Just got a weird call from in-laws skilled nursing facility. What could this mean?

I’m grateful that my LO’s MC is SO GOOD at contacting me, even as terrible as everything has been since the pandemic started.

I would consider your experience to be totally unacceptable. Do you have a sense of chain of command in respect to who’s really in charge of contacts? I’d start making calm but insistent calls until I got satisfaction.

I’d also be in touch with the board of health in the community. In my state Covid statistics are mandated as public record.

I think Kafka has taken over the running of the world.

Whatever else it is, this is... UNSPEAKABLY ridiculous.

We're required by law to inform families of (suitable generic term, say...) untoward incidents.

We're required by law not to breach confidentiality.

Policy is not to foment public unrest and alarm.

So the result is they call all of their residents' families and say, in effect "we know something you don't know!"

I would like a single individual in the entire world to stand up and say they think this is an acceptable outcome.

It's RIDICULOUS.

Write a formal complaint to B_ Healthcare.
If you have know of a public health authority covering the facility's locality, see if there's any guidance or information on their website or a public information line to call.
Are you able to speak to your in-laws, meanwhile?

Ok so it Is covid. An employee has tested positive. All residents will be tested daily for two weeks. I don’t know why all the weirdness. Just come out and say it. Fortunately my mil will have no idea what’s happening - (Alzheimer’s ) she was always a big worrier. Father in law will just yell at the nurse each time he gets tested. Thanks for chiming in. I’m not going to cause an issue about it that’s not how I am.

I would file a complaint. What in the world are they accomplishing with their phone calls?

We have to notify you that something has happened, but we can't tell you what. WHAT?

Doesn't cover their responsibility to notify families of any incident, in my opinion they are creating concerns unnecessarily.

That makes absolutely no sense to call and just cause anxiety for family members of the residents.

I would be upset if I were you too. I would also find it strange.

It's weird that the caller gave her name. If she were calling to inform you of something of which she has no authority to share, not sure why she'd give her name. I'd follow up and call the facility to discuss. Even if it gets this person in trouble and is fired...she deserves it. Sorry, it was inappropriate for her to call you and leave a half-baked, worrisome message and offer no solution or recommendation on a pathway forward to help your in-laws. Who is the durable PoA for your in-laws? Are they mentally capable of acting in their own best interests?

There's nothing in HIPPA that prevents the nursing home from disclosing someone has Covid. They just can't say who. My mother's place had seven staff members come up positive all at once, then 10 residents ended up with it eventually. That was the extent of the identifying details, but we received weekly updates while there were still active cases. I seem to recall only the death of one resident was ever mentioned, although I think the final total was 3-5, depending on what they thought was the actual cause.

I agree with you, that this is about as WEIRD as it gets. But I know you know that no one on Forum could guess at what happened. So today is your call to administration to find out from the only one who has the answer. I sure would love an update on THIS one.

Sounds to me like some kind of scam or prank call. The caller basically said she is required to inform you of something she cannot inform you of. That is a nonsense statement. Call the facility and speak to an administrator to be sure, but I bet it’s nothing.

To those speculating that it’s Covid.

I doubt if this is Covid related. If it is it is really strange. None of it makes sense.

It’s a mystery. That’s all anyone knows. Nothing was said. Your guess is as good as mine. I don’t even have a guess!