Search Weight Loss Topics:




Oct 4

New Visitation Guidance Given to Area Long Term Care Facilities – KIOW

Nursing homes and long term care facilities have just received updates on visitation guidance. Many of these facilities are on lockdown and two are currently undergoing outbreaks.

The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) and the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals (DIA) are updating guidance for long-term care facilities to comply with new requirements from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). This updated guidance aligns with federal regulations to balance resident and staff safety with quality of life.

This guidance allows flexibility and additional clarity around allowable indoor visitation, allows increased access to important quality of life services such as access to barbers and beauticians, and it further expands the definition of compassionate care visits. The term does not exclusively refer to end-of-life situations. Examples of other types of compassionate care situations include:

The updated guidance provides reasonable ways a nursing home can safely facilitate in-person visitation to address the psychosocial needs of residents. Physical separation from family and other loved ones has taken a physical and emotional toll on residents. Residents may feel socially isolated, leading to increased risk for depression, anxiety, and other expressions of distress. Residents living with cognitive impairment or other disabilities may find visitor restrictions and other ongoing changes related to COVID-19 confusing or upsetting.

Nursing home residents derive value from the physical, emotional, and spiritual support they receive through visitation from family and friends. In light of this, CMS revised their guidance regarding visitation in nursing homes during the COVID-19 public health emergency. Visitation may occur through different means based on a facilitys structure and residents needs, such as in resident rooms, dedicated visitation spaces and outdoors.

Except for ongoing use of virtual visits, facilities may still restrict visitation due to the COVID-19 county positivity rate, the facilitys COVID-19 status, a residents COVID-19 status, visitor symptoms, lack of adherence to proper infection control practices, or other relevant factors related to the COVID-19 public health emergency. However, facilities may not restrict visitation without a reasonable clinical or safety cause, consistent with federal regulations.

The new guidance is specifically targeted at long-term care facilities (e.g., nursing homes). Other facilities or congregate care settings, such as assisted living or residential care facilities, may choose to follow an independently developed framework for easing restrictions. Guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) regarding COVID-19 mitigation strategies for assisted living congregate settings can be found online:

The State has and will continue to collaborate with federal partners, long-term care associations, and stakeholders on how to responsibly ease restrictions in long-term care facilities while COVID-19 remains a concern in communities across the state.

Read the original:
New Visitation Guidance Given to Area Long Term Care Facilities - KIOW

Related Posts

    Your Full Name

    Your Email

    Your Phone Number

    Select your age (30+ only)

    Select Your US State

    Program Choice

    Confirm over 30 years old

    Yes

    Confirm that you resident in USA

    Yes

    This is a Serious Inquiry

    Yes

    Message:



    matomo tracker