Covid-19 Safe Start Visitation Policy
The Safe Start for Long-Term Care (LTC) plan from Washington State Department of Health (DOH) and Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) with guidance from the Center for Disease Control (CDC), established criteria for long-term care facilities to safely permit visitation.
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Facilities and homes are required to follow these Safe Start for LTC Recommendations and Requirements.
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The impact of COVID-19 vaccines on community transmission rates may allow for future changes to the recommendations and requirements in the Safe Start for LTC. The plan is independent of the Governor’s Healthy Washington Roadmap to Recovery.
Types of visits:
This plan outlines how our facility will implement the following types of visitation:
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Virtual visits (All phases)
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Outdoor visits (All phases)
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Indoor visits (All phases)
In order to accommodate safe visits for all residents, please visit our Contact Us page to schedule your tour before connecting with the resident or arriving at the home.
Infection Prevention Protocols Required for Every In-person Visit
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Active Screening of all who enter the facility/home for signs and symptoms of COVID-19 (e.g., temperature checks, questions or observations about signs or symptoms), and denial of entry of those with signs or symptoms
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Hand hygiene (use of alcohol-based hand rub is preferred)
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Face covering or mask (covering mouth and nose), and use of eye protection, if appropriate
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Social distancing at least six feet between persons
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Cleaning and disinfecting high frequency touched surfaces in the home often, and designated visitation areas after each visit
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Appropriate staff use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Remote Visits
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Utilize technology to facilitate visits between residents and families, friends, spiritual community, healthcare workers and ombudsman
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Have staff available for support to ensure successful visit
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Any equipment shared among residents will be cleaned and disinfected between uses according to manufacturer guidelines
Outdoor Visits
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Outdoor visits are weather-permitting
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Adequate staff will be present to assist with outdoor transition of residents, and to assist with disinfection of any visitation areas as necessary
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Visits will be monitored for infection prevention compliance
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Our outdoor visits will occur ____________________ (outdoor space that is accessible without having visitors walk through the home and allows for social distancing of at least 6 feet between visitor and resident.
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The home will be closed to visitation if there is a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19 inside the home.
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Residents under quarantine or observation are not eligible for outdoor visits
Indoor Visits:
Facilities should allow indoor visitation, except for a few circumstances when visitation should be limited due to a high risk of COVID-19 transmission. Either the visitor or resident must be fully vaccinated for indoor visitation to occur. Compassionate care visits should be permitted at all times, including during the times outlined below when regular visitation is curtailed. These scenarios for limiting indoor visitation include:
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Unvaccinated residents, unless the visitor is fully vaccinated
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Residents with confirmed COVID-19 infection, whether vaccinated or unvaccinated until they have met the criteria to discontinue Transmission-Based Precautions; or
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Residents in quarantine, whether vaccinated or unvaccinated, until they have met criteria for release from quarantine.
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