Middlechurch Home of Winnipeg

Additional information regarding the COVID-19 Immunization for our Residents

Revised: January 12, 2021

The Middlechurch Home of Winnipeg will be offering and administrating the COVID-19 vaccination in the upcoming weeks.

BENEFITS OF THE COVID-19 VACCINATION

· The COVID-19 vaccine is very important for people who are more likely to be in contact with the virus because of where they live. This includes people who live in a care facility such as a personal care home.
· The mRNA COVID-19 vaccines made by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna have been approved by Health Canada. These vaccines are being offered to residents who live in long term care facilities.
· The vaccine is safe and effective in protecting again`st the COVID-19 virus.
· The vaccine works with the person’s immune system to make antibodies which protects the person from being infected by the virus.
· A person cannot get COVID-19 from the vaccine.
· The vaccine is given by injection into a muscle in the upper arm, similar to the flu shot, and requires two doses given 28 days apart to work best.
· Residents who have tested positive for COVID-19 and have recovered may still benefit from receiving the vaccine

RESIDENT HEALTH HISTORY

The mRNA COVID-19 vaccine should not be given to people who are allergic to the active substance or any other ingredients in the vaccine.
Polyethylene glycol (PEG) is a potential allergen included in the COVID-19 mRNA vaccines known to cause possible allergic reactions, including serious reactions.

· Polyethylene glycol may be found in many products including bowel preparation products for colonoscopy, laxatives, cough syrup, cosmetics, contact lens care solutions, skin care products, and as an additive in some food and drinks
· Residents who have a fever or other symptoms that could be due to COVID-19 on the day of vaccination won’t be vaccinated at that time, but will have an opportunity to be vaccinated at a later date.

RISKS

There may be side effects from the vaccine, but they tend to be mild and go away after a few days. The most common adverse reactions to the COVID-19 vaccine that have been identified so far are:
· Soreness in the arm where the vaccine was given, tiredness, headache, muscle pain, chills, joint pain and fever.

Other symptoms that may occur are:
· Swelling and redness in the arm area where the vaccine was given, nausea, enlarged lymph nodes and feeling unwell.

Residents will be closely monitored after receiving the vaccine in the unlikely event of a severe allergic reaction (including hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling of the throat, tongue or lips). Protocols are in place to manage any serious allergic reactions.

· Medications like acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol®) or ibuprofen (e.g., Advil®) may be used to help manage effects like pain or fever, if they occur after vaccination.
· Any adverse effects following vaccination will be reported to Manitoba Health and Health Canada.

Even after the residents are vaccinated, infection control measures will continue to be in place at the Middlechurch Home of Winnipeg.

All resident immunization information is recorded in the provincial immunization registry and this will include the COVID-19 vaccine. This registry allows health care providers to find out which immunizations residents have had or need to have. The Personal Health Information Act protects this information from being accessed unnecessarily.

THE CONSENT PROCESS

A member from our care team will contact you in the upcoming days to obtain consent for the COVID-19 vaccine to be administered.

By providing consent, you are:

· Agreeing that you have read and understood the fact sheets regarding the mRNA COVID-19 vaccine

· Consenting to the administration of the vaccine to (name of resident)

· Acknowledging that you have had the opportunity to ask questions about the mRNA COVID-19 vaccine which were answered to your satisfaction

·The consent will be for both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, given 28 days apart, unless the resident’s health history changes, or the content of the factsheets or consent form changes. If this occurs, we will contact you again to discuss the changes and ask for your consent.

In order to record your verbal consent to the vaccine, we need to document your:

· Name

· Relationship to the resident

· Phone number

The consent process can include a verbal consent over the phone or written consent by the resident.

Below you will find the factsheets regarding the COVID-19 Vaccine.

COVID-19 Vaccine Reaction Factsheet

COVID-19 mRNA Vaccine – Public Health Factsheet

Once again, we want to thank you for your time in reading this information and your patience as we all continue to work together to stop the spread of COVID-19.

Information regarding the COVID-19 Immunizations for our Residents

Revised: January 8, 2021

The Middlechurch Home of Winnipeg is preparing for the COVID -19 vaccinations for our residents. Below you will find information regarding the vaccine.

COVID-19 Vaccine Reaction Factsheet

COVID-19 mRNA Vaccine – Public Health Factsheet

We will be contacting families within the upcoming week with more information regarding this Provincial Initiative.

Once again, we want to thank you for your understanding and patience as we all continue to work together to stop the spread of COVID-19.

Notice for bringing of food items into the facility

Revised: December 17, 2020

During the holiday season many of our families and friends are wanting to drop off items and gifts. All essential items (e.g., dentures, hearing aids) must be appropriately cleaned and disinfected upon arrival. Personal/Other Items (e.g. food, plants, flowers, newspapers, cards, and books) are permitted but must be dedicated to the intended resident only and not shared amongst residents.

We are not accepting food items that are intended for staff as a gift during this period of outbreak (RED ZONE). We thank you for your kindness and keeping our staff in your thoughts.

Once again, we want to thank you for your understanding as we all continue to work together to stop the spread of COVID-19. Please be advised that the above information may change as the situation evolves.

Notice of third employee COVID-19 positive case

December 16, 2020

We became aware of an employee of the Middlechurch Home of Winnipeg who tested positive with the COVID-19 virus on December 16, 2020. The employee was not a direct care worker. Outbreak management measures continue to be in place. All Residents are being closely monitored for any signs and symptoms of COVID -19 and staff are being screened prior to each shift. If symptoms present, we will test residents for COVID-19. If your family member is tested at any time, you will be contacted directly. At this time, no residents or other employees are exhibiting symptoms.

All visitations to the Middlechurch Home of Winnipeg remain on hold at this time out of an abundance of caution. Out of precaution, an outbreak at the Middlechurch Home of Winnipeg has been declared an outbreak (RED ZONE) and complete outbreak measures are in place until further notice. We will continue to update loved ones if there is any changes. We will re-open the facility to essential visitors as soon as this case has been resolved and there are no additional cases.

COVID Update

December 2, 2020

Personal Care Homes (PCHs) within the Winnipeg Metropolitan Area continue to be RED (CRITICAL) in the Province’s Pandemic Response System.

This does NOT mean that there have been any additional outbreaks within the Middlechurch Home of Winnipeg that have not been shared publicly.

All visitations to the Middlechurch Home of Winnipeg will remain on hold at this time out of an abundance of caution.

The safety and well-being of residents, and staff, within our personal care home is our top priority. Across Manitoba, personal care homes and other long-term care facilities have followed all public health advise and recommendations to decrease the risk of COVID-19 within their facilities. This has included strict protocols for staff, residents and visitors, enhanced cleaning protocols, visitor restrictions, and universal use of personal protective equipment.

We know that spread of COVID-19 in the community at large remains a concern within the Winnipeg Metropolitan Area and has resulted in additional cases throughout the city and surrounding communities which poses a significant risk to our vulnerable populations such as those in personal care homes.

The RED (CRITICAL) alert status will remain in place until it is lifted by the Province’s Chief Provincial Public Health Officer.

The outdoor all season shelter that has been provided to the Middlechurch Home of Winnipeg by the Province of Manitoba will be opening soon. Please continue to visit our website for updates regarding the all season shelter that will allow residents to safely visit with loved ones.

Resident Christmas Photos

December 1, 2020

If you would like to receive a Christmas picture of your loved one please email your request to MCHgenresidentcomm@middlechurchhome.mb.ca. Please include in the subject line “Resident Christmas Photo” and the residents name. Please have your request in no later than December 4th, 2020. Photos will be taken during the week of December 7th – December 11th and emailed during the same week.

Outdoor Shelter for Visitations

November 19, 2020

The outdoor all season shelter that has been provided to the Middlechurch Home of Winnipeg by the Province of Manitoba is nearing installation completion. The all season shelters at personal care homes (PCH) will allow residents to safely visit with loved ones.

A total of $17.9 million is being invested in visitation shelters consisting of single-use shipping containers repurposed and fitted-out for a completely finished visiting facility. Each unit will have a visiting room with space for one resident and up to five visitors. Visitors will enter the visiting room from the outside of the personal care home, while an enclosed link will ensure residents have direct access from the personal care home. Electrical and mechanical systems have been designed to ensure each shelter is functional all year round. In keeping with public health guidelines, systems will be in place to provide required air changes and interior finishes will allow easy cleaning.

All Canadians were devastated by the COVID-related deaths in long-term care facilities in Quebec and Ontario. Manitobans recently had a reminder of the risks of COVID in PCHs as cases were reported at certain facilities. Manitoba’s PCHs continue to have extensive precautions in place to protect vulnerable residents, including strict visitor restrictions, enhanced screening for staff and the implementation of a one-site staffing model at personal care homes, said Health, Seniors and Active Living Minister Cameron Friesen added. “While there was no choice but to close PCHs at the start of the pandemic, every effort is being made to maintain access between residents and loved ones,” said Friesen. “These all-season shelters will ensure these much-needed visits can continue uninterrupted, while keeping PCH residents and visitors safe.”

Please continue to visit our website for updates regarding this initiative.

Update to second employee COVID-19 positive case

November 19, 2020

There has been no further positive COVID-19 cases at Middlechurch Home of Winnipeg since November 4, 2020. Outbreak management measures continue to be in place. All Residents are being closely monitored for any signs and symptoms of COVID -19 and staff are being screened prior to each shift. If symptoms present, we will test residents for COVID-19. If your family member is tested at any time, you will be contacted directly.

At this time, no residents or other employees are exhibiting symptoms.

All visitations to the Middlechurch Home of Winnipeg remain on hold at this time out of an abundance of caution. Out of precaution, an outbreak at the Middlechurch Home of Winnipeg continues to be declared (RED ZONE) and complete outbreak measures are in place until further notice. We will continue to update families if there is any changes. We will re-open the facility to essential visitors as soon as possible. We expect this may be on December 3^rd, but will keep you informed.

Notice of second employee COVID-19 positive case

November 5, 2020

We became aware of an employee of the Middlechurch Home of Winnipeg who tested positive with the COVID-19 virus on November 4, 2020. The employee was not a direct care worker. Outbreak management measures continue to be in place. All Residents are being closely monitored for any signs and symptoms of COVID -19 and staff are being screened prior to each shift. If symptoms present, we will test residents for COVID-19. If your family member is tested at any time, you will be contacted directly. At this time, no residents or other employees are exhibiting symptoms.

All visitations to the Middlechurch Home of Winnipeg remain on hold at this time out of an abundance of caution. Out of precaution, an outbreak at the Middlechurch Home of Winnipeg has been declared (RED ZONE) and complete outbreak measures are in place until further notice. We will continue to update loved ones if there is any changes. We will re-open the facility to essential visitors as soon as possible. We expect this may be on November 19^th, but will keep you informed.

Connecting with your loved ones – Virtual and Window Visits

October 30, 2020

We at the Middlechurch Home of Winnipeg understand that maintaining contact with loved ones is an important aspect to a person’s holistic health. We are facilitating requests for window visits and FaceTime (Apple Platform) or Zoom (Android Platform) . Please send these requests to MCHgenresidentcomm@middlechurchhome.mb.ca . This email is being checked regularly by our recreation staff and someone will respond to you. Please be mindful that the window visits must abide by Provincial Health Guidelines ( the amount of people at the windows & social distancing ,etc).

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we work together with you and your loved ones during this time of pandemic.

Visitation Update

October 27, 2020

Across Manitoba, personal care homes and other long term care facilities have taken every possible step to decrease the risk of COVID-19 within our facilities. This has included strict infection and control precautions, enhanced cleaning protocols, visitor restrictions, daily screening of staff before shift and the introduction of personal protective equipment.

As cases of the COVID-19 Outbreak continue to increase in Manitoba, the Middlechurch Home of Winnipeg will remain closed to all visitors at least until November 6, 2020 and will be reassessed at this time. The Middlechurch Home of Winnipeg remains at RED (CRITICAL) status. This does NOT mean that there have been any additional outbreaks within the Middlechurch Home of Winnipeg that have not been shared publicly.

This elevated RED (CRITICAL) status for all personal care homes in the Winnipeg area took effect Thursday, October 15, 2020 and will remain in place until it is lifted by the Province’s Chief Provincial Public Health Officer.

We understand this change may be concerning to you and it is important that you understand it is being made to help protect your loved one from the risk this virus poses to them. We are committed to continuity of care and to minimizing the disruption and anxiety that it may cause for your loved one. It is our expectation that this decision will limit the risk of exposure to your family member. We will carefully monitor staffing levels, standards of care, ensure staff have appropriate personal protective equipment for the work they do, and continue to enforce the other restrictions already in place to minimize the risks of an outbreak.

We understand you will have questions and we are committed to provide information as it becomes available. We appreciate your understanding as we implement these elevated precautions to protect our residents, many of whom have underlying medical conditions that put them at greatest risk of becoming severely ill due to COVID-19.

Update to employee COVID-19 positive case

October 20, 2020

There has been no further positive COVID-19 cases at Middlechurch Home of Winnipeg since October 9th. Outbreak management measures continue to be in place. All Residents are being closely monitored for any signs and symptoms of COVID -19 and staff are being screened prior to each shift. If symptoms present, we will test residents for COVID-19. If your family member is tested at any time, you will be contacted directly. At this time, no residents or other employees are exhibiting symptoms.

All visitations to the Middlechurch Home of Winnipeg remain on hold at this time out of an abundance of caution. Out of precaution, an outbreak at the Middlechurch Home of Winnipeg has been declared (RED ZONE) and complete outbreak measures are in place until further notice. We will continue to update loved ones if there is any changes. We will re-open the facility to essential visitors as soon as possible. We expect this may be on October 28^th, but will keep you informed.

Notice of employee COVID-19 positive case

October 14, 2020

We became aware this afternoon of a health-care worker at the Middlechurch Home of Winnipeg, who tested positive for COVID-19. Their last day worked was October 9^th, 2020. Out of precaution, an outbreak at the Middlechurch Home of Winnipeg has been declared (RED ZONE) and complete outbreak measures are in place until further notice.

At this time, no residents or other employees are exhibiting symptoms. If symptoms present, we will test residents for COVID-19. If your family member is tested at any time, you will be contacted directly. We continue to actively screen employees to see if testing is required.

To stop the spread of the virus, the following measures have been implemented:

Residents are being restricted to their own units throughout the building. Employee movement between units continues to be minimized as much as possible.
Essential Visits have been suspended for 14 days in the entire building to allow for contact tracing and a risk assessment to be completed. We will re-open the facility to essential visitors as soon as possible. We expect this may be on October 28^th, but will keep you informed.
Indoor and outdoor visits have been suspended. Virtual or window visits may continue.
We have suspended admissions to the facility until further notice.
Active staff screening will continue at the start of each shift to determine if testing is required.
We continue with enhanced cleaning including high touch surfaces like common area handrails, door handles, light switches, table tops, employee conference rooms and washrooms.

We appreciate this is unsettling news for our residents and their loved ones. Please be assured that we have moved quickly to enact precautions that will prevent any further spread of illness. The health of our residents and employees is our top priority. If you have questions specific to your loved one’s health condition, please contact the nursing staff on the unit.

If you recently visited the facility and have questions or concerns about your own health, please contact: Health Links-Info Santé: 204-788-8200 | toll-free 1-888-315-9257.

New Visitation Protocols

September 28, 2020

Under Manitoba’s Pandemic Response System Level Orange (Restricted), public health officials require the use of non-medical masks in all indoor public places within any area that is included in the geographic area identified by the Pandemic Response System Level.

Effective September 28, masks will be mandatory in all indoor public places included in the Winnipeg Metropolitan Region.

Designated family caregiver(s) may continue to visit anytime and for any length of time seven days a week between the hours of 8:00am to 8:00pm. The rule of up to two (2) designated visitor(s) continues.

Effective October 1, 2020 , only one (1) designated visitor may visit at a time.

General visitors and indoor visits are suspended as of October 1, 2020.

Outdoor visits will continue to be booked by making an appointment.

All indoor family visitors must adhere to the following:

Screened at the entrance to the Home
Sign In and Out
Wear a mask at all times while in the Home
Sanitize hands prior to entering the Home and prior to leaving the Home
Go directly to the Resident’s room and remain there for the duration of the visit, no loitering in the hallways or mingling with other Residents, no walking about the unit, no approaching the nursing station.

When entering the Home and awaiting screening please practice physical distances.

If you are not symptom free you will be denied entrance.

Protecting the health and well-being of your loved ones and staff remains one of our top priorities. Regular assessment by public health officials of the impact and evaluation of the need for adjusted visitor restrictions will continue as developments evolve. In collaboration with Public Health, PCH Operators will determine the need to suspend all visits in the case of a confirmed/potential COVID-19 outbreak in the facility or local area or upon the direction of the Chief Provincial Public Health Officer.

Residents, Families & Loved Ones: SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS

The George & Fay Yee Centre for Healthcare Innovation would greatly appreciate your feedback on Single-Site Staffing for Personal Care Homes, which was implemented for all nursing and support staff in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

To participate in the evaluation and have your say, please complete the survey by visiting: www.chimb.ca/pch.

Middlechurch Home of Winnipeg

The Middlechurch Home of Winnipeg is a 197 bed Long Term Care Facility. It is located in the Northwest area of Winnipeg on the south side of Balderstone and on the west side of the Red River at 280 Balderstone Road In West St. Paul.

All the rooms and our entire facility is a smoke-free environment.

We believe that all residents of the Middlechurch Home of Winnipeg deserve respect, high quality care and service, open communication, privacy and much more. We believe that Middlechurch Home of Winnipeg is each Resident’s Home and will be a community of belonging and hope, built on caring and nurturing relationships.

The Middlechurch Home of Winnipeg is committed to coordinate and deliver safe and caring services that promote health and well-being.