Policies

Country Comfort Care
Assisted Living Facility

Visitation Policy

Policy: The Facility allows residents to receive in-person visitation while living at the Facility pursuant to Section 408.823, Florida Statutes; also known as the “No Patient Left Alone Act.”

PURPOSE: This policy should be inclusive of all visitors, residents, and facility staff with guidance for in-person visitation. It applies to all communicable diseases, both currently identified and those that may emerge in the future.

PROCEDURES:

• This Visitation Policy and Procedure will be posted to the Facility’s website.

• The Facility’s Administrator is responsible for ensuring staff adhere to the Visitation Policy and Procedures.

• Safety related policies and procedures will not be more stringent than those established for staff of the Facility.

• Visitors are not required to be screened, tested or vaccinated as a condition of visitation, nor show proof of vaccination or immunization status as a condition of visitation.

• This Facility allows consensual physical contact between a resident and his/her visitor.

• The Facility recognizes the resident may designate a visitor who is a family member, friend, guardian, or other individual as an essential caregiver. The Facility will allow in-person visitation by the essential caregiver for at least 2 hours daily in addition to any other authorized visitation. The Facility will not require an essential caregiver to provide necessary care to a resident while visiting the resident. The designated essential caregiver will be documented in resident’s electronic medical record and updated upon request.

• Residents are allowed in-person visitation in all the following circumstances, unless the resident objects:
• End-of-life situations.
• The resident 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 is making one or more major medical decisions.
• The resident is experiencing emotional distress or grieving the loss of a friend or family member who recently died.
• The resident needs cueing or encouragement to eat or drink which was previously provided by a family member or caregiver.
• The resident who used to talk and interact with others is seldom speaking.

• Visitors are welcome to visit at any time. General visiting hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. After general visiting hours, visitors must coordinate with Facility staff for access. There is no limitation on the visitation length.

• There is no limit on the number of visitors per resident. However, the Facility may limit the total number of visitors allowed in the facility at any given time based on the ability of staff to safely monitor the space used to accommodate visitors and based on adherence to the infection control protocols.

• The Facility will adhere to its infection control policy and procedures for the safety of all residents and staff. Visits are to be conducted in a manner that is consistent with infection control and prevention. Visitors who have a positive viral test for a communicable disease, symptoms of a communicable disease, or currently meet the criteria for quarantine should not enter the Facility.

• Visitors will be provided education on communicable disease signs and symptoms and the Facility’s infection control precautions.

• This policy does not prohibit visits if the resident to be visited is quarantined, tested positive for a communicable disease, or showing symptoms of a communicable disease. Visitors will be made aware of the potential risk of visiting and the precautions necessary in order to visit the resident. Visits in these circumstances will require a higher level of Personal Protective Equipment (“PPE”) than standard masks. PPE will be provided to the visitor and will be in accordance with the most recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance for healthcare workers.

• The Facility will not require visitors to agree in writing to follow the visitation policies and procedures. However, if the visitor has violated the policies and procedures, Facility may suspend in-person visitation for the specific individual.

Infection Control:
• Personal protective equipment (PPE) will be provided as recommended by Centers for Disease Control, state, and local guidance. PPE may include but is not limited to masks, gowns, gloves, face shields, and shoe covers. Community associates will provide directions and education on the proper use of PPE.

• This section does not require an essential caregiver to provide necessary care to a resident, client, or patient of a provider, and providers may not require an essential caregiver to provide such care.