Visitor Information and Changes Associated with COVID-19 

Our Visitation Policy

Effective 08/08/2017
Sr. Diane M. Mack—ADMINISTRATOR
Glenda Kiernan—DIRECTOR OF NURSING

Lourdes Noreen McKeen has written policies and procedures regarding the visitation rights of residents, including those setting forth any clinically necessary or reasonable restriction or limitation or safety restriction or limitation, when such limitations may apply, consistent with applicable Federal, State and local regulations & guidelines, that the facility may need to place on such rights and the reasons for the clinical or safety restriction or limitation.

Core Principles to Reduce the Risk of Covid-19 Transmission

Procedure—

The Lourdes Noreen McKeen visitation procedure is as follows:

1. Each resident has a right to receive visitors of his or her choosing at the time of his or her choosing, subject to the resident’s right to deny visitation when applicable and each resident(or resident representative, where appropriate) will be informed of his or her visitation rights and related facility policy and procedures (such as signing in and out at the front entrance), including any clinical or safety restriction or limitation on such rights, the reasons for the restriction or limitation, and to whom the restrictions apply, when he or she is informed of his or her other Resident Rights.
2. Each resident (or resident representative, where appropriate) will be informed of the right, subject to his or her consent, to receive the visitors whom he or she designates, including, but not limited to, a spouse (including a same-sex spouse), a domestic partner (including a same-sex domestic partner), another family member, or a friend, and his or her right to withdraw or deny such consent at any time.
3. Each resident (or resident representative, where appropriate) will be informed that the facility may not restrict, limit, or otherwise deny visitation privileges on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, or disability.
4. The facility ensures that all visitors enjoy full and equal visitation privileges consistent with resident preferences, including consensual physical contact.
5. Immediate family or other relatives are not subject to visiting hour limitations or other restrictions not imposed by the resident and must be allowed immediate access to a resident. There is no restriction on the length of visits, however visitors should be aware of the residents’ care needs and physical condition. While 24-hour access is allowed, visiting in the early morning hours and late-night visiting is not encouraged. Likewise, facilities must provide (immediate) 24-hour access to other non-relative visitors who are visiting with the consent of the resident. The resident retains the right to deny or withdraw consent at any time.  These other visitors are subject to “reasonable clinical and safety restrictions”.
6. “Reasonable restrictions” are imposed to protect the safety and security of all residents and are not limited to the following:
   1. The facility doors shall remain locked between the hours of 9:00 pm to 6:00 a.m. In addition, doors that do not provide direct access to a reception area such as the employee entrance, delivery access and so forth are locked at all times.  The facility maintains a system for visitor access during these hours.  Visitors are asked to notify the nursing supervisor if you will be visiting after hours. The Nursing Supervisor will alert Security to allow access. Visitor will still need to present photo ID and receive a Visitor’s Pass prior to going to the unit. The pass must be worn where it can be seen, at all times.
   2. The facility will review any incident or circumstances that may require denying access or providing limited and supervised access to a visitor if that individual has been found to be abusing, exploiting, or coercing a resident, as well as denying access to a visitor who has been found to have been committing criminal acts such as theft. These cases will be reviewed and determined on an individual basis and the Ombudsman will be made aware of the visitation limitations.
   3. The facility retains its right to deny access to visitors who are inebriated and/or disruptive. Security will be immediately called and if the visitor refuses to leave the premises 911 will be called for support.
   4. A visitor exhibiting signs or symptoms of an infection or communicable disease will be asked to defer visitation until signs and symptoms have resolved or they have been determined to be non-communicable by their physician.
   5. In some instances, such as the end of life, a visitor who exhibits signs or symptoms of a communicable disease will be asked to follow proper respiratory hygiene/cough and hand washing etiquette during the visit.
   6. A resident who is immunocompromised and at increased risk of infection should be consulted as to their preference for visitors.
   7. Visitors cannot be compelled to provide proof of vaccination or immunization status.
7. The facility may change the location of visits to assist care giving or protect the privacy of other residents, if these visitation rights infringe upon the rights of other residents in the facility. For example, a resident’s family visits in the late evening, which prevents the resident’s roommate from sleeping. While there is no limit in the number of visitors, large groups will be asked to visit in the common areas. Arrangements can be made to use these rooms through Social Services, Director of Activities or a Nursing Supervisor.
8. The facility will provide immediate access to any representative of the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, the State, the resident’s individual physician, the State long term care ombudsman, or the agencies responsible for the protection and advocacy of individuals with developmental disabilities or mental illness and the resident representative.
9. The facility cannot refuse to permit residents to talk with surveyors. Representatives of the Department of Health and Human Services, the State, the State long term care ombudsman system, and protection and advocacy agencies for individuals with developmental disabilities or mental illness are not subject to visiting hour limitations.
10. An individual or representative of an agency that provides health, social, legal, or other services to the resident, has the right of “reasonable access” to the resident. Reasonable access means that the facility may establish guidelines regarding the circumstances of the visit, such as location.
11. In the event of an outbreak requiring contact isolation and/or use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) during visitation, Visual Alerts will be posted at the entrance and in strategic places to include instructions about current Infection
12. Prevention Control recommendations. Visits will be allowed. The facility will offer testing of visitors; however this is not mandated.  Visitors are not required to be tested or vaccinated or show proof of such as a condition for visitation.
    1. The Director of Nursing (DON) and Infection Control Preventionist (ICP) are responsible for assuring adherence to all Infection Control Policies and Procedures.
    2. Please see separate Infection Control COVID 19 Visitation policy attached.
13. In keeping with Florida Statutes Section 823, the following regarding in person visitation shall apply:
    1. A resident, client or patient may designate a visitor who is a family member, friend, guardian or other individual as an essential caregiver. The provider must allow in-person visitation by the essential caregiver for at least 2 hours daily in addition to any other visitation authorized by the provider.  This section does not require an essential caregiver for at least 2 hours daily in addition to any other visitation authorized by the provider.  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. 
    2. The visitation policies and procedures required by this section must allow in-person visitation in all of the following circumstances, unless the resident, client or patient objects:
       1. End-of-life situations.
       2. A resident, client or patient 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, client or patient is making one or more major medical decisions.

1. A resident, client or patient is experiencing emotional distress or grieving the loss of a friend or family member who recently died.
2. A resident, client or patient needs cueing or encouragement to eat or drink which was previously provided by a family member or caregiver.
3. A resident, client or patient who used to talk and interact with others is seldom speaking.

1. A copy of the Visitation Policy and Procedures as well as COVID-19 Policy and Procedures will be included in the admission packet.

HTTPS://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Provider-Enrollment-and-Certification/GuidanceforLawsAndRegulations/Downloads/Advance-appendix PP-Including-Phase-2-.pdf. Retrieved 7/26/2017

F 560 483.10(f)(4)(i)

F563 483.10(f)(4)(ii)-(v)

F564 483.10(f)(4)(vi)

Visitation

• Visits do not have to be scheduled
• Children and pets can now visit
• There is no time limit on length of visit
• General visiting hours are 7:00am to 8:00 pm, 7 days a week
• Visitation will be temporarily suspended on any specific care unit that has a positive CoVid-19 case identified. This does not include compassionate care visitors.
• Facility updates will be sent via email
• Resident activities will be resuming with the Activities Department and staff. Notices will be posted and announced as we work through this process.