Brendan House Communication Updates

Weekly COVID-19 Case Status Update

On January 26, 2022, one staff member tested positive for COVID-19 through our surveillance testing. The staff member will remain out of the facility at this time and will need to be cleared by Employee Health Services and the Health Department before returning to work. 

On January 26, 2022, there are currently six Brendan House residents with active COVID-19. They are stable at this time and will continue to have their care managed in the facility. Glacier POD will now be a quarantine/isolation unit. Follow-up testing and discharge planning is in progress; we will continue facility-wide resident surveillance testing.

For all occurrences, contact tracing is completed and those determined to be exposed will have further follow-up. Follow-up testing will be done per the recommendations of the Health Department. Brendan House is still currently in outbreak status, with the possibility of extending this status to a future date per the Health Department's guidance. 

Please continue with infection prevention practices: hand hygiene, proper PPE use and monitoring for symptoms. Resident visitation and outings may continue with an increased awareness of potential exposure based on this recent positive case and our facility's current outbreak status.

Residents may leave the facility for outings, please observe the following guidance. Indoor visits are still allowed per the updated visitation policy. Virtual visits can also be scheduled by calling (406) 751-6517. 

• Continue hand hygiene, social distancing, and appropriate PPE with patient care delivery. 
• Residents should be encouraged to remain in their rooms and wear masks when they are out of their rooms.
• Communal dining and activities will continue with heightened awareness of infection prevention protocols.

Safeguarding Our Residents

Within our facility, we will continue to:

• Encourage use of telehealth visits for residents.
• Practice safe reprocessing of all reusable resident medical equipment. 
• Observe visitor restrictions at facility. 
• Screen and mask all employees and essential visitors daily before entrance to facility.
• Screen residents for symptoms consistent with COVID-19.
• Use appropriate PPE to protect all employees and essential visitors.
• Practice safe donning and doffing of PPE by all employees and essential visitors.
• Social distance within the facility: Cancel large facility gatherings, common room dinners and activities, and community events.
• Ensure thorough and frequent cleaning and disinfection within the facility.
• Practice proper hand hygiene: Washing hands thoroughly and often for at least 20 seconds.
• Provide education and guidance to both employees and residents on infection prevention protocols and procedures. 

Communication Updates

SEPTEMBER 6, 2020 - Brendan House employee testing update, letter to residents and families
JUNE 26, 2020 - Letter to Brendan House Residents and Families
MAY 8, 2020 - Canvas Church delivers 200 succulents to Brendan House residents for Mother's Day
APRIL 23, 2020 - Daybreak Rotary Club of Kalispell donates iPads to Brendan House residents
APRIL 22, 2020 - KRH introduces Connection Point, a safe visitation place for Brendan House
APRIL 7, 2020 - KRH expands telehealth services, offers virtual clinic appointments
MARCH 15, 2020 - KRH expands efforts to protect health of the community
MARCH 13, 2020 - Brendan House to implement visitor restrictions