POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
SOCIAL VISITS
Policy: The facility will assure that residents/families are treated, and their respect and dignity will be maintained during their residency at the facility in accordance to the visitation rights on Residents and Families (No Patient Left Alone Act).
Purpose: The purpose of the document is to implement a safe, effective, and efficient procedure for residents’ social visits. It is policy of this facility to provide to each resident written information concerning the ALF’s policies regarding Visitation rights on Residents and Families (No Patient Left Alone Act) in respect to State Legislation. It allows for visitors as chosen by the residents without discrimination in any manner (race, creed, sexual orientation, nationality, disability, gender, color, etc.). In addition, the resident has the right to exclude any person from visiting. Residents have the right to change their visitor preferences, (both allowed and restricted) at any time during their stay. The facility staff adhere to all policies and procedures.
As required by the Federal Guidelines: Residents have the right to self-determine who may and may not visit during their facility stay to include all of the following: Spouse, Domestic Partner, Family Member, Children, Friend, Any other visitors so designated by the patient
All staff have been trained on proper policies and procedures as it pertains to social visits. Our Policies and Procedures focuses primarily on the safety, health and wellbeing of our residents, staff and visitors and is concentrated on proper infection control, social distancing, and proper PPE use.
Required Facility Conditions for Indoor/Outdoor visits:
• Sufficient staff to support management and monitoring of visitors
• Adequate PPE
• Adequate cleaning and disinfecting supplies
Procedures for indoor/Outdoor visits:
• Designate front desk staff to support infection prevention and control education of visitors on topics such as use of masks, proper hand sanitization, social distancing, and visitation policies.
• Notify and inform residents, their representatives, and visitors of any change in the visitation policy. It is recognized that many residents may not be able to make decisions or communicate effectively and, in such cases, any issues related to visitation will be deferred to the primary decision maker.
• Visitor screening to include temperature check and sign a self-attestation screening to ensure healthy visitation, infection prevention and control policies.
• All visitors will be asked to sanitize hands (if they would prefer, they can wash hands in public restroom).
• Staff will encourage visitors to use a three-ply cloth mask or disposable surgical mask.
• Visitor areas must be disinfected in between visits.
• Residents can designate visitors/caregivers ahead.
• No more than two visitors per visit. Visits can be scheduled ahead to ensure availability of designated areas with allowance for disinfecting in between visits.
• Designate visitor areas that can accommodate social distancing and ensure no close contact with other residents.
• Outdoor visitor areas must be protected from weather elements.
• Visitors will be encouraged to practice social distancing for the safety and welfare of all.
Scope for practice:
1. Visitation hours are from 0900 to 1800.
a. Patients may receive 2 visitors at a time and as many visitors are permitted per day
a. Visitors must be of any age.
2. In person visitation will be permitted in all the following circumstance unless the resident objects:
a. End of life situations.
b. If a resident was living with family before being admitted to the provider’s care and is struggling with the change in environment and lack of in-person family support.
c. The resident is making one or more major medical decisions.
d. The resident is experiencing emotional distress grieving the loss of a friend or family member who recently died.
e. The resident cueing or encouragement to eat or drink which was previously provided by a family member or caregiver.
f. A resident who used to talk and interact with others is seldom speaking.
3. Visitor conduct is expected to be appropriate and non-disruptive. Any issues related to disruptive conduct (aggression, failure to comply with policies and procedures, etc.) will be initially managed by the charge person or the supervisor. If unresolved, the issue will be brought to the attention of the Administrator, or designee.
4. Consensual physical contact between a resident and the visitor is allowed.
5. Children must be always accompanied and supervised by an adult. Visitation of children to patients in isolation are highly discouraged.
6. Visitors may not visit with signs of active, communicable illness (fever, cough, rhinorrhea, muscle aches and pains).
a. Visitors will self-screen for signs and symptoms of communicable illness.
b. The self-screen will be attested as part of the Visitor Log.
c. Visitors will adhere to all facility infection control policies and procedure including those pertaining to personal protective equipment.
d. Visitors will receive education on infection control practices as per policy. Requiring proof of visitor immunization and/or vaccination is prohibited.
7. Visitors may bring food and beverages to the residents.
8. Visitors may not bring medication or drugs (licit or illicit) at any time, unless requested and approved by the physician.
9. Visitors may never take the resident off the unit, unless informed to the facility staff.
10. Visitors must respect the privacy of all residents.
11. The facility staff will support the resident’s choice in visitation. Information will only be shared according to HIPAA policies.
12. Any issues or disputes related to visitation will be managed within the Grievance Procedure.
