Today, in his
daily COVID-19 update, Governor Hogan shared specific recommendations from the Maryland Department of Health (MDH) relative to long-term care:
Restrict access to visitors.
Make online methods of face-to face communication and phone calls available.
Facility staff should be restricted from international travel and should be monitored if they have traveled out of the country in the last 14 days.
Staff should be monitored if they have been in contact with someone who is under investigation for COVID-19
Staff should be monitored if they are showing any signs of respiratory infection such as fever, cough or sore throat.
Any staff member who has these signs or symptoms should not go to work. Any staff that develop these signs or symptoms on the job should immediately stop working, put on a face mask, and self-isolate at home.
Staff who develop these signs and symptoms should inform the infection preventionist and contact their local health department for next steps.
Nursing homes should increase availability of alcohol-based hand sanitizers, tissues, no-touch receptacles for disposal, and face masks at entrances, waiting rooms, and resident check-ins.
Signage should be increased for vigilant infection prevention.
Properly clean, disinfect, and limit sharing of medical equipment between residents and areas of the facility.
Please see the guidance from AHCA/NCAL for additional details regarding:
These recommendations go beyond the CMS guidance issued on March 4th in QSO 20-14-Nursing Homes but are consistent with the guidance and regulations that we should restrict persons entering the building who pose a health risk to the residents.
Last week, AMDA released GUIDANCEon COVID-19 in Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Settings. We urge members to view this guidance and continue to implement and assess your infection control procedures.
HFAM continues to monitor the COVID-19 situation with our state and national partners and will keep members informed. Additional information for healthcare professionals can be found on the CDC and on theMDHwebsites.