Local nursing home now COVID-19-free

On Sunday, Sept. 13, Gosnell Health and Rehab announced it is now COVID-19-free.

To date, there have been 40 residents and 25 staff recoveries at the facility. The staff has worked diligently to implement proactive testing measures and followed social distancing guidelines to limit the spread of the virus. The facility also recently received a deficiency-free infection control survey.

Nursing homes and long-term care facilities across the state are adjusting to life amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Nationwide, nursing homes and assisted living facilities have become hot beds for the spread of COVID-19, but what one may not have seen is the people behind closed doors working tirelessly to care for residents.

“The staff at Gosnell Health and Rehab is an excellent example of the dedication and commitment we see from staff across the state providing quality care to our residents and our communities,” said Rachel Bunch, executive director of the Arkansas Health Care Association (AHCA). “From day one, they have been rallying together to implement and master CDC guidelines, and keep our residents safe.”

The staff implemented policies and procedures around isolation and droplet precautions from the beginning of the pandemic. This also included the proactive testing of all residents and staff members.

“We are continuing to do everything we can to take care of our residents during these unprecedented times,” said Lindsay Wicker, infection control nurse at Gosnell Health and Rehab. “I’ve seen our staff show selfless commitment to working our COVID-19 unit from day one. It is because of this dedication that we are officially announcing that our facility is COVID-19-free.”

Wicker said staff members even volunteered to work the COVID-19 unit. The entire time, the team’s biggest concern was making sure all the residents were well taken care of and in good spirits. “I loved working in our COVID-19 unit and making a difference. I knew they needed love and compassion, ” said Wicker.