May 26, 2020

        To All Chautauqua Residents/Tenants, Families, and Staff;

We want to start by thanking all of you for your efforts in helping us follow recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control, the Iowa Department of Public Health, and other professional organizations regarding the COVID-19 pandemic emergency. Together, we can make a difference.  In our continued efforts to respond in a proactive and positive manner, Chautauqua Guest Homes, with the assistance of the Floyd County Public Health Department, have decided to offer COVID-19 testing to all of our residents and staff.  Testing provides an accurate picture of viral activity at our facilities on the day of testing and establishes a baseline that we can use to compare with future results.

While not required, the Chautauqua Guest Homes Management Team and Infection Preventionists, STRONGLY RECOMMEND THE TESTING OF Chautauqua Residents/Tenants, and Employees.  Any resident/tenant or responsible party who wishes to refuse testing is asked to contact the Director of Nursing or Administrator by 4 PM on 5/27/20. 

Long term care residents are at high risk for infection, serious illness, and death from COVID-19. Testing for the virus that causes COVID-19, in respiratory specimens can detect current infection among residents and healthcare personnel in nursing homes. Long term care employees are also at risk for infection related to occupational exposure.  Testing in nursing facilities can be an important addition to other infection prevention and control recommendations aimed at:

Keeping COVID-19 out

Detecting cases quickly

Stopping transmission

There are 2 types of testing available.  The swab testing is for those individuals who meet CDC criteria for testing or who currently have symptoms.  All residents/tenants will be eligible for a swab test.  Antibody testing is designed for individuals who think they might have had COVID-19 and are not currently experiencing symptoms.  All Chautauqua employees may have a swab test, an antibody test, or both.  Resident testing will be conducted on May 28 and 29.  Residents/Tenants will be tested at their facilities.  Employees will be tested on May 29. 

While reopening in the State of Iowa has started, please be patient throughout the Chautauqua process.  We don’t expect that our facilities will be reopening until the last of three phases described in nation-wide process and only if certain data metrics are met.  As our residents/tenants are the most vulnerable population, this makes sense.  Please realize that as soon as we receive notice from our regulatory agencies that we may again open our doors, you will all be immediately notified.  Our overall goal to keep our residents/tenants as safe as possible has not changed. 

We appreciate your understanding, patience, and support during this difficult time for everyone!

Chautauqua Guest Home Management

Mary Shupe, Administrator              Misty Hobert, RN, BSN, Administrator

Sandy Staudt, RN, Infection Preventionist                                              Susan Ayers, RN, BSN, Infection Preventionist