Our weekly COVID testing for personal care and skilled nursing conducted on March 10th has returned all negative results.
We are happy to report that CMS released new guidance on visitation the evening of March 10, 2021. Our updated guidance for skilled nursing visitation is highlighted below in accordance with CMS.
1. Whenever possible visitation should occur outdoors, even if the resident and visitors are fully vaccinated. Outdoor visits do not need to be scheduled in advance. After screening at the reception desk you can take your loved one out to the courtyard or around campus. You must notify nursing prior to taking a resident out.
2. Indoor visits will be permitted on the skilled unit under the following guidelines:
a. Scheduling
i. For residents with a roommate, arrangements will need to be made ahead of time so that a space can be reserved for the visit. You will need to book your visit in advance using the current online scheduling platform. https://pbc800.appointlet.com
ii. You may visit in the resident’s room if the resident does not have a roommate. This does not require advance scheduling but will be limited to a maximum number of visitors on the unit at any one time for distancing and space limitations.
b. Visiting Protocols
i. Visitors must wear a facial covering or mask at all times covering mouth and nose. Residents are recommended to wear their masks if possible.
ii. Hand hygiene must be followed
iii. Distancing of six feet is required between all visitors and other residents and staff. If a resident is fully vaccinated, they can choose to have close contact (including touch) with their visitor while wearing a well-fitting face mask and performing hand-hygiene before and after. CMS continues to encourage physical distancing but acknowledges the difficulties as well.
iv. Visitors must go directly to the resident room or designated visiting space after screening. Visitors cannot go through other hallways or socialize with other residents or staff.
c. Visitor Requirements
i. No more than two visitors per resident at any one time.
ii. Any children visiting must be able to wear a mask and remain in the designated visiting area.
iii. We recommend that individuals from the same household visit together, as per CDC guidance.
d. Visit Procedure
i. Visitors must be screened at the reception desk prior to every visit.
1. You will not be able to enter if you have signs and symptoms of COVID-19 or if you have been in close contact with someone who has had COVID-19 infection in the prior 14 days, regardless of the visitor’s vaccination status.
ii. Visitors will not be required to test for entry. While not required, we encourage visitors to be tested on their own prior to coming to the facility (e.g., within 2–3 days). Similarly, we encourage visitors to become vaccinated when they have the opportunity.
iii. Visitors will be escorted onto the unit and directed to the proper visiting location based on outdoor/indoor, roommate/individual room, and other factors.
e. Visitation Cancellation
i. Indoor visitation will not be allowed under the following circumstances:
1. Unvaccinated residents, if the nursing home’s COVID-19 county positivity rate is >10% and <70% of residents in the facility are fully vaccinated;
2. Residents with confirmed COVID-19 infection, whether vaccinated or unvaccinated until they have met the criteria to discontinue Transmission-Based Precautions; or
3. Residents in quarantine, whether vaccinated or unvaccinated, until they have met criteria for release from quarantine. This will include all newly admitted residents. Only outdoor visitation will be allowed for newly admitted residents until their 14-day quarantine is completed.
4. When a new case of COVID-19 among residents or staff is identified, we will immediately begin outbreak testing and suspend all visitation (except that required under federal disability rights law), until at least one round of facility-wide testing is completed. Depending on the results of the testing the facility may be able to reopen visitation to all or parts of the facility.