Policy And Procedures For Visitation
Policy: The intent of this policy is to ensure that Residents have access to visitors of their choice and visitors and facility staff work together to ensure a healthy environment.
Procedures: All residents who live in this facility will be encouraged to have visitors who support their physical and/or mental wellbeing. Residents will always maintain the right to make decisions as to whom they want to see (visit with) and for how long in alignment with Florida Resident Rights. Facility staff will honor residents’ choices.
The facility will provide hand sanitizer at the entrance and in general activity area for use by visitors and residents. Visitors will also have access to bathrooms for handwashing. The facility will have gloves and masks available for use by visitors, if requested by the visitor.
No resident or visitor will be asked to wear Personal Protective Equipment (masks, gown, gloves), unless there is a physician order specified to the Resident being visited.
Residents have a right to refuse to wear a facial covering even if their physician has order it (Florida Residents Rights). The facility will then work with the residents to minimize the risk of any period of potential transmission.
Visitors and staff have the right to opt out of wearing facial covering, even if ordered for specific resident.
This facility does not mandate vaccinations or immunizations for residents/staff or visitors but does reserve the right to request visitors to sign in upon entering the home.
This facility is committed to an environment that is safe and infection free for our residents, staff, and visitors. To that end, this facility has the following practices in place:
1) Surfaces that are touched often throughout the day will be disinfected routinely by staff with a sanitizing disinfectant.
2) Staff will routinely monitor areas of the home throughout the day to ensure any spills or areas needing cleaning will be addressed timely.
3) Residents are asked to maintain their personal environments in a clean manner to the extent that they are physically/mentally able.
4) Resident living areas will be monitored routinely and cleaned as needed. Deep cleaning of resident living areas will be done on a scheduled basis and as needed.
5) Staff will wear gloves at all times when preparing and serving food for residents. Gloves should also be worn when providing personal care to residents. Staff will utilize hand sanitizer throughout the day prior to providing care or preparing food.
6) Staff will wash hands in accordance with CDC guidelines and prior to and after resident-specific activities or food preparation as well as after their own personal care.
7) Visitors and Caregivers of residents are expected to follow the Visitor Guidelines that are part of the sign-in process at the facility. Masks and gloves will be provided if requested.
The visitation policies and procedures required by this section must allow in-person visitation in all of the following circumstances, unless the resident, client, or patient objects:
End-of-life situations.
resident, client, or patient who was living with family before being admitted to the provider’s care is struggling with the change in environment and lack of in-person family support.
The resident, client, or patient is making one or more major medical decisions.
A resident, client, or patient is experiencing emotional distress or grieving the loss of a friend or family member who recently died.
A resident, client or patient needs cueing or encouragement to eat or drink which was previously provided by a family member or caregiver.
A resident, client, or patient who used to talk and interact with others is seldom speaking.