Watch this video for an update
April 6, 2020 – Updates will be posted to this page
In our 134+ years, Tabitha has seen its share of challenges. We know the only way through this historic and unprecedented time is to be as prepared as possible and for communities to join together. Tabitha is fiercely focused on the safety and health of the Seniors we support and care about, their families, TEAMembers, Volunteers and fellow citizens.
We are closely monitoring the evolving situation to guard against the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and are finding creative ways to keep Tabitha Residents/Clients engaged and comfortable while working with their families and friends to stay connected.
Tabitha has been concentrating on preventative measures for weeks and elected to take action early on. We enacted stringent precautions, well before they were officially mandated by government agencies and industry experts. Proactive steps which remain in place include:
- No Resident Visitors allowed
- Vitals are taken of each Resident daily (or more often as needed/care plan requires)
- Meals served in Resident rooms
- Cloth masks provided to each Resident
- Clinical staff wears necessary PPE which includes masks and safety glasses when with 6-foot distance of Residents/Clients
- Administrative staff required to wear cloth masks (but may remove when in office with closed door, alone)
- Screening (including the recording of body temperature) prior to start of work is mandatory, failure to do so will result in disciplinary action
- Practice social distancing rule of at least 6 feet—only 2 on elevators at a time
- Do not congregate in groups of 10 or more
- Remote conference meetings only, via phone or video
- Remember your hands cannot be clean enough—practice good hand hygiene
- Wipe Down Wednesdays—in addition to constantly wiping down, dedicate this day to deep clean area
- Only essential clinical and approved administrative and Connectors, Volunteer staff on clinical floors/houses
- Continue to follow Tabitha’s Employee Illness Protocol policy
- Vendors have designated drop sites or at TNRC enter South/Main Entrance for deliveries—they are not to travel throughout the building
- Collaborating with national, state and local health departments and organizations to stay abreast of best practices and updates
- Request all employees to put these preventative measures in place not only at work but at home and when in public
By following all instructions properly, we have the potential to slow down the infection rate and ultimately save lives.
Tabitha has an Incident Command System (ICS) in place as well as an interdisciplinary team, made up of leaders from across all functions of the organization. All are staying abreast of the latest information. Our key sources of information are Lincoln/Lancaster Department of Health (along with related county health departments tied to the 28 counties we serve), Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (NDHHS) and ultimately taking guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This team determines appropriate actions as needs evolve.
There is a real concern about spreading the virus to vulnerable individuals, such as the Seniors entrusted to Tabitha’s care, and we do not take this responsibility lightly, not to mention the pressure it is placing on our entire health care system.
I cannot stress enough, even if you believe you’re not infected, we need you to act as if you are and take appropriate actions. If we all follow instructions, we have the potential to slow down the infection rate and ultimately save lives.
Nebraskans should feel empowered. While our daily activities are temporarily disrupted, we are in a unique position to demonstrate how the calm, collective collaboration of leaders from city, county, state along with Residents can ultimately impact how our nation responds to and survives this pandemic outbreak.
Inspire(d),
Christie Hinrichs
Tabitha President & CEO
