Can Nursing Homes Social Distance If The Power Goes Off During A Hurricane?

Many longterm care facilities have temporary generators, which may require moving residents into a single large space


All of Florida’s 693 nursing homes and all but one of its 3,112 assisted-living facilities have generators to keep residents cool during a prolonged power outage caused by a hurricane, according to an article on the Tampa Bay Times website. 

But some facilities use less-powerful temporary generators, which may require moving residents into a single large space — increasing their risk of transmitting COVID-19.

So, while facilities meet the state’s minimum standard, these less-powerful generators may not  keep residents safe.

“During this pandemic, it’s dangerous to residents that you have people that are congregating in one large space in close quarters,” Brian Lee, national executive director of Families for Better Care, said in the article.

A busy storm season is a worry for many healthcare facilities still dealing with the pandemic, according to an article on the NOLA.com website. Some hospitals are stocking up on personal protective equipment and other supplies. Others are changing how they’ll manage non-essential staff and patients’ families. 

Read the full Tampa Bay Times article.

 

 

 



October 28, 2020


Topic Area: Safety


Recent Posts

Healthy Buildings, Healthy Futures: IWBI and Georgetown Convene Policy Leaders in D.C.

The second annual Healthy Building Policy Summit unites stakeholders to advance policies that make every building a catalyst for well-being, resilience and thriving communities.


California Bill Could Shift Workers' Comp Burden for Hospitals

SB 632 would presume more than half of hospital injury claims are job-related, raising cost, staffing and liability concerns for facilities leaders.


Sturdy Health Announces Emergency Department Expansion and Modernization

The first floor emergency department will be 38,000 square feet.


Sabine County Hospital Falls Victim to Data Breach

There is no evidence suggesting that any of this information was accessed or misused.


Rethinking Sinks with Infection Control in Mind

Innovations in infection prevention and control can kill microbes and prevent the growth of harmful biofilms.


 
 


FREE Newsletter Signup Form

News & Updates | Webcast Alerts
Building Technologies | & More!

 
 
 


All fields are required. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.