Thanksgiving Visitation Guidance

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Dear Patients, Residents, and Families:

As we look towards the holidays, the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) and CDC have recommended that patients avoid leaving the center for holiday celebrations. VDH cautions that gatherings present a potential risk of exposure to COVID-19, and the risk for persons living in long-term care centers is not only for their own health but also places the health of other patients at risk if they introduce the virus back into the Center. The CDC recommends that patients who are immunocompromised, have symptoms of COVID-19, are awaiting COVID-19 test results, or have potentially been exposed to the virus are at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19 and should avoid holiday gatherings.

As recommended, we are looking for ways for patients to safely celebrate Thanksgiving with loved ones without leaving the center. We are pleased to offer indoor visitation over the course of 3 days from November 23-25, 2020 in an effort to accommodate a visit for all patients who meet the criteria outlined below. We will be offering dessert and a beverage during each indoor Thanksgiving visit.

With the overarching goal of protecting nursing home patients from COVID-19, CMS has provided guidance for the safely conducting an indoor visit. In keeping with this guidance, the following sections highlight key aspects of the Center’s indoor visitation plan:

The following conditions must be met for indoor Thanksgiving visitation to occur:

  • The Center has no new onset of COVID-19 cases in the last 14 days and the Center is not currently in an outbreak
  • Patients must not be on transmission-based precautions either related to their health condition, potential exposure, or because their COVID-19 status is unknown;
  • The community in which the Center is located or the surrounding communities have low or medium COVID-19 positivity rates as defined by the Virginia Department of Health.

Virtual visits are offered for patients who are symptomatic, are on transmission-based precautions, or have tested positive for COVID-19.

Scheduling:

  • All visitation must be scheduled in advance. Scheduling is on a first come, first served basis by contacting Activities Department at 703-956-1161.
  • Visits will be scheduled for 30 minutes in duration, from November 23-25, between the hours of 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm and 6:00 – 7:00 pm. These days and times will allow for the maximum amount of staff support to perform required essential functions such as cleaning between visits and processing test results.
  • The number of visitors per patient at one time and the total number of visitors in the Center at one time must be limited. Each patient is allowed two visitors per visit. Visitors must be age 18 or older.
  • Visits will be conducted in dining room, which will safely accommodate 3 visits at one time with visual reminders for social distancing.

Visitor Screening and Testing:

  • COVID-19 testing is a Center requirement for any visitor. In order to expedite the screening process, we recommend that visitors be tested by their physician or another outside source no more than 3 days prior to the scheduled visit. A copy of the test results must be provided to the Center at the time of the visit or the visitor will need to be tested by the Center prior to the visit.
  • Visitors are asked to arrive 15-20 minutes in advance of their scheduled visit to allow time for screening and testing, if required. Visitors who arrive late may have their visit shortened to prevent delaying other scheduled visits.
  • Visitors should drive to the front door for screening to include temperature check and screening questions.
  • Any visitor who needs to be tested will be tested inside their vehicle and asked to wait in the vehicle until the test results are received, which is typically within 15-20 minutes. Any visitor who tests positive will not be able to visit for 14 days from the date of the positive test result or until medically cleared.

Core Principles of COVID-19 Infection Prevention:

Visitors must adhere to the following core principles as outlined by CMS:

  • Screening for signs and symptoms of COVID-19. Any visitor who is experiencing signs or symptoms will not be allowed entry into the Center.
  • Hand hygiene
  • Face mask must be worn at all times
  • Social distancing of a minimum of 6 feet must be maintained at all times
  • Receive education on COVID-19 signs and symptoms, infection control precautions, and other applicable Center practices during each visit

Visitors who fail to adhere to these core principles will not be permitted to visit and will be asked to leave.

The safety of all patients is the responsibility of the Center. Staff members are required to monitor visitation to ensure the core principles listed above are observed at all times while offering as much privacy to visitors as is practicable. By following these precautions, we are confident that we can safely facilitate visitation at the Center. Should the Center have a positive COVID-19 case, virtual and outdoor visitation will continue to offer per the usual procedure and weather permitting.

Our plan includes opening indoor visitation using a conservative approach with the goal of expanding visitation in a controlled and measured way. We appreciate your patience, understanding and cooperation as we take this first step in reintroducing indoor visitation in a safe and sustainable manner. Please feel free to contact me should you have any questions.

Sincerely,

Leslie Ruffner, LNHA
Administrator