Essex County – Today, federal personnel from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) visited the Essex Center amid the recent COVID-19 outbreak. After discussions with local Essex County elected officials and families who have lost loved ones, Congresswoman Stefanik contacted CMS and requested their urgent federal assistance. At Stefanik’s request, CMS immediately had one of their Quality Improvement Organization (QIO) teams contact the Essex Center and discuss the situation and talk through steps being taken to protect nursing home residents and staff. QIO personnel were on site at the Essex Center today to assess the steps being taken to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and provide direct technical assistance, including tours, observations and interactions with staff on all three clinical units and the kitchen.
“After working with local Essex County elected officials and families regarding the Essex Center COVID-19 outbreak, I immediately advocated for federal assistance from CMS. Today, at my urging, CMS Quality Improvement Organization personnel were on site to provide technical assistance and resources to the Essex Center,” said Congresswoman Stefanik. “Ensuring the safety of our seniors in nursing homes has been a top priority over the last several months. This latest outbreak is deeply concerning, and I will continue to work to get families answers on how this happened and how it can be prevented going forward. I’m very grateful to CMS for answering my call to action and responding so quickly to work with the Essex Center, and my prayers are with all of the seniors and families affected by the Essex Center outbreak.”
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