Over the past 48 hours, local media has published stories about an incident where an individual residing in our Skilled Nursing Facility in Greensburg recently tested positive for Legionella while out at the hospital. We would like to take this opportunity to provide further information so that our residents, patients, employees, families, and the community-at-large will have a fuller understanding of what has happened here at Redstone. Today, we received testing results from the Department of Health approved water testing facility, and we are happy to report that those results were NEGATIVE for Legionella in Redstone’s water supply.
Despite the fact that there was only one positive patient lab test showing Legionella, Redstone followed the most diligent CDC Guidelines to ensure the safety of our community. These steps included immediately notifying the Department of Health and the Department of Human Services of this case and cooperating fully with the local health department, thoroughly testing water systems, providing bottled water for the Redstone Greensburg community, and providing bedside bathing rather than showering for residents in skilled nursing and personal care since Legionella is spread through water droplets.
Redstone’s employee team at all levels supported the extra efforts required to enact this water emergency plan. We are grateful for the commitment to resident safety and care that is exhibited in our communities each and every day, and especially during challenging situations such as this one.
Vicki Loucks, RN/MSN and Redstone’s Chief Operating Officer, states, “As part of Redstone’s water management plan, we routinely test for Legionella. Our last test was negative for any Legionella in December of 2018. We have reviewed all cases of pneumonia in our residents over the past twelve months and we have not identified any other indications of Legionella. Out of abundant caution, we are still going to treat the water in our Skilled Nursing Home, in order to eradicate any potential threat of the bacteria, despite the negative test results. We will continue to provide regular and thorough testing of our water, as we have done in the past.”
John R. Dickson, Redstone’s CEO, noted that “Except for the water safety measures put into place, services at Redstone were uninterrupted during this time. I’m so proud of the way that our employees responded to this incident and grateful for the patience and support we have received from our residents and their families. We are proud of our history and tradition of excellent service, and our ranking as a 4 Star Nursing Home serving the people of this region.”
Redstone’s employee team at all levels supported the extra efforts required to enact this water emergency plan. We are grateful for the commitment to resident safety and care that is exhibited in our communities each and every day, and especially during challenging situations such as this one.
Vicki Loucks, RN/MSN and Redstone’s Chief Operating Officer, states, “As part of Redstone’s water management plan, we routinely test for Legionella. Our last test was negative for any Legionella in December of 2018. We have reviewed all cases of pneumonia in our residents over the past twelve months and we have not identified any other indications of Legionella. Out of abundant caution, we are still going to treat the water in our Skilled Nursing Home, in order to eradicate any potential threat of the bacteria, despite the negative test results. We will continue to provide regular and thorough testing of our water, as we have done in the past.”
John R. Dickson, Redstone’s CEO, noted that “Except for the water safety measures put into place, services at Redstone were uninterrupted during this time. I’m so proud of the way that our employees responded to this incident and grateful for the patience and support we have received from our residents and their families. We are proud of our history and tradition of excellent service, and our ranking as a 4 Star Nursing Home serving the people of this region.”
