Updated Visitation Policy 6-4-21

Visitation Policy

Outdoor visitation is always preferred even when the resident and visitor are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.  In the event of inclement weather or medical reason visits may be held inside.  Those interested in visiting should call the facility to check availability of visiting room.  The following protocol must be followed for visits.

Fully vaccinated refers to a person who had their 2^nd dose in a 2-dose series more than 2 weeks ago or a person who received their one dose of a single-dose vaccine more than 2 weeks ago.

Residents who are symptomatic or COVID19 positive will be unable to receive visitors. They are encouraged to have virtual or window visits.  They may have in-person visits if deemed compassionate care and must adhere to transmission-based precautions.

If county positivity rate for the county is >10% and < 70% of residents in the facility are fully vaccinated visitation should only occur in medically necessary or in compassionate care situations.  County positivity rates are checked by Administration on Tuesdays through the CMS positivity rates webpage.

If a resident test positive, the entire unit they reside in will be unable to receive visitors for 14 days from the last positive test.  If a staff member test positive, all units will be unable to receive visitors for 14 days from the last positive test.  Due to the facility size and sharing of staff members down each hallway the facility will only resume visits after the 14-day window with no positive test.

Visits will not be held except for compassionate care visits if the facility has a COVID positive resident or staff member.  Compassionate care visits and visits required under the federal disability rights law will be allowed at all times for any resident (vaccinated or unvaccinated).

Residents in quarantine, whether vaccinated or unvaccinated, will not be allowed visitors until they are released from quarantine.  Families will be encouraged to do virtual visits through Face Time, Zoom or closed window if the facility is closed to visits or if an individual resident has tested positive or is in quarantine.

Residents should have access to Long Term Care Ombudsman.

 

Indoor/Outdoor Visitation Policy

1. Visits will be determined by the availability of the facility’s designated indoor visiting area (room 33). This will allow the facility to assure adequate space is available to allow social distancing from other residents, staff and visitors while indoors.
2. It is preferred that visitation hours avoid facility meal times, including set up and clean up (7-8:00 AM, 12-1:00 PM, 5-6 PM).
3. Indoor visits will be limited to 40 minutes. There will be no time limits on outdoor visits.
4. A limit of 3 visitors per visit will be enforced. No age restriction unless the individual is unable to properly wear a face mask.  It is important that all visitors, children included, remain in the designated visiting area.  Children under the age of 2 are not required to wear a face mask.
5. Residents are not to be left unattended in room 33 or any outdoor location unless a facility staff member has advised that this is acceptable.
6. All visitors must perform proper hand hygiene before entering the building. Hand hygiene is strongly encouraged prior to outdoor visits but is not required.
7. All indoor visitors will be required to complete facility COVID-19 screening and have their temperature taken prior to the visit. Outdoor visits do not require the screening form to be completed.
8. If a visitor is unable to pass the screening, are experiencing a fever or others signs and symptoms, or who has had close contact with someone with COVID-19 infection in the prior 14 days, the visitor will not be allowed to visit.
9. Visitors are required to wear a face mask during the duration of the indoor visit. If the county positivity rate goes over 5% or a positive case is noted within the facility, face shields will be required. If a visitor refuses to comply with the face mask requirement they will be asked to leave. Brooklyn Community Estate request visitors arrive with a face mask.  If a face mask is not available, one will be provided. Health care entities are exempt from the Governor’s ban on mask mandates and will continue to be required within the facility.
10. Residents who are fully vaccinated are not required to wear a face mask during an indoor visit. Residents who are not fully vaccinated are strongly encouraged to wear a face mask during all visits.
11. If the resident is fully vaccinated, they can choose to have close contact (including touch) with their visitor indoors. The visitor must wear a well-fitting face mask while indoors and perform hand-hygiene before and after.  Outdoor visits do not require face masks for visitors.  Regardless, visitors should physically distance from other residents and staff in the facility.
12. If a visitor of an unvaccinated resident refuses to comply with the social distancing requirement, they will be asked to leave.
13. Social distancing guidelines of 6 feet will be enforced unless the resident chooses to have closer physical contact.
14. Indoor visits will occur in room 33. For indoor visits, the visitor must enter through the ambulance entry to be checked in. Outdoor visits require the visitor to ring the doorbell at the front door or ambulance entry and request the resident be brought outside for a visit.
15. Visitors are requested to notify a staff member when the visit is complete to assure the resident is not left unattended in room 33 or any outdoor location.
16. The tables, chairs and surrounding areas will be sanitized in between each visit.
17. No food or beverage will be allowed during indoor visits as consumption requires the removal of protective face covering. Food and beverages are allowed for outdoor visits.
18. Indoor visitors must be on time. Each visit will end 20 minutes prior to the next scheduled visit regardless of start time to allow for proper sanitization (ex. 9:40, 10:40, 11:40, 1:40, 2:40, 3:40, 4:40, etc.).
19. Those interested in visiting indoors should call the facility to check availability of indoor visiting room. Outdoor visits do not require the visitor to call the facility.

 

 

 

Compassionate Care Visits

Compassionate Care Visits to be determined by the interdisciplinary team.

Examples but not limited to new resident struggling with new admission, resident who is
grieving, resident having mental, physical, or psychosocial decline, residents experiencing new
behaviors, end of life situations.

Visitors may include anyone that can help meet the resident’s needs such as,
family/friends/clergy/religious/spiritual support that can meet the resident’s needs.

1. All visitors will be required to complete facility COVID-19 screening and have their temperature taken prior to the visit.
2. If a visitor is unable to pass the screening, are experiencing a fever or others signs and symptoms, or who has had close contact with someone with COVID-19 infection in the prior 14 days, the visitor will not be allowed to visit.
3. Visitors are required to wear a face mask at all times.
4. Residents are encouraged to wear a face mask. If a visitor refuses to comply with the face mask requirement they will be asked to leave.
5. A limit of 3 visitors per visit will be enforced. No age restriction unless the individual is unable to properly wear a face mask.  It is important that all visitors, children included, remain in the designated visiting area.  Children under the age of 2 are not required to wear a face mask.
6. If the resident is fully vaccinated, they can choose to have close contact (including touch) with their visitor indoors. The visitor must wear a well-fitting face mask while indoors and perform hand-hygiene before and after.  Outdoor visits do not require face masks for visitors.  Regardless, visitors should physically distance from other residents and staff in the facility.
7. Social distancing guidelines will be enforced unless the resident chooses to have closer physical contact. If a visitor refuses to comply with the indoor face mask requirement they will be asked to leave.
8. A limit of 3 visitors per visit will be enforced. No age restriction unless the individual is unable to wear a face mask.
9. Visitors will be given appropriate PPE in accordance with infection control guidance
10. If resident has roommate and if able, the visit should be held in room 33.
11. Brooklyn Community Estate staff may observe visits to ensure social distancing.
12. Chairs and surfaces will be sanitized after each compassionate care visit.
13. No food or beverage will be allowed during indoor visits as consumption requires the removal of protective face covering.

 

Off-site Visitation

1. Off-site visits where the resident will have high-risk contact or potential exposure to COVID-19 or exposure to a large group of people are strongly discouraged.
2. High-risk exposure will result in the resident being quarantined to their room for 14 days upon return.
3. Off-site visits must be less than 24 hours in nature. Visits lasting longer than 24 hours will result in the resident being quarantined for 14 days.
4. Off-site visits for fully vaccinated residents for family outings are permissible but is it encouraged they have limited contact with unvaccinated individuals, are not in a high-risk environment and maintain social distancing during the outing.
5. Families are encouraged to report any high-risk exposures upon returning the resident to the facility. The screening form will no longer be required upon return.
6. Residents are not required to wear a face mask while out of the facility.