Narins Eating Disorder Center
May 2021 COVID-19 Update
As New York State continues to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic, we would like to update you as to the precautions we are taking to protect our patients and staff members. Our policy was written on 3/16/2020 in collaboration with our Medical Director, Medical Consultant, and Advisory Board Member who is Board Certified in Emergency Medicine. We have updated our procedures as information has changed, and we are meeting guidelines of the NYS Office of Mental Health as well as the Department of Health.
Gratefully, infection rates are finally decreasing, and our community is beginning to again change policy. Narins Eating Disorder Center will continue to work hard to provide a safe environment for recovery while also relaxing our restrictions to some extent. Consistent with CDC recommendations released last week, the following changes are being made:
Although these steps can be inconvenient, our priority is to keep Narins EDC as safe as possible so that our patients can continue their necessary Eating Disorder treatment with minimal disruption. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or concerns. Thanks for supporting our staff and patients' safety.
Tracy Welchoff, Ph.D.
Owner/ Executive Director
May 2021 COVID-19 Update
As New York State continues to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic, we would like to update you as to the precautions we are taking to protect our patients and staff members. Our policy was written on 3/16/2020 in collaboration with our Medical Director, Medical Consultant, and Advisory Board Member who is Board Certified in Emergency Medicine. We have updated our procedures as information has changed, and we are meeting guidelines of the NYS Office of Mental Health as well as the Department of Health.
Gratefully, infection rates are finally decreasing, and our community is beginning to again change policy. Narins Eating Disorder Center will continue to work hard to provide a safe environment for recovery while also relaxing our restrictions to some extent. Consistent with CDC recommendations released last week, the following changes are being made:
- Support Groups are being conducted via secure telehealth. Beginning in June 2021, we will begin to bring our weekly Friends and Family Group back in-house for fully vaccinated parents and guardians only. Others with family members currently in program may continue to attend via zoom.
- Family sessions have been conducted via telehealth instead of having family members come into Narins EDC. This will remain an option as long as telehealth is covered under the current pandemic emergency provisions. However, fully vaccinated parents and guardians only may now schedule in-person family sessions.
- Patients are asked to follow all current Department of Health (DOH) recommendations including masking, travel-related quarantine, private gatherings, and other safeguards put in place. You can view all the details set by the DOH by following this link: https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/home . Any violation of this will result in discharge from the program.
- Until now, staff and patients have been asked to mask before entering the facility and wash their hands immediately. Masks have been required to be worn by all patients and staff except while seated at the kitchen table for meals. As of now, staff and patients who are fully-vaccinated and free of any symptoms of illness may remove their masks in program.
- During daily weights/ check-ins, patient temperatures will continue to be taken. Any elevated temperature or other signs of illness will result in the patient being sent home from program.
- No visitors will be allowed until further notice except for food deliveries to the front lobby.
- Hand sanitizer is available in every room.
- Patients will no longer need to be seated 6 feet apart in the group room and kitchen, but no physical contact is allowed.
- We are following food safety protocols as advised by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
- Patients continue to bring their own blankets (if they choose) and must take them home to be washed weekly. They may bring in their own markers, journal, stress balls, etc to avoid sharing these items.
- We will continue our frequent cleaning service and sanitize high traffic spots daily.
- Staff are responsible for self-monitoring for symptoms of illness and through daily temperature checks on or before arriving to the facility.
- Any patients or staff members who are sick should stay home and recuperate and must meet DOH guidelines before returning to program. If a patient or staff member starts to feel ill during the program day, they will be immediately isolated until arrangements can be made to either go home or seek medical attention.
Although these steps can be inconvenient, our priority is to keep Narins EDC as safe as possible so that our patients can continue their necessary Eating Disorder treatment with minimal disruption. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or concerns. Thanks for supporting our staff and patients' safety.
Tracy Welchoff, Ph.D.
Owner/ Executive Director
