Eighth COVID-19-related fatality at Broadmoor’s Medical Lodge in Rockwall

From Rockwall County Office of Emergency Management

(ROCKWALL, TX – May 17, 2020) We regret to inform you that another fatality has occurred at Broadmoor. To date, there are 60 COVID-19 cases in Broadmoor, 39 residents (15 recovered), 21 staff (17 recovered), and 8 fatalities.

Broadmoor administration is conducting another round of testing today and tomorrow on all residents and staff. Broadmoor now has the support of the City of Rockwall Fire Department, who has begun working with them to mitigate spread and will conduct a site assessment this week.

On May 15, Governor Abbott and the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) announced that local fire departments in Texas will begin providing or coordinating testing in nursing homes throughout the state. The City of Rockwall Fire Department and the Royse City Fire department will also be conducting site assessments of each nursing home in Rockwall County. Assessments will include a review of the facility’s policies and procedures, personal protective equipment, infection control guidelines and provide recommendations to help reduce the spread of COVID-19. Fire departments will also determine if additional response operations are necessary.

Following is a statement from Broadmoor Medical Lodge. If there are additional questions or comments, please reach out to Broadmoor’s Chief Compliance Officer, David Glass, at 855-874-6781.

Broadmoor Medical Lodge Statement Regarding COVID-19

Following the guidance of the CDC and CMS, Broadmoor Medical Lodge began COVID-19 preparation/precautions in February. By March 11th, the facility had moved to the limited visitation and essential worker monitoring/workflow suggested by the CDC/CMS. The facility has followed and adapted to the recommendations of the CDC and CMS. The facility has been and continues to be fully stocked with the PPE necessary to care for staff and residents in the building. Our Medical Director has also been intimately involved giving guidance and direction.

When Broadmoor Medical Lodge learned of the first case on April 17th, the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) and the Texas Health and Human Services (HHSC) were notified immediately. All listed responsible family members and residents were notified that same day. All direct-care staff was provided with N95 respirators and residents were provided masks for use as well. In addition, at this time a separate hall/unit that has a separate entrance was set up to care for any residents testing positive for the disease. The residents living in this hall as well as the staff that care for them each day are isolated solely to that hall.

The facility has been in constant and daily communication with the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) and the Texas Health and Human Services (HHSC). HHSC has conducted an onsite visit of the facility. There has been daily communication with an epidemiologist that works for DSHS (epidemiology is the study and control of disease in the human population). This epidemiologist has spent considerable time monitoring Broadmoor’s facility processes, PPE supplies, infection control protocol, cleaning and disinfecting routines, and other tasks. The facility staff has been continuously re-trained on hand washing, infection control protocol, disinfecting processes, and other COVID-19 precautions. The feedback from HHSC and the epidemiologist with DSHS have affirmed that the facility is following the guidance given for this pandemic.

A 3rd party company was brought in on 4/30 to clean and disinfect the entire facility down to every closet and drawer in every room using an EPA-approved chemical for disinfection of COVID-19. This was a not a requirement but the company felt it an important part of the fight against the virus.

Broadmoor Medical Lodge, in working with local authorities, identified the need for universal testing early on. Since the state was unable to provide full facility testing at the time, the facility found its own testing through a private lab and tested all staff and residents. The testing is continuing weekly while continuing to care for our residents. Their healthcare is of upmost importance to us and the reason that we are working so hard to prevent the spread and eradicate it from our building.

Broadmoor Medical Lodge remains committed to providing quality resident care in the midst of this pandemic. If there are additional questions or comments, please reach out to our company’s Chief Compliance Officer, David Glass. The number for him is 855-874-6781.

Submitted by Rockwall County Office of Emergency Management

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