Infection consultant will review Westmoreland Manor procedures amid virus outbreak

Westmoreland commissioners will hire an infection control consultant to review procedures at the county-owned nursing home as coronavirus cases among residents and staff continue to increase there.

Commissioners said Tuesday they expect to award a $10,000 contract Harrisburg-based LW Consulting Inc. to assess the policies in place at Westmoreland Manor and to recommend changes to help curb any future outbreaks at the 408-bed facility in Hempfield.

“They will come in a review the our processes. They are bringing two consultants, one for a day and another for half-day interviews,” said Commissioner Sean Kertes.

The county has battled a coronavirus outbreak at the nursing home since mid-September and as of Tuesday 129 residents and 37 employees have been infected, a increase of four residents and two staffers since late last week.

Six Manor resident deaths have been attributed to the coronavirus and four residents remain hospitalized on Tuesday, according to Commissioner Gina Cerilli.

Official said about 42 residents were diagnosed with the virus within the last two weeks and are considered as among those infected.

The Manor is testing residents and staff every three to seven days in search of active coronavirus cases.

The procedural review will assist the Manor’s new leadership team, commissioners said.

The Manor is run by a Premier Healthcare Resources, a private company based in Penn Township. The firm owns and operates a number of other nursing homes in the county and in other locations throughout Pennsylvania including some that have had coronavirus outbreaks.

The Manor’s former director, replaced in early October by county commissioners, was a company employee. Acting interim administrator Abby Testa is paid by the county.

In addition to the consulting contract, commissioners said they will purchase an automated kiosk that records temperatures of all Manor visitors and staff. Those functions had been conducted by an employee stationed at the front door.

The equipment is similar to what is used at the county’s 911 center and is expected to cost about $10,000.

Meanwhile, commissioners said Manor staff and nurses supplied by two private companies to augment the county staff will continue to receive hazard pay through Nov. 21.