Category Archives: Health Care

Seven New Cases of COVID 19 Yesterday Total

Bourbon County Health Officer Rebecca Johnson said there are five more positive COVID-19 cases.
Some are contacts of previous cases & some are not.
The Bourbon County Public Health Department is diligently working to complete the investigations.
Please stay home when sick, social distance, practice good hygiene & wear a mask in public.
There were seven total yesterday.

Local Health Officer Comments on Governor’s Recommendations For Masks

“After reviewing the Governor’s order 20-52, it is the strong recommendation by the Health Officer of Allen, Anderson, Bourbon & Woodson Counties, that the order is followed,” Bourbon County Health Officer Rebecca Johnson said. “Please take the time to read it fully before making assumptions.”

Governor Laura Kelly Signs Executive Order Mandating Masks in Public Spaces

Governor Laura Kelly today issued Executive Order #20-52 requiring that most Kansans must wear a mask while in public spaces, and in places where individuals are unable to maintain social distancing of six feet.

Executive Order #20-52 takes effect beginning 12:01 a.m. Friday, July 3, and will remain in place until rescinded or until the current statewide State of Disaster Emergency expires – whichever is earlier.

“The last few months have presented many new challenges for Kansans, and all of us want to return to our normal lives and routines,” Governor Kelly said. “Unfortunately, we have seen a spike in the number of COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths across our state and our country. We must act.”

Viruses don’t stop at county lines. This order doesn’t change where you can go or what you can do. But wearing a mask is a simple and effective way to keep Kansans healthy and keep Kansas open for business.”

Under the order, Kansans are required to wear masks when inside any public space – including their workplace – or in situations where social distancing of 6 feet cannot be maintained. Guidance regarding specific places or situations in which masks are required is outlined within the order.

Kansans under five years of age, those with medical conditions, and others specifically outlined in the order are exempt from these requirements.

To view EO #20-52, click here.

Presbyterian Village Earns Zero-Deficiency Rating

Fort Scott Presbyterian Village earns zero-deficiency rating
for assisted living focused infection control survey

FORT SCOTT, Kan. — Fort Scott Presbyterian Village earned a zero-deficiency survey for a focused infection control survey conducted by the Kansas Department of Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) in June.

Senior living communities are surveyed annually by their licensing agency for compliance of regulations established by KDADS. These regulations are designed to ensure a standard of care is met. By meeting this standard, senior living communities are able to renew their licenses and continue to provide care.

The Kansas Legislature and Gov. Laura Kelly directed KDADS to complete focused infection control surveys for all adult care homes in Kansas by September 30, 2020. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) directed states to perform focused infection control surveys in all skilled nursing facilities by July 31, 2020.

Every day I see our mission to provide quality senior services guided by Christian values unfold as our employees go above and beyond in the care they provide,” said Ginger Nance, executive director. “At this time, we have had no residents or employees test positive for COVID-19. Our employee screening processes and infection control practices are working to keep COVID-19 out of our campus.”

The focused infection control surveys hone in on an adult care home’s adherence Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidance for infection control practices to prevent disease at the community. Communities are assessed on staff and resident education on hand hygiene and coughing/sneezing etiquette, cleaning, screening of employees and residents, effective transmission-based precautions, proper use/discarding of personal protective equipment and signage at entrances and resident rooms. It also examines the facility’s policies and emergency preparedness related to a pandemic or outbreak.

This recognition is tangible proof of our commitment to providing quality senior care and services based on Christian values. This survey recognizes the hard work this team has put in throughout the COVID-19 crisis,” Nance said. “We will continue to be vigilant as we work with the Bourbon County Health Department on our reopening plan.”

Fort Scott Presbyterian Village is an assisted living community, which means it is licensed by KDADS. Residents have their own private apartments, one or two bedrooms complete with all appliances, and may receive some assistance with activities of daily living.

Although the restrictions on visitors has been difficult, we have been offering many ways for residents and their family members and friends to stay connected,” Nance said, citing drive-through parades, outdoor fishing and walking paths, and exercise classes offered throughout the pandemic.

For more information about Fort Scott Presbyterian Village, contact Becky Kellum, marketing director, at 620-223-5550 or [email protected].

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Fort Scott Presbyterian Village, a Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America community, has been offering independent and assisted living apartments for seniors from southeast Kansas and southwest Missouri since 1994. Learn more at FortScottPresbyterianVillage.org. Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization with 16 locations and 2 hospices in Kansas and Missouri. Learn more at PMMA.org.

Nursing Homes Surveys and Inspections Expediated

KDADS Contracts with Healthcare Management Solutions to Expedite Meeting Federal and State Survey and Inspection Requirements

TOPEKA –  Secretary Laura Howard announced today the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) has entered into a contract with Healthcare Management Solutions (HMS) that will help the agency expedite completion of focused infection control surveys (FICS) in federally certified nursing facilities as required by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and inspection of all adult care homes in the state as mandated in Kansas House Bill 2016.

On March 4, 2020, CMS called for states to conduct focused surveys in Medicare/Medicaid certified facilities on infection control related to the COVID-19 pandemic. CMS document QSO-20-31-All, released June 1, 2020, requires states to complete 100 percent of FICS by July 31, 2020, to maintain full FY 2021 Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act allocations.

Since the March 4 directive was received from CMS, 57 full-time KDADS surveyors have completed surveys in 169 of the state’s 332 certified, licensed facilities. KDADS has secured a contract with HMS to ensure Kansas facilities receive onsite targeted FICS in the required timeframe while existing and ongoing abuse, neglect and exploitation complaint investigations, required follow-up inspections and responses to identified positive cases of COVID-19 are also conducted.

“We believe partnering with HMS will allow us to better manage the critically important workload our surveyors have been tackling since March,” Secretary Howard said. “They have a good reputation for helping state survey agencies ensure facilities are in compliance and we’re certain they can assist us as we continue working to ensure nursing facility residents receive safe, quality care.”

States that complete 100 percent of their nursing home FICS by the July 31 target date will be able to request their entire FY 2020-FY2023 CARES Act funding allocation (at their discretion) and can also apply for redistributed funding from states that fail to meet CMS performance goals.

In addition to completing the FICS of nursing homes, CMS is also requiring states to implement the following COVID-19 survey activities:

  1. Perform onsite surveys (within 30 days of this memo) of nursing homes with previous COVID-19 outbreaks, defined as:
    • Cumulative confirmed cases/bed capacity at 10% or greater; or
    • Cumulative confirmed plus suspected cases/bed capacity at 20% or greater; or
    • Ten or more deaths reported due to COVID-19.

 

  1. Perform onsite surveys (within three to five days of identification) of any nursing home with 3 or more new COVID-19 suspected and confirmed cases in the since the last National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) COVID-19 report, or 1 confirmed resident case in a facility that was previously COVID-free. State Survey Agencies are encouraged to communicate with their State Healthcare Associated Infection coordinators prior to initiating these surveys.

 

  1. Starting in FY 2021, perform annual Focused Infection Control surveys of 20 percent of nursing homes based on State discretion or additional data that identifies facility and community risks.

 

Under HB 2016, passed during the 2020 Special Legislative Session, KDADS is also required to conduct infection control inspections at all adult care homes licensed by Kansas including those that are state licensed only. State licensed only facilities rely solely on state funding and oversight without federal dollars, to include assisted living facilities, Home Plus, Adult Day Care and Residential Health Care facilities. To be in compliance with the legislative mandate, inspections of these facilities are to be completed within 90 days of the effective date of HB 2016, or about September 30. Again, having HMS surveyors available will also help KDADS balance the demands between state licensed only facilities and federally certified nursing facility survey staff.

HMS employs federally certified nursing facility surveyors and has collaborated through contracts with KDADS and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment to provide services in Kansas previously.

For more information on COVID-19, please visit the KDHE website at www.kdhe.ks.gov/coronavirus.

New COVID 19 Cases in Bourbon County

Both Bourbon and Woodson Counties have seen new cases today. Here is an update for today.

 

SEK Multi-County Health Departments

Bourbon and Woodson Counties

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update

June 30, 2020

Bourbon County

Current Positive Cases 17
Presumptive Cases 1-listed on KDHE website, tested negative
Current Recovered Cases 11-includes presumptive case
Total Positives Since Testing 28
Deaths 1

Woodson County

Current Positive Cases 4
Current Recovered Cases 6
Total Positives Since Testing 10
Deaths 0

Recovered cases are based on dates of onset of symptoms, not on day testing results are received.

Bourbon County Has 21 COVID-19 Cases as of June 29

SEK Multi-County Health Departments

Allen, Anderson, Bourbon, and Woodson Counties

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update

June 29, 2020

Allen County

Current Positive Cases 3
Current Recovered Cases 1
Total Positives Since Testing 4-1 removed-out of state and to remain there
Deaths 0

Anderson County

Current Positive Cases 0
Current Recovered Cases 3
Total Positives Since Testing 3
Deaths 0

Bourbon County

Current Positive Cases 12
Presumptive Cases 1-listed on KDHE website, tested negative
Current Recovered Cases 10-includes presumptive case
Total Positives Since Testing 21
Deaths 1

Woodson County

Current Positive Cases 2
Current Recovered Cases 6
Total Positives Since Testing 8
Deaths 0

Recovered cases are based on dates of onset of symptoms, not on day testing results are received.

Mobile Testing Unit To Assist Underserved Communities

Governor Laura Kelly Deploys Mobile Testing Unit to Assist Communities

with COVID-19 Testing for Underserved Populations

 

TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly today announced The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) deployed a Mobile Testing Unit to assist communities with COVID-19 testing for underserved populations.

 

“In order to combat the spread of COVID-19 and safely reopen Kansas, our public health experts must be able to track the scale and scope of this virus,” Governor Kelly said. “Working with local communities and public health officials, this mobile unit helps us reach the vulnerable populations that are experiencing barriers to testing access.”

 

KDHE is working with local health departments and other health organizations to identify locations throughout Kansas which would benefit from this service. The Mobile Testing Unit is a van outfitted with COVID-19 laboratory-sampling equipment that can travel to locations and areas as requested. Currently, the Mobile Testing Unit is tentatively scheduled through mid-July. It will make its first appearance in conjunction with an Advent Health/Mercy and Truth Medical Missions event in Wyandotte County on June 27. For information regarding that event or future events, please reach out to the organizing entity.

 

“We recognize there are disparities with COVID-19 testing,” said Dr. Lee Norman, KDHE Secretary. “Part of our testing strategy in Kansas is to alleviate the barriers to getting tested.”

 

The lab testing is provided at no cost to any individual seeking testing. There is also no cost to the community. The test being performed is a diagnostic test, meaning it will say if the individual currently has COVID-19. The Mobile Testing Unit will collect the samples while at each site and then send them to the Kansas Health and Environmental Laboratories for processing. Results will be available to individuals in approximately 1-2 days through the partnering local health department or health organization.

 

If you are interested in having the Mobile Testing Unit in your community, KDHE encourages people to coordinate with their local health departments or also reach out to our [email protected].

 

Photos below:

 

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Updated: If You Were Served at Common Ground Coffee Company

SEK Multi-County Health Departments

Bourbon County, Kansas

PRESS RELEASE:

NOVEL CORONAVIRUS/COVID-19

June 25, 2020;

It is the recommendation of the Bourbon County Health Officer, that if you were served at Common Ground Coffee Company (12 E. Wall, Fort Scott, KS) on the dates of June 15th (between 7:00am-3:00pm) June 16th (between 7:00am-9:30pm), June 17th (between 6:30am-3:00pm), June 18th (between 7:00am-3:00pm), and June 19th (between 5:00-9:00pm), to please quarantine yourself in your home and monitor for symptoms of COVID-19.

Johnson asked that this update be added:

“It is recommended that if you were served on any of these dates listed you quarantine for 14 days since your exposure date (date you were last served-from dates listed).”

Symptoms are:

  • Fever or chills
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle or body aches
  • Headache
  • New loss of taste or smell
  • Sore throat
  • Congestion or runny nose
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Diarrhea

Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. This list does not include all possible symptoms.

For more information you may call the SEK Multi-County Health Department: Bourbon: (620)223-4464 Monday-Thursday 7:00am-5:30pm OR the COVID-19 Hotline: (866)534-3463.You may also visit the COVID-19 Resource Center at: https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/OR Southeast Kansas Multi-County Health Departments on Facebook or our website: www.sekmchd.com for local updates.

Sahara Desert Dust Alert

KDHE shares steps to protect health amid potential

air quality impacts from Sahara Dust

 

TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) wants to alert Kansans to a potential air quality impact from Saharan dust.  The Saharan dust comes from the Sahara Desert in Africa, where storms can lift the dust into the atmosphere. Dust is picked up by trade winds and carried thousands of miles across the Atlantic and eventually to the U.S.  The particulate matter from this event has the potential to impact Kansas.

 

Editors note, here is a National Public Radio story on the dust:

https://www.npr.org/2020/06/25/883555736/saharan-dust-cloud-arrives-at-the-u-s-gulf-coast-bringing-the-haze

 

Particulate matter can cause health problems, even in healthy individuals.  Common health problems include burning eyes, runny nose, coughing and illnesses such as bronchitis.  Individuals with respiratory issues, pre-existing heart or lung diseases, children and elderly may experience worse symptoms.

Steps to protect your health on days when particulate matter is present in your community include:

  • Healthy people should limit or avoid strenuous outdoor exercise.
  • People with respiratory or heart related illness should remain indoors.
  • Help keep indoor air clean by closing doors and windows and running the air conditioners with air filters.
  • Keep hydrated by drinking lots of water.
  • Contact your doctor if you have symptoms such as chest pain, chest tightness, shortness of breath or severe fatigue.

Recommendations For Those Served at Common Ground Coffee Company, Updated

SEK Multi-County Health Departments

Bourbon County, Kansas

PRESS RELEASE:

NOVEL CORONAVIRUS/COVID-19

June 25, 2020;

It is the recommendation of the Bourbon County Health Officer, that if you were served at Common Ground Coffee Company (12 E. Wall, Fort Scott, KS) on the dates of June 15th (between 7:00am-3:00pm) June 16th (between 7:00am-9:30pm), June 17th (between 6:30am-3:00pm), June 18th (between 7:00am-3:00pm), and June 19th (between 5:00-9:00pm), to please quarantine yourself in your home and monitor for symptoms of COVID-19.

Johnson asked that this correction be added:

“It is recommended that if you were served on any of these dates listed you quarantine for 14 days since your exposure date (date you were last served-from dates listed).”

Symptoms are:

  • Fever or chills
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle or body aches
  • Headache
  • New loss of taste or smell
  • Sore throat
  • Congestion or runny nose
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Diarrhea

Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. This list does not include all possible symptoms.

For more information you may call the SEK Multi-County Health Department: Bourbon: (620)223-4464 Monday-Thursday 7:00am-5:30pm OR the COVID-19 Hotline: (866)534-3463.You may also visit the COVID-19 Resource Center at: https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/OR Southeast Kansas Multi-County Health Departments on Facebook or our website: www.sekmchd.com for local updates.

Health Care and Child Care Support During Pandemic

Kelly Administration Announces Enhancements to Hero Relief Program

Revenue replacement and health care/emergency support worker bonuses provide additional support to child care providers

 

TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly, Kansas Department for Children and Families Secretary Laura Howard and Child Care Aware of Kansas today announced additional benefits within the Hero Relief Program to continue to support child care providers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

“The COVID-19 pandemic brought forth unexpected challenges for many Kansas families and businesses, and our child care providers were among the hardest hit,” Governor Kelly said. “These resources will help offset lost income, and will make sure our families have access to high-quality child care programs as we get Kansans back to work and back to school.”

 

Providers will now be eligible for Revenue Replacement and Health Care and Emergency Worker Support bonuses. The funding for these opportunities is provided by the Kansas Department for Children and Families through the federal CARES Act and is administered by Child Care Aware of Kansas.

 

“We know the pandemic continues to have significant impact on the child care community,” Howard said. “These new benefits will provide additional supports to providers who are working hard to keep their businesses viable.”

 

The revenue replacement grant opportunity is designed to provide financial assistance to DCF-enrolled child care providers and relative providers who have lost child care subsidy income due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

All DCF-enrolled providers will be eligible to receive this payment if they experience a measured decrease in subsidy payments, including school age programs and Head Start programs. Child care providers who are open or who have closed temporarily are eligible. Relative providers, enrolled as DCF providers, who have remained open are eligible.

 

The Health Care and Emergency Worker Support bonus is a one-time bonus to provide recognition to the child care provider and elevate the importance of ensuring that child care options are available to the health care and emergency workforce in Kansas.  Due to the increased risk of exposure to COVID-19 by caring for children of workers (parents/legal guardians) on the frontlines, a bonus acknowledges the additional protective measures needed to ensure a child care provider can meet the demand of a healthy and safe environment.

 

  • Healthcare workers are defined for this program as hospital and nursing home employees.

 

  • Emergency workers are defined for this program as fire, law enforcement, and corrections officers.

 

The following child care programs are eligible for the Health Care and Emergency Worker Support Bonus:

 

  • Child care centers, school age programs and day care home (to include Group Day Care Home) programs must be licensed by and in good standing with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE).

 

  • Child care centers, school age programs and day care home (to include Group Day Care Home) programs must hold a current Kansas Child Care Center License or a Kansas School Age Program License or a Kansas Day Care Home License or a Kansas Group Day Care Home License.

 

  • Child care centers, school age programs and day care home (to include Group Day Care Home) programs must be currently open to provide care at least full-time (30 hours or more per week).

 

  • Child care centers, school age programs and day care home (to include Group Day Care Home) programs who care for children with a parent/legal guardian working as a health care or emergency worker for organizations such as hospitals, nursing homes, fire and rescue, law enforcement, or correctional staff which have operated during the COVID-19 outbreak.  Child(ren) identified must be or have been attending the program from the date of application to August 1, 2020.

 

For more information and for instructions on how to apply, visit KSHeroRelief.com or ks.childcareaware.org

 

When You Get COVID 19: Bourbon County Health Department

SEK Multi-County Health Departments

Allen, Anderson, Bourbon, and Woodson Counties

WHEN SHOULD I STAY HOME?

  • After you have been tested for COVID-19, until told otherwise by the County Health Department
  • If you have been in close contact with a confirmed positive COVID-19 case, until told otherwise by the County Health Department
  • If you are feeling sick
  • If your Doctor or the County Health Department has instructed you to do so

WHEN SHOULD I GO BACK OUT IN PUBLIC AFTER ISOLATION OR QUARANTINE?

  • When you have been instructed to do so by your County Health Department

HOW LONG COULD MY ISOLATION OR QUARANTINE LAST?

  • If you are in isolation because you were tested POSITIVE for COVID-19, your isolation time is a minimum of 10 days after onset of symptoms or testing date (if onset unclear or asymptomatic). You can be released from isolation after fever free and asymptomatic for at least 72 hours. Release from isolation is up to the County Health Department.
  • If you are a household contact of a positive COVID-19 case, you must quarantine for a minimum of 24 days. Release from quarantine is up to the County Health Department.
  • If you are a non-household contact of a positive COVID-19 case, you must quarantine for 14 days from the date of last contact with the positive case. Release from quarantine is up to the County Health Department.

You may contact your County Health Department by calling:

Allen County: (620)365-2191

Anderson County: (785)448-6559

Bourbon County: (620)223-4464

Woodson County: (620)625-2484