CHARLESTON, W. Va. – AMFM Nursing & Rehabilitation Centers (AMFM) are excited to announce indoor visitation is allowed based on criteria set forth by Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), guidance from the West Virginia Office of Health Facility Licensure & Certification (OHFLAC) and approval by Governor Jim Justice.
AMFM encourages families and the community to follow their visitation chart for their center’s status, as several AMFM centers are currently open for in-person visitation. The complete visitation status for each center is located online at www.amfmwv.com.
“Our center employees have been preparing for months for when restrictions would be lifted to allow for families to visit. Screenings will continue to take place for all visitors prior to entering the center. Face masks, social distancing and other specific guidelines are required to ensure everyone’s safety during the visitation. We are making appointments and reuniting loved ones in many of our centers and it doesn’t get much better than this,” shared John Elliot, Owner.
The AMFM visitation phase status follows the guidelines set forth by CMS and will be updated regularly.
West Virginia nursing home visitation guidelines are based on CMS criteria. Each AMFM center’s visitation status will follow the AMFM color-coding legend below.
• Green (low – less than 5% positivity rate): Visitation is open by appointment only
• Yellow (medium: 5-10% positivity rate): Visitation is open by appointment only
• Red (High – more than 10% positivity rate): Compassionate care visits only by appointment due to either CMS Regional Guidelines map positivity rate or the center’s COVID-19 positive status within the past 14 days
For additional information regarding the CMS Guidelines that all West Virginia nursing homes follow regarding visitation, please visit: COVID-19 Nursing Home Data | Data.CMS.gov. Click on Rates of County Positivity under the COVID-19 Testing paragraph and download the Test Positivity Rates to view the visitation status by County for West Virginia.
Centers will be scheduling visitations to limit the number of individuals in the center at one time. To schedule a visit, loved ones may call the center or use the Schedule a Visit Request Form (amfmwv.com).
AMFM also offered a summary of in-person visitation guidelines so you will be prepared for your visit.
• Visitation is by appointment only. You must call or schedule a visit using Schedule a Visit Form on our website and make prior arrangements before arriving at the center to visit with your loved one.
• You will be screened for symptoms of COVID-19 before being admitted into the center.
• At a minimum, you will be asked to wear a facemask or face covering and should acquire one now for when you are ready to see your loved one. You may be asked to wear an N95 or additional Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) depending on the current circumstances.
• You will be asked to use hand sanitizer prior to entering.
• There are only two visitors per patient at one time.
• Children must be able to follow and understand visitation guidelines.
• Visitation will be in a designated area. Employees will sanitize the area between scheduled visits.
AMFM was the first in West Virginia and the nation to offer the COVID-19 vaccine to all their patients and employees. Second dose vaccination clinics were completed in the second week of January. Since then, cases of COVID-19 have declined in AMFM’s 19 centers.
New employees and patients have the option to receive their first dose vaccination if they have not already received one. Environmental teams continue their infection control cleaning protocols throughout the center by wiping down commonly touched areas (handrails, doorknobs, desks, etc…).
AMFM operates 19 skilled nursing and rehabilitation centers throughout West Virginia. The care centers are in Braxton, Boone, Cabell, Clay, Fayette, Hardy, Harrison (Clarksburg & Bridgeport), Greenbrier, Lincoln, Mason, Marshall, McDowell, Mercer, Summers, Taylor, Wayne, Webster, and Wyoming counties.
AMFM’s mission is “to exemplify excellence in quality care to our customers by providing an environment that enhances personal growth, individuality, dignity and respect.”