Part of Lila Doyle switched to special isolation unit

A caller to 101.7/WGOG expressed concern this afternoon having heard that a wing of Seneca’s Lila Doyle facility is being changed to accommodate COVID-19 patients.  We immediately contacted Prisma Health and have received the following announcement: “In accordance with new federal regulations and out of an abundance of caution, Seneca-based Lila Doyle has retrofitted an area of its facility as a special isolation unit for any residents who may develop symptoms of COVID-19.
‘This is an important precaution that would allow us to meet the clinical needs of our patients while also ensuring that we keep all of our residents protected,’ said Cole Brown, administrator over post-acute operations for Prisma Health. ‘We know this is a difficult time for our entire region, but we are committed to ensuring that our residents continue to receive extraordinary care. We continue to adapt to the changes to ensure we provide the best care to our residents.’
Residents suspected of having COVID-19 would immediately be placed in isolation rooms within the specially outfitted unit. Each room has its own special air filtration; specially-trained team members would only care for residents in that single unit and follow rigorous protocols to ensure everyone’s safety. While most COVID-19 infections resolve without the need for advanced medical care, the virus can hit the elderly particularly hard. For that reason, this special cohort of staff will very closely monitor COVID-19-positive residents and immediately route them to hospital for more advanced care if needed. The unit will be ready for potential patients as soon as next week.
Lila Doyle, which is rated a CMS Five-Star Quality Facility, had already begun taking proactive steps that included visitor restriction, temperature checks on everyone entering the facility and universal masking for anyone that comes in contacts with its residents.
More recent changes include offering in-room therapy to ensure that individualized needs continue to be met, and residents dining inside their rooms to eliminate large-group situations.
To increase socialization opportunities for resident despite social-distancing mandates, the staff is helping residents write letters as well as use more social media. Seating areas near windows allow residents to ‘visit’ with family members seated outside the windows. Likewise, Lila Doyle is offering small-group games and cooking events.
‘Our team will continue to work closely with our residents to ensure they have the care and enrichment they deserve at this difficult time when they are physically isolated from their families,’ said Brown. “Without question, our team has been incredible, and we are fortunate to have them as part of our family. They love our residents as if they are part of their own family.’”