Champions in Action
The arrival of an FDA-authorized COVID-19 vaccine brought joy and hope to the residents, their families and associates at Life Care Center of Littleton. With a focus on inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation with 24-hour skilled nursing care, the facility has been serving the care needs of the historic Littleton, Colorado, community for almost 20 years.
“We share a trust with the community we serve,” said Michelle Fraternali, who was the executive director during the outbreak and now regional vice president. “Offering the vaccine to our associates and residents is an important, visible step to restore any concerns the community may have about us. It’s been a difficult year, and I think everyone in the skilled nursing industry is thankful that a vaccine is available and being administered.”
Fraternali emphasized that the availability of a vaccine is not the end of the fight against COVID-19, which has attacked the most vulnerable members of society across the country since early 2020. It is an important step in the right direction, though. Life Care Center of Littleton will maintain its stringent safety measures and will continue to follow all guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and state and local public health agencies.
Our goal is to provide a high level of service in a safe environment that brings peace of mind for our residents and patients, along with their families. The virus tested us, but we came out stronger on the other side.
Michelle Fraternali, who was the executive director during the outbreak and now regional vice president.
Champions Fight.
In July 2020, COVID-19 came to Life Care Center of Littleton for the first time. Like health care workers in skilled nursing facilities across the country, associates at the facility found themselves fighting a lethal virus no government or health care system was prepared for.
The loss of life and the pain associated with losing residents was immense. Fear of the unknown shook everyone’s confidence. However, the residents and associates at the facility were shaken, but not defeated. They were determined to overcome every challenge and heartache brought on by COVID-19.
Michelle Fraternali, who was the executive director during the outbreak and now regional vice president.
Play VideoChampions Rise.
Like so many communities around the country, Life Care Center of Littleton and the surrounding area have faced unprecedented challenges as a result of COVID-19. Through the COVID-19 pandemic, the associates and residents at the facility have experienced triumph, tragedy and sorrow. But even in the darkest times, they stayed focused on protecting each other. As a result, they have come out stronger. Life Care Center of Littleton is a family. The facility’s commitment to the safety of its residents and associates has never been higher, and the facility’s associates continue to fight daily for the health, well-being and peace of mind of the residents in their care.
I will never forget the courage and strength I saw from staff in our buildings during this time – the countless hours that staff worked to take care of all their residents, making sure they were cared for and felt loved. I want the world to know that these staff members are heroes. They truly are champions of care!
Cristal Collier, regional director of business development
That vigilance includes:
An increased focus on infection control and safety are part of the lessons learned by the skilled nursing industry due to battling COVID-19. As a result, Life Care Center of Littleton is being vigilant to invest in new technology and implement strengthened safety measures in our facilities. That vigilance includes
- Providing every patient with a routine clinical assessment.
- Doing PCR testing on associates and residents for routine surveillance testing and following state health care guidelines to utilize “Point of Care” testing equipment from the federal government in situations where it is needed to test symptomatic associates and residents.
- An ongoing surveillance testing program that continues for staff, per state requirement.
- Ongoing communication with family members.
- Maintaining strict adherence to CDC, CMS and state health department infection control protocols.
- Utilizing a UV SafeZone decontamination device, state-of-the-art technology which uses ultraviolet light to help kill viruses and bacteria.
- Continuously updating training for associates based on regulations and first-hand experience in controlling the virus.
Champions Rise.