Virtual and In-Person Visitation

Long-term care facilities face challenges in navigating visitation policies amidst changing guidelines. Develop comprehensive policies, utilize online platforms, and ensure infection control measures for both virtual and in-person visits.

• Visitation policies
• Long-term care
• Online platforms
• Infection control
• Caregivers

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Uploaded on Feb 15, 2025 | 0 Views

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1. Virtual and In-Person Visitation

2. Background to Long Term Care Visitation March 13, 2020 CMS issues QS0-20-14-NH outlining visitation restrictions for skilled nursing facilities June 12 Governor Lee issues EO 49 restricting long term care visitation September 17 CMS issues QSO-20-39-NH Memo which now regulates all nursing home visitation practice and allows for some Indoor visits September 17 Tennessee issues Visitation, Dining, and Activities Guidance and Revised Executive Order Feb. 28, 2021 Tennessee will no longer have any state specific guidance for long term care facilities; CMS certified facilities continue to follow QSO-20-39-NH and state licensed facilities (assisted living, residential homes for the aged, and non- CMS facilities) may use QSO-20-39-NH as best practice when developing visitation policies and procedures. March 10, 2021 CMS updated guidelines regarding visitation and long-term care facilities.

3. Communication Important note: One size does not fit all . Visitation Platforms Pandemic Specific Policy & Procedure Operations

4. Visitation Facility Policy and Procedures Develop a policy and procedure document to outline scheduling, requirements, and appropriate utilization of online platforms and in person visits Share these policies with residents and families; Example 1: Post these on your community website or forum Example 2: Hold a virtual community townhall to update residents and caregivers

5. Facility Operations Consider online scheduling options Doodle Polls Sign-up genius Google Forms/Calendar Consider designating one staff person to schedule all meetings and send reminders to families/residents Doing in-person visitation? Designate a place for visitation and a cleaning schedule in between visits Consider infection control training for visitors Encourage hand hygiene Provide infection prevention materials Resources Civil Monetary Penalty Visitation Aide (See slide 10)

6. Facility Operations Additional Considerations for virtual or in-person visitation Visitation times, off hours and weeks for working caregivers Facility set-up for on site vists Infection Control policy for devices Number of and types of electronic devices available Are there outside spaces available for visitation?

7. Communication Process of providing information to families and residents regarding the options for visitation Keeping families informed when outbreaks or community spread require a pause in the visitation protocols Advising families of changes in scheduling and/or visit types dictated by increase in positivity in the community

8. Communication For facilities and caregivers trying to connect, make the communication platforms you use for connection both preferred and non-preferred. Alternative Visitation / Socialization / Communication Troubleshoot visual and/or hearing impaired: Assess if a resident has significant audible or visual impairments requiring modifications prior to their visit. Hearing impaired: use white boards, Assistive Hearing devices or provide 1-on-1 Communicators. Visually impaired residents: consider options for virtual visits on devices with larger screens. Window Visits Technology Phone FaceTime Social Media Text Messaging Zoom / Skype / Google Meets

9. Resources

10. COVID-19 Communication Technology Application Maximum use of $3,000 per facility with exceptions allowable on a case-by-case basis (e.g., for facilities with a large number of residents). Devices will support telehealth as well as virtual social visits 78% of nursing homes across the state have been approved for funding Tennessee Department of Health has offered grants to equip facilities with technology to best meet residents and their caregiver s needs to connect via telecommunication.

11. COVID-19 In-Person Visitation Aids Application Directly address the need to facilitate in-person visits for residents. Maximum use of $3,000 per facility Examples of allowable uses of CMP Funds for in-person visitation aids: tents or other shelter for outdoor visitation (purchase and/or rental); and/or clear dividers (e.g., Plexiglas or similar product) to create a physical barrier to reduce the risk of transmission during in-person visits.

12. To Apply for COVID-19 Communication Technology and In-Person Visitation Aids Grants Shaquallah Shanks Director, TN Civil Monetary Penalty Reinvestment Program Shaquallah.Shanks@tn.gov 615-741-6823 Kristyn Long Assistant Director, TN Civil Monetary Penalty Reinvestment Program Kristyn.Long@tn.gov 615-770-6805

13. Additional Resources Alberta Health Connecticut Visitation Practices Michigan Visitation Practices Covid-19 Communication Fact Sheet CMS Guidance on Visitation Virtual Visitation How To s