9/17/2020 - Expansion of Reopening Visitation for Long Term Care Facilities
Visitation Guidelines - Phase I Reopening
Return to Work Criteria for Health Care Providers
COVID-19 Response for ALFs from HHSC
You've got COVID-19... Now what?
Download TORCH COVID-19 Resources Here
View DSHS Resources Here
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
Preparation Checklist for Assisted Living Communities
The Public Health Emergency site of the US Department of Health and Human Services has provided a Preparation Checklist for Healthcare Organizations, including Assisted Living Communities.
Get the checklist here!
HHSC Provider Information Page regarding COVID-19
Latest available information from HHSC
PSA for the Families of your Residents
The CDC and Health and Human Services have issued guidelines for Long Term Care facilities due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. This virus is particularly deadly for the elderly in long term care facilities. They are recommending that we email families advising them to consider postponing or use alternate methods for visitation (eg., video conferencing) during the next several months.
Get an editable copy of a
Family Notification Document here!
Visitor Questionnaire
Caring for and protecting your residents is your number one priority. Controlling your risk of infectious disease in your facility is paramount.
Get an editable copy of a
Facility Visitor Screening Questionnaire here!
Know the facts: 1
The Novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 also known as COVID-19 was first identified in Wuhan, China. It is classified as a severe acute respiratory syndrome that has since spread globally with confirmed cases in various states of the US. To prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Long Term Care settings, the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) recommends similar strategies as are used to detect and prevent the spread of other respiratory viruses such as influenza (flu).
Current COVID-19 Cases in Texas
For up to date news on cases in the U.S. visit the CDC website below:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/cases-in-us.html
1https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/summary.html
How it spreads: 2
Person-to-person spread
The virus is thought to spread mainly from person to person, such as when people are in close contact with one another (within a range of about 6 feet) and through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. These droplets can land on or be breathed in by people nearby.
Spread from contact with infected surfaces
CDC states it may be possible to obtain COVID-19 virus from touching a surface or object contaminated by an infected person and then touching your own mouth, nose or eyes.
2 https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/transmission.html
Symptoms of respiratory infections including COVID-19: 3
The following symptoms are associated with respiratory infections, including COVID-19:
- Fever
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
People are thought to be most contagious when exhibiting active symptoms. It is possible the virus may spread prior to showing symptoms. Please note that symptoms may occur 2-14 days after exposure.
Be aware of recent travels to areas with confirmed cases and/or recent contact with an infected person.
3 https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/symptoms.html
ADDITIONAL RESOURCE LINKS
Ready to print public awareness materials are available on the TxDSHS and CDC websites.
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/images/infographic-symptoms.jpg
https://dshs.texas.gov/coronavirus/docs/CoronavirusAlert-English.pdf
https://dshs.texas.gov/coronavirus/docs/StopSpreadofGerms-English.pdf
CDC example signs for use outside resident room doors for Contact Precautions, Droplet Precautions, and Airborne Precautions
https://www.cdc.gov/infectioncontrol/basics/transmission-based-precautions.html
Other Resources:
Texas Department of State Health Services - Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19)
https://dshs.texas.gov/coronavirus/
Texas HHSC Emergency Preparedness Rules & Regulations for Licensed Assisted Living Facilities
https://texreg.sos.state.tx.us/public/readtac$ext.TacPage?sl=R&app=9&p_dir=&p_rloc=&p_tloc=&p_ploc=&pg=1&p_tac=&ti=26&pt=1&ch=553&rl=44
COVID-19 Healthcare Planning Checklist
https://www.phe.gov/Preparedness/COVID19/Documents/COVID-19%20Healthcare%20Planning%20Checklist.pdf
CDC guidance on implementing recommended infection prevention practices:
FREE online course - The Nursing Home Infection Preventionist Training: https://www.cdc.gov/longtermcare/training.html
World Health Organization Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak:
https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
Health Care Coalitions across the US for emergency disaster response:
https://www.phe.gov/Preparedness/planning/hpp/Pages/find-hc-coalition.aspx
Health Care Coalitions in Texas -- Find Your Contact Here
HPP Awardee: Texas Department of State Health Services, Keri Cain