The Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health, Bureau of Health Care Quality and Compliance is actively investigating Willow Springs Center, a licensed hospital serving children with behavioral health needs in Reno.
As of today, 24 youth and 11 staff have tested positive for COVID-19 and others are still awaiting test results.
The Division is coordinating with the Washoe County Health District and Willow Springs to ensure the health and safety of all youth and staff at the facility.
Measures are in place to prevent further exposure.
Willow Springs Center CEO Andrew Herod said, “The health and wellness of our patients and staff is of utmost importance and we are taking this matter seriously and cooperating with the State during their review of our facility.
“We have regular monitoring in place and continue to educate our patients about self-precautions. The team is in full cooperation with the State and Health Department, and we will take further steps if necessary to protect everyone’s wellbeing.”
Iamnotrequired says
They failed to mention the death of a residential mentor, who had advised the facility about three weeks ago of a patient that showed symptoms of C-19, and the mentor was coughed and sneezed on and no one took it seriously. Two days later the mentor was turned away from work due to a fever and was told to go to the hospital then died within a week of being told to go. The mentor was confirmed positive for C-19.
Not only that, the facility had received numerous reports and complaints of symptomatic patients while not providing proper PPE to staff or allowing staff to work the units with gloves or mask on the floor. The facility has also failed to provide proper staff support throughout the months, though they have hired people, the facility failed to see the importance of their staff and family members continuing to compromise staff and their family and equally important the patients.
The facility also is having staff who have tested positive to work, and those waiting on results to work also, not knowing if they are positive or not because they are not symptomatic.
It is also known that there have been numerous staff members who have also reported that the facility is not equipped to handle an outbreak such as this. It is not the fault of any of the staff it is the fault the company and its procedures.
This facility has to do better for the sake of its patients, employees, and their families.