DEWAYNE HOLLOWAY/dewayne@mcnews.online
MOUNT IDA – Governor Asa Hutchinson’s announcement regarding the return of visitation to intermediate and long-term care facilities in Arkansas is welcome news, but the implementation may move a little slower than people might hope.
Last week Governor Hutchinson announced that Arkansas’ intermediate and long-term care facilities will reopen to visitors Wednesday, July 1. However, facilities must meet a strict and lengthy set of requirements while following a host of restrictions. The requirements and restrictions are in place to help guarantee the health and safety of residents and staff at all facilities.
The directive released by the Arkansas Department of Health regarding the directive is a six page document covering indoor and outdoor visitations, group activities, communal dining and hair salon services within the facility.
Tommy Johnston, Director of the Montgomery County Nursing Home facility shared that he wants nothing more than to open both facilities to scheduled visitation. However, the severity of the situation, coupled with ADH’s restrictions will prevent the Montgomery County facilities from opening to visitors Wednesday, July 1.
Johnston was unable to share a date when visitation would resume at either of the county facilities. He shared the six page document with Montgomery County News staff to help people better understand the complexity of reopening the facilities. As always, the health and safety of nursing home residents are the top priority for Johnston and his staff. They will reopen the facilities to the public as soon as they are able to meet state requirements.
Some of the most important facility specific requirements for the facilities include:
Baseline testing for all residents and staff to be performed at least once. All results and requested documents must be provided to the ADH. Facilities must also meet baseline testing guidelines once a positive case in confirmed.
Verifying there are enough hospital beds and ICU services available in the area to treat any possible COVID-19 cases.
The ability to provide adequate staff as legally required and PPE equipment which must be documented with documentation submitted to the National Healthcare Safety Network.
Facilities must be prepared to screen every employee, resident and visitor prior to entry into the facility.
General requirements for visitation include:
Visitors must participate in and pass the facility’s screening process prior to each visit. All screenings must include a questionnaire which includes the visitors identity, resident visited, date, name, address and phone number. They must also agree to contact the facility if they test positive for COVID-19.
Visitors must not have signs of COVID-19 or have tested positive within 14 days of visitation.
Visitors must wear a mask at all times and must sanitize hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or by hand-washing with soap and water when entering and exiting.
Visitors cannot eat during the visit.
Visitation will be limited to two persons at a time during specific hours of the day. Visitations will be by appointment only.
Visitation will not be allowed for residents considered infectious for COVID-19 for at least 14 days after they test positive.
Outdoor visitation must meet the above requirements and can be held in outdoor areas that provide protection from the elements. They can not be held when weather or temperatures pose a threat to residents and/or visitors. Adequate staff must be present to allow personnel to help with transportation of residents, monitoring of visitation and wiping down visitation area after each visit. Outdoor visitation areas must allow appropriate social distancing of at least six feet between everyone.
Residents should wear a face mask if able.
Visitation should be limited to children 12 years of age or older and must be managed while in the facility.
Visitation must be staggered throughout the day to avoid crowding in the facility.
Visitors must remain in their vehicle until their scheduled visitation time. After entering the facility, visitors must stay in designated visitation locations. Visitors are not permitted to go into resident rooms
or living areas without express permission granted in advance of the visit.
Requirements regarding activities include:
All activities must allow appropriate social distancing of at least 6 feet between residents and the individual/s leading or participating in the activity.
All residents and other participants must wear a mask.
Activities should be limited to groups of 10 or fewer individuals.
If possible, encourage doorway activities with residents wearing masks.
Residents from COVID-19, non-COVID-19, and 14 day quarantine areas should not be comingled during activities.
Communal dining requirements include:
Tables must be arranged to allow at least 6 feet between residents and 10 feet between tables.
Tables, chairs and other fixed equipment must be sanitized and wiped down following each meal service. Spray disinfectant is not recommended. Use an EPA registered disinfectant from List N on the
EPA website for surfaces.
A hand washing station or alcohol-based hand rub must be available in the dining room for use by residents and staff.
Residents who must be more closely supervised while eating shall be prioritized to use the space available.
COVID-19 positive residents and any residents who are in 14 day observation/isolation unit due to recent admit or pending test results must be excluded from communal dining at this time.
Residents shall be assigned to dine with the same 1 to 2 people. Visitors are not allowed in the dining room.
The staff and administration at Montgomery County Nursing Home and Assisted Living are working diligently to meet all requirements as dictated by the ADH’s directive. Both facilities will be reopened for visitation as soon as all requirements are met.
A full list of requirements are available at mcnews.online.
Safety first as nursing home works toward the return of visitation
