Life Care Centers runs site linked to Washington coronavirus deaths, operates nationwide
Editor’s note: Story updated March 5.
The Kirkland long-term care facility now at the center of the COVID-19 outbreak in Washington state is part of a chain of care facilities with locations nationwide, including in Pierce County.
Life Care Centers of America operates more 200 facilities in 28 states, according to the company website, including 15 in Washington. Two are in Puyallup, one in Port Orchard, three in Federal Way and one in Gig Harbor, according to its website.
In a statement posted on the Gig Harbor Cottesmore of Life Care site, Todd Fletcher, vice president of Western Operations, said: “Life Care Centers of America has been in consistent communication with leadership at its 207 other facilities to share updates and best practices that are being learned and implemented as necessary. COVID-19 facts have also been communicated with associates across the nation to encourage the dissemination of accurate information.”
“Universal precautions” amid coronavirus outbreak
An employee at the Life Care Center of Puyallup on Tuesday told The News Tribune that it was “business as normal” at its site and that they were taking the usual “universal precautions.” He then referred further questions to his center’s media hotline.
UPDATE March 5: Life Care has not responded to questions from The News Tribune as to whether any Kirkland staffers have been at any other of its facilities since the outbreak.
In a statement Tuesday afternoon, Life Care Center of Kirkland noted: “Current residents and associates continue to be monitored closely, specifically for an elevated temperature, cough and/or shortness of breath. Any resident displaying these symptoms is placed in isolation.
“Associates are screened prior to beginning work and upon leaving. We are also following infection control recommendations, including proper hand-washing techniques and wearing masks, gowns and gloves when caring for any symptomatic patients. All of these decisions have been made based on recommendations from the state health department and the CDC.
“In addition to the above infection control strategies, all visits to the facility from families, volunteers or vendors are not allowed.”
On Wednesday, the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department told The News Tribune: “Our healthcare liaison public health nurses have been working with health care providers — including long-term care facilities — to provide them with up-to-date resources and guidance. As part of our regular work, we maintain contact with staff at this and other facilities so we can provide them with the latest information in a timely manner.”
The Seattle Times reported Tuesday that the Kirkland site was neither an exception nor outlier when it came to past health violations.
According to the Times: “Health inspectors cited the facility last April for failures to prevent infections, the only such finding in recent years, the federal data shows. CMS rates the facility three out of five stars for health inspections, and five stars overall.”
Steve Metcalf, communications specialist with the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department, said as of Tuesday afternoon, there was no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Pierce County.
Flu common at assisted living facilities
Assisted living sites and long-term care facilities, though, typically can fall victim to another illness: the flu.
As of mid-February, Metcalf noted, the flu season was still very active, with the county showing “elevated” levels for the week ending Feb. 15, the most recent data.
“It’s still not too late to get a flu shot,” he noted.
While it’s not something that can prevent the coronavirus, “it can still protect yourself and those around you from getting sick with the flu,” Metcalf said.
For more information, go to https://www.tpchd.org/healthy-people/human-coronavirus
This story was originally published March 3, 2020 at 4:05 PM.
