North Central Health Care Continues Visitation Restrictions at Nursing Homes, Community Group Homes and Inpatient Behavioral Health Hospital

Press Release

For Immediate Release: May 14, 2020

In response to the ruling on May 13, 2020 by the State of Wisconsin Supreme Court on the Safer at Home order, North Central Health Care (NCHC) would like to provide continued communication to the public as well as families and visitors of our facilities. Under continued guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and local health officials, NCHC will continue to enforce the no-visitation policy currently in place at all NCHC nursing homes, community living group homes and the inpatient behavioral health hospital to protect the health and safety of those we serve and our employees.

Because of the ease of spread in a long-term care and congregate living settings and the severity of illness that occurs in residents with COVID-19, nursing homes and congregate living homes are still advised to restrict all visitation to their facilities except for certain compassionate care reasons, such as end-of-life situations.

“People who live in nursing homes and our community living group homes are among our most vulnerable when it comes to COVID-19 infections. North Central Health Care will continue to restrict visitation to our nursing homes, community living group homes and inpatient behavioral health hospital at this time,” states Michael Loy, CEO of North Central Health Care. “NCHC has continually informed residents, family members, and local & state health departments about the status of our operations and the measures we are taking to keep our residents and staff safe. We want to express our appreciation to the families and friends of our residents and patients, who have been so supportive during this uncertain time. We know how difficult this is for everyone and we want to thank everyone for their continued support and adherence to the visitation restrictions.”

To prevent spread of illness NCHC will continue to practice these healthcare precautions as advised by local health officials and the CDC:

  • Restricting all visitation including hospice visitation. Management has been working with families individually on a case-by-case basis for special circumstances.
  • Personal protective face masks will be worn at all times by employees within all NCHC facilities.
  • All nursing home residents will wear a mask or cloth face covering any time they exit their rooms.
  • Residents’ vital signs will be monitored multiple times per day.
  • Frequent cleaning of high-touch surfaces.
  • All staff are required to complete Covid-19 screening upon arrival to work. Temperature monitoring for staff working in Restricted Zones takes place every 4 hours.
  • Continued emergency zone implementation throughout the Wausau Campus to limit exposure to residents and patients in 24/7 care areas.

North Central Health Care continually monitors the latest information provided by the CDC, state and local public health officials to ensure that policies and procedures reflect the latest recommendations.

North Central Health Care provides compassionate, high-quality care for individuals and families with mental health, recovery and skilled nursing needs in Marathon, Langlade and Lincoln counties. Services are provided for mental health, substance abuse, crisis, developmental disabilities, adult protection, aquatic physical therapy and skilled nursing care. North Central Health Care operates two skilled nursing facilities, Mount View Care Center in Wausau and Pine Crest Nursing Home in Merrill.

Find North Central Health Care online: News | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | www.norcen.org

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Media contact:
North Central Health Care
Jessica Meadows, Public Information Officer
Marketing & Communications Director
1100 Lake View Drive • Wausau, WI 54403
715.370.1547 jmeadows@norcen.org www.norcen.org