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FAQs

What is Holy Trinity’s response to Covid?

Holy Trinity cares about the health and safety of your loved one and has Covid policies and procedures in strict accordance with local, state, and federal guidelines. We are also providing the City of Worcester and Massachusetts Department of Public Health with regular updates on the status of our residents and staff.

Visitors do not have to schedule their visits. However, you must wear a mask throughout your visit and have your temperature taken at our receptionist desk. We offer Rapid Tests to visitors who would like to take one; it takes approximately 15 minutes to get the results.

If you would like to use video conferencing to meet with your loved one, please contact the Activities Department at 508-852-1000.

We do weekly Covid-surveillance testing for all employees on an ongoing basis per state guidelines. All staff, private caregivers, pharmacies, and other healthcare providers will be allowed after a screening process, as these are considered essential healthcare personnel.

For more information regarding the State of Massachusetts Coronavirus updates, go to: https://www.mass.gov/covid-19-updates-and-information.

What is “skilled care”?

Skilled care is any type of care that insurance will pay for.

It includes licensed, comprehensive care for short-term rehabilitation or long-term nursing care and monitoring, both under direct physician oversight, with nutritional support for recovery. Services include, but are not limited to, diabetes management, ostomy care, tracheostomy care, IV management, enteral nutrition, post-surgical care, and wound care.

What is “long-term care”?

Long-term care is any type of stay that is not covered by medical insurance. Long-term care involves private pay, long-term care insurance, or MassHealth (Medicaid).

What are the costs of skilled nursing?

The costs for skilled nursing can vary and are sometimes high. For this reason, our Business Office will assist you in finding the best combination of financial support possible. This can include many options, such as private pay, long-term care insurance, health insurance, and government assistance, such as Medicare, Medicare Advantage, and Medicaid.

Some plans have a copay or co-insurance that the resident is responsible for paying.

Our Business Office manager can review coverage and determine costs for you. Contact the Holy Trinity Business Office Manager at businessoffice@htnr.net

Can someone be admitted from home?

Yes. An individual must have a skilled nursing need, or a medical need, and a three-day qualifying hospital stay, in order for Medicare or certain insurances to pay for the skilled care.

The individual’s primary care physician will complete needed paperwork, including a list of medications and the individual’s medical history, and the skilled nursing staff will review it.

Does an individual need a physician’s referral for admission?

Yes. A physician’s certificate is required.

Does an individual need to be a certain age to be admitted?

No. Residents of all ages live at Holy Trinity, with the exception of pediatric patients. Holy Trinity does not have a pediatric rehabilitation program. The Admissions Office reviews all admissions to consider the clinical needs of the admission, and also the current residents receiving care.

How long does an individual receive short-term rehabilitation?

Times vary, depending on the individual’s progress and response to therapy, as well as medical conditions and history. In general, short-term patients average 2-6 weeks in skilled care.

Can a resident see his/her primary care physician during their stay?

Residents are assigned a new primary care physician when they arrive at Holy Trinity, and for the length of their stay. Our nursing staff can send updates to a resident’s outside primary care physician, if the resident or family signs a consent form.

How are medications received?

Holy Trinity nursing staff orders all medications through a contracted pharmacy and administers medications at the prescribed times.

What is an interdisciplinary care plan?

A plan designed to provide a continuum of care for residents, with a team of health care professionals, including the nursing and dietary teams, a social worker, the activities department, and physical, speech and occupational therapists. Our staff collaborate in frequent interdisciplinary care plan meetings to provide the best support for the individual’s goals.

What is a physical therapy modality?

Modalities such as heat, ice, ultrasound, and electrical stimulation (such as TENS) are typically used in conjunction with other procedures to help relieve pain, improve circulation, reduce muscle spasm, improve muscle function, and deliver medication.

What are visiting hours?

Our policy is that visitors are welcome at any time. However, currently the government-mandated COVID-19 restrictions are in place for the health of our residents and staff. 

Can a resident go out for a day visit, or home for weekends and holidays?

Restrictions may apply, depending on a resident’s current medical condition, as well as the payer source for care. For example, MassHealth allows ten overnight visits. However, we recommend that you speak to the resident’s social worker to arrange a leave of absence.