plan in writing and your respective administrator will host a question and answer (Q &A) Zoom meeting.
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact the campus administrators or me. We will assist you in any way possible.
RSM: Vivian Villegas: 1-360-936-2694
HSCL/RJHC: Krista Mattox: 503-320-0807
With love, honor, and respect,
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
503-504-5277
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF July 9, 2020:
Dear Cedar Sinai Park Colleagues, Residents, Families, and Friends,
Over the past week we learned that Oregon and the Portland metro area in particular continues to experience increasing cases of COVID-19. This morning we learned that Phase 2 opening for Multnomah County has been placed on hold. This is not unexpected as we try to resume social and business activity to support community and the economy in a society where individual choice is a fundamental right.
Reflecting this week about balancing the choice of the one with the needs of the many as it relates to this pandemic. There are so many opinions, recommendations and guidelines from our plethora of government and non-government agencies, “think tanks”, social media, newspapers, and magazines. Add to this the mandates from our well-meaning government agencies that often contradict one another and change so frequently it can make your head spin.
The simple truth is that we still do not have solid insight into COVID-19; we do not know how to stop this virus. It’s going to be with us for the foreseeable future. We have a little bit of knowledge about how to mitigate the spread….and we need to embrace that knowledge both at Cedar Sinai Park and as a society if we are to move forward in our quest to be together:
https://www.upworthy.com/masks
CSP Staff: I am deeply grateful for your dedication and diligence in learning about and your commitment to using personal protective equipment (PPE), particularly medical grade masks; it is not natural, easy or comfortable. You amaze me every day as I witness your caring commitment to keep one another and our residents, tenants and clients as safe as possible through your thoughtful practice of infection control and your loving approach with one another, our residents, tenants, clients, families, and essential visitors, encouraging them to do the same.
Residents, Tenants, and Clients: Wearing masks/face coverings outside your homes (including campus common areas) and distancing on campus and in other public areas are imperative to give CSP the greatest chance of mitigation. We wear masks to protect ourselves and one another. It is a gesture of Gemilut Hasadim, of loving kindness. As we plan for a time where we can dine, play together and visit with loved ones again, distancing and masks/face coverings will be required (except while dining of course). Gratitude to those of you who are our champions for masking/face covering!
Families and Friends: We are cautiously hopeful and planning for the time when you can once again visit your loved ones beyond the window; please know that those visits will be scheduled in advance and each person will be required to attest to safe practices before visiting; masking/face covering and distancing will be required.
We appreciate those of you who have honored our request to allow our residents to move freely in our outdoor spaces and not come “hang out” at our front park areas. Those of you who have visited despite our request, please be prepared for the formalization of this process. Again, this is to protect our residents, staff and each of you.
Campus Services Update:
Update for Testing of all Residents and Staff in Long-Term Care:
Ongoing testing does not need to start 30 days after initial testing has been completed. Although this was in the original plan, the timeline has been modified. The latest communication states that ongoing testing will start on October 1, 2020. Final dates will be forthcoming. The initial testing plan timeline remains June 1 through September 30, 2020.
We expect the draft rule filing to occur at the end of this week.
News About Vaccines/Clinical Trials:
https://www.mcknights.com/news/clinical-news/new-nih-network-to-recruit-thousands-for-late-stage-covid-19-vaccine-trials
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact the campus administrators or me. We will assist you in any way possible.
RSM: Vivian Villegas: 1-360-936-2694
HSCL/RJHC: Krista Mattox: 503-320-0807
With love, honor, and respect,
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
503-504-5277
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF July 6, 2020:
Considering traveling within the United States or abroad? Check out the latest guidelines and recommendations here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF July 2, 2020:
Dear Cedar Sinai Park Colleagues, Residents, Families, and Friends,
Since our last communication, we are pleased to share that the remaining four staff COVID-19 test results at RSM were received and all four (4) were NEGATIVE.
Deep gratitude and appreciation to RSM Administrator Vivian Villegas, Health Services Director Aaron Diester and the RSM team for your diligence and dedication.
We must also give great thanks to our affordable housing management Nathan Burgess, Quinn Black, Deborah Theisen and their teams, as we have not had a single reported staff or resident/tenant case of COVID-19 at Kehillah House, Rose Schnitzer Tower, Park Tower, The Lexington or The 1200 building to date.
Our teams are persistently vigilant in maintaining infection control standards, including daily rounds in each department, ongoing teaching and training, and staff support and reminders to one another. While we know cases are increasing across the state and that COVID-19 is sneaky and could overtake us at any time, currently, our CSP “village” is successful at keeping the virus at bay.
We continue to await the state of Oregon’s plan to initiate first round testing for all residents and staff in nursing homes and assisted living and ongoing monthly testing for all staff. While we wait, the CSP leadership team is collaborating with our trade association and business partners to explore resources for testing and funding of these tests. While there are strong lobbying efforts to cover the cost of testing, supplies, and increased financial resources for staffing, there is yet to be any solid resolution.
Should our state and federal governments stand by their current plan that each organization pay for the mandated monthly testing for all staff, the expense to CSP would be $500,000 annually at the current testing rates.
Resident testing is covered by Medicare. Currently, Medicare and most Medicare Advantage plans have waived any co-pay for COVID-19 tests.
We know that our staff health plan, Kaiser Permanente (KP), has waived any co-pay for staff testing due to exposure or onset of symptoms. According to our insurance broker, KP is still deliberating regarding partnering to provide coverage for mandated monthly staff testing.
For those of you considering travel (NOT recommended by any public or private agency at this time), the New York Times published the following article about travel to Europe. Please note, the USA is not on the list of currently approved countries.
https://www.nytimes.com/article/eu-travel-ban-explained-usa.html
Within the article is the link below sharing the rationale and plan for entry. The lists are to be updated every two weeks. Page nine (9) lists countries currently approved and page ten (10) defines potential exceptions for unapproved countries.
https://data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document/ST-9208-2020-INIT/en/pdf
On a lighter note, we celebrated staff and residents this week with giant hand-made Oreo ice cream sandwiches from Dairy Hill Ice Cream Parlor.
As we enter the holiday weekend, please join me in saying a Bracha (prayer) (or poo, poo, poo) that the blessing of being COVID-free endures.
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact the campus administrators or me. We will assist you in any way possible.
RSM: Vivian Villegas: 1-360-936-2694
HSCL/RJHC: Krista Mattox: 503-320-0807
Be safe, wear a mask, love, and respect our diversity from a distance.
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
503-504-5277
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF July 1, 2020:
See COVID Risk Levels by County:
Check out The Harvard Global Health Institute’s new risk level map that shows detailed information on COVID-19 cases for all counties in the United States.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF June 26, 2020:
Dear Cedar Sinai Park Colleagues, Residents, Families, and Friends,
We must begin this week’s update with heartfelt gratitude to Dru Rosenthal, Development and Communication Director, Grace Hollandsworth, Events and Communication Manager and Alison Burger, Executive Assistant for their FABULOUS work developing and debuting CSP’s 100th Annual Meeting of the Members a la Zoom.
Despite the distance, the energies of warmth, humor and hope were felt by those who attended. We loved seeing all of you!
Elise Brickner-Schulz, Mazel Tov on your election to serve as Cedar Sinai Park’s Chair of the Board of Trustees. I anticipate a bright future together.
Ivan Gold, thank you so much for your dynamic leadership. We look forward to a lively strategic planning process with your guidance in your new role as Immediate Past Chair.
If you missed the meeting or want an encore performance, click on the link below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgFHDE3yEEU
On the COVID-19 front, here’s what we’ve learned since last week:
In Oregon:
As we finish the first week of phase one opening in Multnomah County, new modeling shows that COVID-19 is spreading more rapidly in Oregon based on data through June 18, 2020. CSP continues to monitor this rise closely.
Nationally:
On June 23, 2020, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) issued additional guidance on “reopening” long-term care communities for communal dining, activities, and visitation. Each long-term care community must work in conjunction with the state, county and specific locality to determine best and safest practices prior to initiation of any plan.
What does this mean for CSP?
What you can do as a colleague, resident, family and friend:
From Dean Sidelinger, MD, Oregon State Health Officer:
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact the campus administrators or me. We will assist you in any way possible.
RSM: Vivian Villegas: 1-360-936-2694
HSCL/RJHC: Krista Mattox: 503-320-0807
Shabbat Shalom,
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
503-504-5277
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF June 22, 2020:
Dear Cedar Sinai Park Colleagues, Residents, Families, and Friends,
Due to the indefatigable efforts of the Rose Schnitzer Manor (RSM) team, our consultant Patti Garibaldi, RN and our medical director Kirsten Carr, MD in conjunction with the Oregon Health Authority (OHA), we are pleased to share the following update regarding COVID-19 testing of all RSM residents and staff:
What does this mean?
Please note: All federal and state safety measures
in place for RSM and RJHC/HSCL remain the same.
Please see the link below for reminders and resources from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for our staff, residents, families and our general community about preventing the spread of COVID-19 (in a multitude of languages):
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/communication/print-resources.html
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact the campus administrators or me. We will assist you in any way possible.
RSM: Vivian Villegas: 1-360-936-2694
HSCL/RJHC: Krista Mattox: 503-320-0807
Wishing all an early Shabbat Shalom and Juneteenth!
With love, honor, and respect,
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
503-504-5277
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF June 18, 2020:
Dear Cedar Sinai Park Colleagues, Residents, Families, and Friends,
What an incredible week it has been for our country, state and CSP! This morning, the Supreme Court ruled that the Dreamers can still dream (for now). Monday, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was expanded to include our LGBTQ family and friends. We continue to experience the not-so-steady re-opening up of our state……and tomorrow Multnomah County moves to phase one reopening followed by required masking/face-covering in indoor public areas June 24, 2020.
At CSP, as shared last week, we initiated COVID-19 testing for all RSM residents and staff. As of 9:00 a.m. this morning:
We continue to be cautiously optimistic regarding the remaining pending results and are keeping in close contact with the Oregon Health Authority as we move through this process.
All Long Term-Care Staff and Resident COVID-19 Testing Update:
We received the expected guidance regarding the testing plan late in the evening June 15, 2020. Below is the summary followed by links for those who want a deep-dive:
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/ORDHS/bulletins/290ea16
https://sharedsystems.dhsoha.state.or.us/DHSForms/Served/le2721.pdf
Multnomah County Phase One Reopening: What does it mean for CSP?
All current measures in place for RSM and RJHC/HSCL remain the same for the next 14-21 days per recommendations/guidelines from the Governor’s Office, Department of Human Services, Oregon Health Authority, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid.
Stay tuned: Next week’s update will include more detail as we know more about the success of Multnomah County’s phase one reopening.
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact the campus administrators or me. We will assist you in any way possible.
RSM: Vivian Villegas: 1-360-936-2694
HSCL/RJHC: Krista Mattox: 503-320-0807
Wishing all an early Shabbat Shalom and Juneteenth!
With love, honor, and respect,
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
503-504-5277
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF June 11, 2020:
Dear Cedar Sinai Park Colleagues, Residents, Families, and Friends,
Since our last communication June 7, 2020, there have been many new updates and guidance to long term care communities as well as our own updates here on campus. Here’s what we know today:
On our Cedar Sinai Park Campus:
In Oregon:
Steps that need to be taken prior to launching of the plan include initiating a communication strategy for informing facility operators, health care providers, and laboratories about the new plan, and updating testing guidelines. OHA and DHS will also be working with long-term care facilities to implement recommended best practices for ongoing monitoring.
On June 10, 2020, Adult Protective Services (APD) Interim Director Mike McCormick, sent a communication to stakeholders reminding them to remain diligent in their efforts to prevent new infections including continuing with current infection control strategies. He indicated that as of now, all of APD’s COVID-19 policies remain in place recognizing the hardship it creates, but adding that “we must be very cautious about potential exposure, especially in large, congregate long-term care facilities, as the consequences can be dire.”
Mike indicated that in the coming days, OHA and DHS will release full details of the testing plan. He added that APD will soon have more information on how visitation policies will adapt as counties throughout the state enter Phase 2 of reopening. APD is also drafting rules to reimburse facilities for testing of staff.
For more details: https://www.oregon.gov/newsroom/Pages/NewsDetail.aspx?newsid=36767
Nationally:
https://www.medpagetoday.com/infectiousdisease/covid19/86967
We will continue to monitor the site and follow up to make sure our data gets corrected. If you wish to follow along:
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact the campus administrators or me. We will assist you in any way possible.
RSM: Vivian Villegas: 1-360-936-2694
HSCL/RJHC: Krista Mattox: 503-320-0807
With love, honor, and respect,
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
503-504-5277
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF June 7, 2020:
Dear Cedar Sinai Park Colleagues, Residents, Families, and Friends,
Since our last communication June 5, 2020, we are relieved to share that our resident in post-acute care and both CSP staff members have all tested negative for COVID-19.
That being said, late last night we learned that an RSM resident’s private duty caregiver from an outside agency has tested positive for COVID-19. Two other staff members from this agency are affected and are testing and self-quarantining at this time.
We have notified public health officials as required and are following procedures recommended by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC). We are taking every step as recommended by authorities and some additional steps we believe are important as an organization to contain the spread at this time. We want to make residents, their families, and our dedicated staff aware of this situation and reassure everyone that we are on top of it:
As I’ve said before (and there’s really no better way to say it clearly), developments are changing day by day, minute by minute. Our focus remains on the health and well-being of our community. We must also continue to recognize our team for the concern and commitment they have shown to our residents during this challenging time. Truly, our mission has never been more meaningful.
We want to assure you that we have educated our staff on infection control processes and procedures to keep our residents and employees safe and will continue to take the necessary precautions. We ask that you do the same.
We ask that our colleagues, residents, families and staff stay positive, have faith and do all that we can to support our community by following the recommendations set forth by the CDC. Thank you all for your support.
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/index.html
We will provide updates as we learn more from our testing.
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact the campus administrators or me. We will assist you in any way possible.
RSM: Vivian Villegas: 1-360-936-2694
HSCL/RJHC: Krista Mattox: 503-320-0807
With love, honor, and respect,
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
503-504-5277
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF June 5, 2020:
Dear Cedar Sinai Park Colleagues, Residents, Families, and Friends,
As you know, in compliance with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid CMS guidelines, we have been actively screening employees and assessing/screening residents for symptoms of upper respiratory illnesses since the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, we have been following all CDC and CMS guidelines for infection control and prevention, including enhanced sanitization of community spaces, modification of services to promote social distancing, and the provision of personal protective equipment for healthcare personnel.
Per guidance from the Oregon Health Authority (OHA), CDC and CMS, we are writing to inform you that we are awaiting test results for two staff (one from Robison and one from RSM) and one resident. Neither staff member is symptomatic but both reported they were exposed to a family member that tested positive. As a preventive measure, we have already asked these individuals to self-quarantine at home, and we are working closely with OHA to track and identify any other people with whom these staff members may have had close contact. Please note that our staff member from Robison has not been on campus for the last nine days and therefore the risk of transmission to other staff or residents is considered low.
It is out of an abundance of caution we are testing a resident from RJHC post-acute for the fourth time in two weeks (the first three test results were negative). This resident has underlying conditions.
If either employee or our resident is confirmed to have a case of COVID-19, we will follow all CDC and OHA instructions.
Developments are changing day by day, minute by minute. Our focus remains on the health and well-being of our community. We must also recognize our team for the concern and commitment they have shown to our residents during this challenging time. Our mission has never been more meaningful.
We ask that our residents and staff do all that they can to support our community by following the recommendations set forth by the CDC:
• Social Distancing/staying home if possible – at least six (6) feet away from others
• Washing Hands for 20 seconds with soap and water
• Avoid touching your face
• Self-isolating if showing any signs or symptoms of COVID-19
• Seek medical assistance as necessary
We want to assure you that we have educated our staff on infection control processes and procedures to keep our residents and employees safe and will continue to take the necessary precautions. We ask that you do the same. Thank you all for your support. We will provide updates once we receive results.
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact the campus administrators or me. We will assist you in any way possible.
RSM: Vivian Villegas: 1-360-936-2694
HSCL/RJHC: Krista Mattox: 503-320-0807
With love, honor, and respect,
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
503-504-5277
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF June 4, 2020 Evening Update
Dear Cedar Sinai Park Colleagues, Residents, Families, and Friends,
This week the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) posted first round COVID-19 information from their new reporting system for nursing homes and assisted living communities. Based on information from the CDC, Oregon Live yesterday posted an article that questioned whether eight Oregon nursing home staff members had died from COVID-19. THAT INFORMATION IS NOT ACCURATE.
We have traced the inaccurate information to an innocent data entry error by one of our staff members who was completing the new CDC data request for the first time. The error has been corrected with the CDC and the Oregon Live reporter, State Ombudsman Office, the Oregon Department of Human Services and Oregon Health Authority have all been advised.
Please know that no Cedar Sinai Park staff or residents have died as a result COVID-19 to date and only two members of our staff have tested positive to date.
We know our status can change from one moment to the next. Our staff continue to be vigilant in monitoring all residents, staff and essential professionals for signs and symptoms.
I want to assure you that we will continue to communicate with you in the most clear, complete, timely, TRANSPARENT and ACCURATE manner.
We sincerely apologize for any undue concern this has caused.
With love, honor, and respect,
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
503-504-5277
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF June 4, 2020
Dear Cedar Sinai Park Colleagues, Residents, Families, and Friends,
The past week has been especially difficult as we not only faced the continuation of the coronavirus pandemic but a worsening of the societal infection that is known as racism and discrimination.
This is a perfect time to reflect on what has made Cedar Sinai Park one of the most highly regarded senior communities in the country for a century. And that answer is very simple — our people. Our people come from diverse backgrounds — we are every color and every gender; we are from every religious and spiritual practice. Each and every day we come together in compassion to care for our most venerated elders.
I want to express my deepest gratitude to the 300 members of our Cedar Sinai Park team — our colleagues— because you truly represent the best of the best. Working in healthcare is one of the toughest jobs there is — there is no question that the people of Cedar Sinai Park are extraordinary!
I began my career in long-term care in 1990 as a social worker. The universal lesson learned over the past 30 years is that every person working with seniors in healthcare are heroes. We understand that together we make a profound difference to those whose lives we serve. That is why I can say with great sincerity that this is both a thank-you note and a love letter to my colleagues at Cedar Sinai Park:
Thank you for working together so diligently every day to make sure others are able to receive the care they need to be safe. Thank you for understanding that our differences make us stronger. You all are superheroes. Know that each day you go to work you inspire me, our residents, families, and community.
Residents, Families and Friends: Please join me in expressing love and appreciation for our healthcare heroes by sharing some words of encouragement via email at:
staff.appreciation@cedarsinaipark.org
We’ll share your notes with our colleagues and community!
With love, honor, and respect,
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
503-504-5277
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF May 28, 2020
Dear Colleagues, Residents, Families and Friends,
As Oregon begins Phase 1 of its re-opening plan, we are seeing lower incidences of COVID-19 in long-term care settings. This morning we learned Multnomah County is looking to June 12, 2020 to begin phase 1 re-opening. Please remember that nursing homes and assisted living are considered part of phase 3. This means we will continue our current practices around group activity, dining, and visitation.
This past week, The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) released guidance directed to state leaders towards developing their policies related to nursing homes and re-opening. Each state will issue their guidance/recommendations specific to that state’s long-term care communities, including assisted living and memory care.
Additionally, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) released two updated resources related to blanket testing of staff and residents in nursing homes. This is a topic that continues to evolve and can vary from state to state and county to county.
Last Friday night, we learned the Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS) is in the process of carefully reviewing White House, CMS and CDC guidelines and developing long-range plans that meet Oregon’s specific needs around long-term care admissions, large-scale testing of residents and staff and “re-opening” long-term care gatherings such as dining, group activities and visitors. This plan will most likely “trump” some of Oregon’s current scenarios and change some of our current (and developing) policy. We continue to work with our county and state officials in addition to hospitals, labs, and other partners on implementing testing protocols for residents/patients who are being newly admitted to long-term care settings. We and our long-term care colleagues in the field believe this will take parties 2-4 weeks longer to clarify and map the plan and will revise our policy to reflect changes once the state has decided its regulatory pathway.
Please remember: This is new territory for us all. There is no precedence.
There are still so many uncertainties and considerations. It’s challenging.
COVID-19 is costly, both in lives and dollars.
Colleague Update: We are grateful each member of our team is healthy with no signs or symptoms of COVID-19. We have adequate amounts of PPE and continue to procure to assure we are ready for the future. Full PPE (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) approved N95 respirators, shields/goggles, gowns and of course, gloves) are being used only in the special admission neighborhoods at Robison for staff caring for new residents at this time.
In all other care areas and departments, CSP is using primarily KN95 masks for staff use as face masks (not respirators) as approved by the Oregon Health Authority. If you require accommodation for paper surgical masks, please see your supervisor. We are using the KN95 for the following reasons:
Resident Update: We continue to rigorously monitor all residents each shift and strongly encourage appropriate distancing and the use of masks during care and when in common areas.
Please note: The CDC clearly states the use of masks is not meant
to insinuate full prevention from catching COVID-19,
but reduces the chance of exposure.
Tonight, at sundown we celebrate Shavuot, the spring harvest and God’s giving of the Torah to the Jewish people at Mt. Sinai. As so eloquently shared by the deeply thoughtful, wise, and passionate women in my Rosh Chodesh group, it is a holiday of giving and receiving. Wearing a mask while out in public is a beautiful expression of giving and receiving in our community.
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact the campus administrators or me. We will assist you in any way possible.
RSM: Vivian Villegas: 1-360-936-2694
HSCL/RJHC: Krista Mattox: 503-320-0807
Chag Shavuot Sameach,
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
503-504-5277
Many of you have asked for additional information. Below are links to a collection of resources and articles we hope you find helpful.
https://www.ltsscenter.org/whats-the-evidence-for-wearing-masks
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/27/opinion/coronavirus-masks.html
https://www.bendsource.com/bend/make-masks-cool/Content?oid=12274199
https://govstatus.egov.com/OR-OHA-COVID-19
https://www.oregon.gov/dhs/Pages/index.aspx
https://www.leadingageoregon.org/coronavirus-updates-resources
https://leadingage.org/covid19
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/long-term-care.html
We would love you to follow us on Facebook:
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF May 22, 2020
Invitation to Annual Meeting to all Cedar Sinai Park Colleagues, Residents, Families, and Friends,
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF May 21, 2020
Dear Cedar Sinai Park Colleagues, Residents, Families, and Friends,
Last Saturday night we were to gather together at Pure Space for the “Birthday Bash of the Century,” celebrating Cedar Sinai Park’s 100th Anniversary. Please join me in giving a BIG virtual hug to our Chair, Marcy Tonkin, Steering Committee Members Michelle Eastern Gradow, Eddy Schuldman, Karen Blauer, Liz Lippoff and each member of our Anniversary and Events Committees for their hard work and effort in bringing life and passion to all events to date. A significant part of our 100th year is the newly launched “Our Stories” project. Next time you “see” Eddy Schuldman or Karen Blauer, give them an air high five to thank them for their vision in bringing Portland authors together to capture the heart and soul of our rich history.
While we were not able to celebrate in person, I am humbled and inspired by our communities’ outpouring of love, well wishes and financial support. Our fundraising efforts are more important than ever as we seek to meet the needs of those who are depending on us during this challenging time.
Staff Update: Our dedicated staff member who tested positive for COVID-19 retested negative and is happy to be back working with our residents.
Resident Update: We continue to rigorously monitor all residents each shift and encourage appropriate distancing and the use of masks during care and when in common areas.
Regulatory Update: There is much in the news about reopening long-term care. Until there is clear guidance, process, support and supplies from our state and federal partners, Cedar Sinai Park will continue to exercise an abundance of caution and maintain our current protocols.
On that note, this week I’m honored to share my weekly column with Dr. Kirsten Carr, Cedar Sinai Park’s Medical Director:
Testing in the Age of COVID-19
We have now been in the world of the COVID-19 for over two months here in the state of Oregon. My family has been mostly homebound with the occasional nature walks. I have been grateful that this pandemic occurred in the Spring. The rebirth of nature, with the flowers and trees coming back into bloom, has given a daily reminder that our world is capable of regrowth and beauty even when things are not as we planned.
We have learned much about this new virus and how it works. However, effective treatment and a vaccine remain months away as scientists and physicians test and treat patients throughout the world. We know that we will need effective treatments, testing, and tracking before we can return to a more normal state of being. Because testing is something that is available at this time, some have asked the question, “Why not test everyone at this point so we know where we are here on our campus at Cedar Sinai Park?” The reality is, at this point in time, testing is not the best way to keep Cedar Sinai Park safe from infection.
Testing kits are not widely available yet. Although the state and federal governments are trying to secure more testing kits for long term care communities, there is still a significant shortage of available testing kits. We are fortunate to have a stock of testing kits on our campus that would allow one-time testing of residents only. This would not, however, allow for testing of staff nor would it allow for retesting on a regular basis.
Testing for active disease is not 100% accurate. At this time, the testing that we have that is the most accurate for detecting the presence of the disease is a swab of nasal or throat mucous. This test has less than ideal sensitivity (true positive) with a false negative rate of up to 35%. The test is also not completely specific (true negative) with a false positive rate of up to 5%. This means if we tested 200 people on campus, we could potentially tell 70 folks they were negative when they weren’t and they could go to dinner each night and get everyone else sick or on the flip side tell 10 folks that they were positive and move them to a COVID facility in error. The best way to increase accuracy of testing is to test only those with clear symptoms (fever, cough, shortness of breath, etc.) or a known exposure to a known COVID positive person for long periods of time (household contacts).
There is also antibody testing available. Rather than testing for active disease, this test reports if you have had the disease in the past. Antibody testing has the same challenges with accuracy and the FDA has warned that many of these tests have not gone through enough rigorous testing yet to be considered valid. We are also unsure, although we suspect, if having had the disease prevents you from being able to contract it again. We are still waiting for data to support this and to help us understand if this is a lifelong protection or a short-lived protection.
There may come a time when the State or Federal government requires testing. The White House has already suggested nation-wide testing of all nursing home facility residents. This would most likely be one-time testing for the entire campus of residents and ongoing periodic testing of the staff. Each state will decide if this makes sense based on medical evidence as outlined above. If we move to this sort of testing, however, it will not take the place of current infection control measures for the reasons listed. I want to prepare you for these sorts of mandates and the potential downside of them including false reassurance that nobody on campus has COVID. This sort of testing will also not likely change any of the current guidelines related to visitation or congregating in public for long term care facilities.
The most important tools that we have now for preventing spread of this disease are the same ones we have been using for the last two months: hygiene, social distancing, good infection control practices in the community (cleaning), wearing masks, and vigilance. It remains very important to not come within 6-12 feet of another person with whom you don’t share a living space, especially indoors. Please wear at least a cloth mask whenever you leave your room/home to protect your neighbors (and if they wear them, they are protecting you). Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds regularly and in particular after returning to your room from the community or outdoors. We ask that you avoid using public restrooms if possible. Please follow the “one mensch to a bench” guidelines inside and outside.
These are challenging times. Change is hard. But we are a community that is capable of dealing with hard times. There is creativity and ingenuity and a sense of togetherness despite the different look of the world.
“Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if only one remembers to turn on the light.”
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact the campus administrators or me. We will assist you in any way possible.
RSM: Vivian Villegas: 1-360-936-2694
HSCL/RJHC: Krista Mattox: 503-320-0807
With love, honor, and respect,
Kimberly Fuson Kirsten Carr, MD
Chief Executive Officer Medical Director
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF May 14, 2020
Dear Cedar Sinai Park Colleagues, Residents, Families, and Friends,
Gratitude to all who made Mother’s Day one to remember on campus. So many poignant moments of love were shared and felt by our residents and staff. The most important gift our families gave was enduring mindfulness of the importance of keeping our residents, staff, and one another safe by respecting physical distancing requirements.
Staff Update: Our dedicated staff member who tested positive for COVID-19 has continued to be asymptomatic for 14 days and is retesting as we speak.
Resident Update: We continue to rigorously monitor all residents each shift and encourage appropriate distancing and the use of masks during care and when in common areas.
This past week there have been many updates and revisions from our regulators. The most important information includes:
For those of you who would like a glimpse into what safe reëntry into community might look like, please read the New Yorker article linked below by Atul Gawande, MD, MPH: https://www.newyorker.com/science/medical-dispatch/amid-the-coronavirus-crisis-a-regimen-for-reentry
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact the campus administrators or me. We will assist you in any way possible.
RSM: Vivian Villegas: 1-360-936-2694
HSCL/RJHC: Krista Mattox: 503-320-0807
With love, honor, and respect,
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF May 7, 2020
Dear Cedar Sinai Park Colleagues, Residents, Families, and Friends,
We continue to travel together through the COVID-19 pandemic. We continue to work diligently to maintain a COVID-19 free environment through our infection control practices that follow Federal, State and Public Health guidelines to keep our residents, families and staff as safe as possible from this virus and want you to know that as of today we have no active cases of coronavirus on campus.
This is an update today as a follow up with the goal to keep you fully informed. To date, on campus, we have had two COVID-19 positive staff members. One staff member early in the month of March and one staff member that tested positive last week. With each positive case, Multnomah County Public Health Department reviews extensive infection control practices with the facility staff to assure all appropriate infection control vehicles are in place for health management. Per the Multnomah County Public Health Department, neither of these cases rose to the level of a COVID-19 outbreak and full facility COVID-19 testing was not required.
Neither employee was symptomatic while working on campus. One staff member developed symptoms three days after they last worked on campus and tested positive and remained off work until fully recovered. Our second staff member was asymptomatic and remains asymptomatic. That staff member will remain off campus and will not return to work per appropriate guidelines until after 14 days with no symptoms and with validation of a negative COVID-19 test.
As a campus, we map all residents, staff and others that may have come in contact with or who were potentially exposed to a positive COVID-19 case. We have done that retrospectively 14 days prior to a positive testing and continue to monitor forward. To this date, we have no symptoms of COVID-19 that we are monitoring on campus. We add to symptom monitoring as CDC notifies us of additional symptoms to look for and we do that during each shift for all residents and staff on the campus, and we keep in constant contact with Multnomah County Public Health Department regarding the infection control status of the campus.
We immediately report any positive COVID-19 case or any residents or staff with symptoms of COVID-19 to the State of Oregon Health authorities as well as to Multnomah County Public Health Department as mandated. We also update all of these entities on an ongoing basis. Again, to date, all residents and staff remain asymptomatic of any signs and symptoms of COVID-19.
We want you to know that all of our staff have been trained to detect and inform the nurses and administrative staff on campus, should they note any changes of condition in our residents or staff and we continually thank them for their diligence and compassion.
With that said, we want to extend our heartfelt wishes to all the mothers, grandmothers and the great women that we honor this Mother’s Day weekend. We know that it is a time of celebration and joyful family visits, but at this time, we must continue to strictly adhere to the emergency orders put in place by the Department of Human Services that are still in effect and include restrictions for social distancing, communal dining, essential visitors and screening for all individuals. Families will need to understand that if their mother, grandmother or anyone else residing in the community leaves the facility for an outing during this time, they will be placed in quarantine for 14 days on their return.
These restrictions do not mean the day cannot be meaningful. Please contact us so that we can help in any way to support you in celebrating your loved one.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the campus administrators or me. We will assist you in any way possible.
RSM: Vivian Villegas: 1-360-936-2694
HSCL/RJHC: Krista Mattox: 503-320-0807
With love, honor, and respect,
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF May 2, 2020
Dear Cedar Sinai Park Colleagues, Residents, Families, and Friends,
Today, a case of COVID-19, the illness resulting from the novel coronavirus, has been diagnosed in an employee of our community.
The staff member is in quarantine at home. We have notified public health officials as required and are following procedures recommended by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention. We are taking every step as recommended by authorities to contain the spread. We want to make residents, their families, and our dedicated staff aware of this situation and reassure everyone that we are on top of it.
Developments are changing day by day, minute by minute. Our focus remains on the health and well-being of our community. We must also recognize our team for the concern and commitment they have shown to our residents during this challenging time. Our mission has never been more meaningful.
We ask that our residents, staff and families continue do all that they can to support our community by following the recommendations set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
We want to assure you that we have educated and continue to educate and monitor our staff regarding infection control processes and procedures to keep our residents and employees safe and will continue to take the necessary precautions. We ask that you do the same.
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) requires Cedar Sinai Park (CSP) to protect the health information of the clients it serves and its employees. Employees of CSP are required by the mission of Cedar Sinai Park and by HIPAA to ensure and promote the privacy of residents and staff.
Thank you all for your support. We will provide updates regularly. If you have any questions, please feel free to call me or our administrators directly:
RSM: Vivian Villegas: 1-360-936-2694
HSCL/RJHC: Krista Mattox: 503-320-0807
With love, honor, and respect,
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF April 30, 2020
Dear Cedar Sinai Park Colleagues, Residents, Families, and Friends,
On behalf of our residents and colleagues, I want to thank our families and friends for all the love at last Sunday’s Joy Ride Parade, for honoring our request to maintain a safety zone and doing your part to help mitigate spreading the Coronavirus on campus.
We continue to be deeply grateful to each of our CSP colleagues for your dedication and diligence in providing care to residents round the clock. Your continued rigor in infection control practices including ongoing assessment of residents and ourselves for signs and symptoms has kept our residents COVID-19 free to date and mitigated our staff incidence to only one positive case to date. YOU ARE OUR HEROES.
We are pleased to share that CSP has maintained an adequate supply of personal protective equipment for daily use throughout the pandemic and that we continue to expand our back up and emergency stock. Our pharmacy, oxygen, and food orders and deliveries have not been affected. Most cleaning supplies have been accessible; we have a backup supply of 100 gallons of hand sanitizer should our Purell supplies run out.
Through the generous donations and handiwork of our community as of tomorrow, we will have received enough cloth masks to provide to all residents on our Boundary Street campus, at our affordable housing communities, and to staff for personal use while off-campus.
This Shabbat marks the end of our seventh week navigating the waters of this COVID-19 pandemic. The Talmud says, “The highest form of wisdom is kindness.” Thank you all for being so kind during this most trying time.
With love, honor, and respect,
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF April 23, 2020
Dear Cedar Sinai Park Colleagues, Residents, Families and Friends,
Due to the mindfulness of our incredible team, the patience and trust of our residents, and by the grace of God, Cedar Sinai Park remains COVID-19 free as of this writing.
You may have heard that the White House has issued a document called “Opening Up America Again”. This document is a guide to be followed when the appropriate time comes and we can begin to return to a more “regular” routine in our society. https://www.whitehouse.gov/openingamerica/
Please know that now is NOT the time to open up our country, or Cedar Sinai Park. Now is the time we must continue the deeply conscientious loving care and special attention we give to our residents and one another.
Our state and federal mandates to restrict communal dining, activities and visitation on campus continues at this time. Only essential medical and emergency personnel, attorneys, guardians, vendors for the purpose of maintaining essential services and visitors to residents who are at the end of life may enter Cedar Sinai Park.
Recently some of our families have visited with residents who were enjoying the beautiful weather outside on campus. Our campus is an open one with outdoor spaces accessible to everyone. However, given current health and safety concerns, we need to maintain a safety zone throughout “the Park”.
Please refrain from “hanging out” with residents outdoors on campus.
It greatly increases our risk of exposure to COVID-19.
We know these restrictions are hard on the hearts and souls of us as a community, but are essential to mitigate the spread of disease.
With the partnership of The Jewish Federation of Greater Portland, we’ve arranged a safe way for us to get together!
Please join us Sunday April 26, 2020 from 2:00-3:00 pm for a
Joy Ride Parade:
“How wonderful is it that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.”
With love, honor, and respect,
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF April 14, 2020
Dear Cedar Sinai Park Colleagues, Residents, Families, and Friends,
Pesach on campus this year deeply touched our hearts and souls. Although we celebrated physically apart, residents were able to virtually connect to family, our beloved volunteers (really family) Amy Shapiro, Jeff Olenick and Barbara Slader, and to staff who filled residents’ cups with Chesed.
As long as this time of COVID -19 and resulting restrictions persist, our goal is to keep everyone healthy in body, mind and spirit. It continues to take our “village” to make this happen. We remain COVID-free at this moment.
My most profound gratitude to our families and friends for your understanding that distance not only makes the heart grow fonder, but makes all the difference in our ability to keep the virus at bay; to our trustees for your constant support and encouragement; and most importantly, to our staff, all of whom are heroes and to our residents, for YOU are the inspiration that guides and motivates us to see each day as a new beginning.
“Let the good in me connect with the good in others, until all the world is transformed through the compelling power of love.”
With love, honor, and respect,
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF April 9, 2020
Dear Cedar Sinai Park Colleagues, Residents, Families, and Friends,
While we were celebrating the holiday last night, a story appeared on OregonLive, the on-line property of The Oregonian, that examined the spread of coronavirus through senior care homes across the state. It contains INACCURATE information regarding Robison Jewish Home.
Please know that no Cedar Sinai Park resident has been diagnosed with COVID-19 to date and only one member of our staff has tested positive to date. That person has been in quarantine since the onset of symptoms, recuperating at home and has now been cleared to return to work. Our staff is working diligently to keep it that way.
We know our status can change from one moment to the next. Our staff continue to be vigilant in monitoring all residents, staff and essential professionals for signs and symptoms.
I want to assure you that we will continue to communicate with you in the most clear, complete, timely, and ACCURATE manner.
With love, honor, and respect,
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF April 7, 2020
Dear Cedar Sinai Park Colleagues, Residents, Families, and Friends,
As the eve of the Virtual Pesach of 5780 draws near, we are delighted to share the COVID-19 quarantine has been lifted.
Like Moses, we must be relentless in our efforts to free ourselves of this virus (dare I say plague). We must vigilantly take good care of and protect ourselves and one another by continuing to practice physical distancing and extra attention to hand washing and hygiene in our homes.
We know how hard it is to be separated. While we want to hug all of you,
we must remain mindful and careful until this virus has truly passed!
RJHC/HSCL and RSM will maintain room service dining and activity per the continued guidance of the CDC, CMS and our local authorities. There is now additional guidance regarding covering the mouths and noses of residents during care encounters to further mitigate risk of exposure. Through your Gemilut Hasadim, we are gathering enough cloth masks for our beloved residents.
We are humbled by the selfless generosity of our families, friends and community, by the limitless courage and devotion of our staff and by the wisdom, humor, and resilience of our residents.
“Together forever, never apart, sometimes in distance but never in heart.”
Chag Pesach Sameach,
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF April 2, 2020
Dear Cedar Sinai Park Residents, Clients, Families and Colleagues,
It is such a privilege to be counted as a member of our CSP family; the devotion and dedication of our staff to one another and our residents, clients and patients through this challenging time is an inspiration!
While this can be a scary time, please know the leadership team is working day and night to assure we have what we need to keep our staff, residents, clients and patients’ hearts, minds, souls and bodies safe.
Since our last communication March 26, we are pleased to share the Norovirus quarantine has been lifted. One virus conquered, one to go.
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF MARCH 26, 2020
TO: All Cedar Sinai Park Colleagues, Residents, Families, and Friends
FROM: Kimberly Fuson, Chief Executive Officer
RE: Positive Case of COVID-19
Dear Colleagues, Residents, Families, and Friends,
Today, a case of COVID-19, the illness resulting from the novel coronavirus, has been diagnosed in an employee of our community.
The staff member is in quarantine at home. We have notified public health officials as required and are following procedures recommended by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention. We are taking every step as recommended by authorities to contain the spread. We want to make residents, their families, and our dedicated staff aware of this situation and reassure everyone that we are on top of it.
Developments are changing day by day, minute by minute. Our focus remains on the health and well-being of our community. We must also recognize our team for the concern and commitment they have shown to our residents during this challenging time. Our mission has never been more meaningful.
We ask that our residents and staff do all that they can to support our community by following the recommendations set forth by the CDC:
We want to assure you that we have educated our staff on infection control processes and procedures to keep our residents and employees safe and will continue to take the necessary precautions. We ask that you do the same.
Thank you all for your support. We will provide updates regularly. If you have any questions, please let me know.
With love, honor and respect,
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF MARCH 25, 2020
Since our communication on March 17, we are pleased to share there is no known COVID-19 at Cedar Sinai Park and that the gastrointestinal outbreak at RJHC/HSCL is resolving at a rapid pace. We continue to work diligently to keep our residents, patients, participants, clients and staff safe, in good spirits, and virus-free.
I am very proud and humbled by the great heart and dedication of our staff. We are working to assure their health and welfare as we navigate the unprecedented waters of this pandemic, including access to personal protective equipment (PPE) as well as hand sanitizer and antiviral cleaning supplies.
While we cannot gather in person for Pesach this year, please stay tuned for information regarding our special Seder and Easter plans 5780/2020.
A reminder that visitors continue to be restricted except for essential legal, medical, and emergency personnel and visitors to residents who are at the end of life.
We are joining hands with the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland (JFGP) to support the needs of our Jewish community during this critical time. Please consider supporting these efforts by making a donation to the COVID-19 Relief Fund. https://www.jewishportland.org/covid19relief.
Please stay in close touch; it’s our community connections that keep us strong and positive; you are each a blessing.
With love, honor, and respect,
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF MARCH 17, 2020
Since our communication on March 14, 2020, we are pleased to share there is noCOVID-19 at Cedar Sinai Park.
This afternoon the Oregon Department of Human Services increased restrictions on visitation policies for all assisted living communities, nursing homes, residential care facilities, adult foster homes and group homes for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to further prevent the spread of COVID-19.
DHS is taking this action in consultation with the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) at the request of Governor Brown. OHA and DHS have determined that, given the increase in COVID-19 cases, these additional restrictions are essential to protect those at greater risk of the most severe outcomes of this disease.
The updated restrictions limit all visitors except essential medical and emergency personnel and visitors to residents who are in the end of life.
We know these restrictions are hard on the hearts and souls of us as a community, but are essential to mitigate the spread of disease. We will continue to nurture the social, spiritual and emotional needs of our residents via special room service programs and assistance in connecting with family and friends via technology.
For more information about what’s happening in Oregon: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/ORDHS/bulletins/281a5b5
With love, honor, and respect,
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF MARCH 14, 2020
President Trump has declared a national emergency as a result of COVID-19. This development triggers heightened infection control practices and protocols as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Please know that maintaining the health, wellness, and safety of our residents and staff is our number one priority.
Once the County Health Department lifts the current gastrointestinal quarantine at RJHC/HSCL, we will continue to restrict visitation as required by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for COVID-19. Effective immediately, RSM is joining RJHC/HSCL in restricting visitation. Based on federal guidance, no visitors will be permitted into our community except for essential medical personnel and certain compassionate care situations, such as a family member’s end-of-life.
Per CMS recommendation HSCL and RSM will join RJHC, in implementing the following additional safeguards:
(Note: Working quickly with this new information, we began this during today’s lunch hour and while there were a few bumps, we now have what promises to be a smooth system in place).
Please know that the news about the spread of this new disease is concerning for us all. In addition to restricting visitation to prevent the illness on our campus, we are also focused on infection control best practices with our staff and residents. Staff have been trained on the symptoms of the coronavirus (COVID-19), CDC recommended infection prevention techniques, and have clear protocols for staff to stay home and not come to work if they are ill or symptomatic.
Additional Impacts from the National Emergency Declaration
The President announced during his press conference declaring a national emergency, that he was suspending the Medicare’s three-day stay requirement before a SNF admission. We have not yet seen anything in writing about this from CMS and will forward to you when we receive any more information.
CMS is waiving 42 CFR 483.20 to provide relief to SNFs on the timeframe requirements for Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessments and transmissions. CMS has not yet issued technical guidance on how to implement.
For “certain beneficiaries who recently exhausted their SNF benefits, the waiver authorizes renewed SNF coverage without first having to start a new benefit period.” CMS has not yet issued technical guidance on how to implement.
Separately, the House of Representatives passed a relief package late yesterday. It still must be passed in the Senate, but it includes a temporary 6.2% FMAP increase to state Medicaid programs, paid sick leave for employers with 500 employees or less, tax credits, and funding for certain tests. We will continue to monitor this legislation and keep you posted about possible implementation.
We continue to monitor information and guidance from CMS, CDC, and the Oregon Health Authority, and are working with state and local public health and emergency preparedness officials to prevent the illness and strengthen our preparation for and response to outbreak.
For additional information, please visit the CDC’s coronavirus disease information page at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/ or the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) at https://www.cms.gov/About-CMS/Agency-Information/Emergency/EPRO/Current-Emergencies/Current-Emergencies-page.
We will keep you updated.
With love, honor, and respect,
Kimberly Fuson
Chief Executive Officer
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