Valley Community Services

ICF Implementation Plan for Reopening

Valley Community Services (VCS) operates six ICF/IDs in Butler, Westmoreland, and Somerset Counties.  The following is a summary of those homes.  There have not been any positive cases of Covid-19 in our ICFs.  VCS’ ICF Implementation plan for Reopening will be posted on the company’s website at www.valleycommunityservices.org

Harrisville ICF/ID (HV) is in northern Butler County. Address is 430 West Mercer Street, Harrisville, PA 16038. This is a one-story, Type V (000), unprotected wood frame building, with a basement and attached garage that is fully sprinklered.  HV currently is at full capacity with four individuals living there.  Bedrooms are shared with two individuals in each room.  The programmatic operation of HV includes active treatment individualized for each of the four men that live there.  Training plans have been introduced to address these individuals’ fear of seeing people wear masks and wearing them themselves.  Several of the men have been using face-time to visit with their family/friends.  This also includes out-side day program staff that one of the men asks to speak with.

VCS’ ICFs (WS) is in Butler County. Address is 640 Halston Road, West Sunbury, PA 16061. This is a one-story, Type V (000), unprotected wood construction building, with a basement and attached garage that is fully sprinklered.  Garage is separated and sprinklered. WS has a total of five beds.  There is currently an open bed.  There are three bedrooms, two of which are shared with two beds in each room.  One individual has her own bedroom.  This home’s four women are provided active treatment services individualized to each ones’ needs.  Several of the women in this home has showed an interest in preparing bake goods/ meals.  During this pandemic, time was available to provide training plans in this area.  Training plans were also developed to help these ladies understand the importance of wearing masks and universal precautions during this time.  The ladies miss their day program, which they have attended for many years.  Face time visitations with family and friends continue to be an aid in communicating with those loved ones.  Residential services will continue to be provided during the opening phase of VCS’ ICFs.

Bakersville ICF/ID (BK) is in Somerset County.  Address is 215 White Oak Road, Somerset, PA 15501.  This is a one-story, Type V (000), unprotected wood frame building, with a basement that is fully sprinklered.  BK has eight beds.  The home currently has one open bed.  Bedrooms are shared with two individuals in each bedroom.  The programmatic operation at BK is extremely busy.  Each DSP shift is full of treatment of everyone’s needs.  What typically is a very busy house, has been shut down during this pandemic.  To replace day program active treatment; training plans have been provided for each residents’ vocational needs.  Med appointment continue to occur as needed.

Mt. Pleasant ICF/ID (MP) is in Westmoreland County. Address is 366 East Main Street, Mt Pleasant, PA 15666. This is a one-story with basement, Type V (000), unprotected wood frame construction building that is fully sprinklered.   Mt. Pleasant is at full capacity with six individuals that live there.  Bedrooms are shared with two individuals in each bedroom.  The six ladies at MP get along extremely well.  The ladies enjoy participating in the programmatic plans during the day.  Staff assist when needed in ADLs and encourage the fostering independence. The ladies, who were very active in the community prior to this pandemic, have been replacing this time with craft making, and van rides into the country.  Family/friends continue to be involved in these ladies lives through face time and phone calls.

Ruffs Dale ICF/ID (RD) is in Westmoreland County.  Address is 127 Waltz Mill Road, Ruffs Dale, PA 15102.  This is a one-story, Type V (000), unprotected wood frame building, with a basement that is fully sprinklered.  This home has 6 individuals that live there.  The home is at currently at full capacity.  Bedrooms are shared with two individuals in each bedroom.  The six men that live at RD have been provided with a continuous active treatment plan.  Vocational goals have been set for everyone to participate in during the day.  Cabin fever is often an issue with some of the men at RD.  Some individuals are taken on daily van rides into the community and provided with an array of activities that are frequently changed.  The programmatic operation has been shifted during this pandemic for RD.  Focus has been directed to individualized activities/goal plans and adherence to goals set in behavior plans.  These men have been used to being active and are all tired of being confined to their home all together.  Training plans have been developed to address the issues of importance during this pandemic.  Family/friends are contacted via face time and phone calls.

Belle Vernon ICF/ID (BV) is in Westmoreland County.  Address is 104 Caring Lane Belle Vernon, PA 15102.  This is a one-story, Type V (000), unprotected wood frame building, with a basement, that is fully sprinklered.  BV has eight beds.  Currently there is one open bed.  Bedrooms are shared with two individuals in each bedroom.  The eight men that live at BV all have different functioning levels.  The programmatic operation of BV can be ranged from sensory-motor skills to cooking skills.  Vocational training plans have been provided for everyone to participate in during the day.  Active treatment at BV mainly consist of training in the basic of ADLs.  DSPs also engage the men in an array of activities of their choices.  BV has an active med appointment schedule.  Additional staff must be provided at times during these med appointments.  After med appointments, the resident typically is taken to the drive-thru for lunch. During holidays, the men participate in decorating their home and often have parties with the staff to celebrate.   Family/friend contact is provided through face time and phone calls.

DATE AND STEP OF REOPENING:

Valley Community Services will be entering the re-opening process at step 2 at all Intermediate Care Facilities.  The date that all facilities will enter the Re-opening process will be:  10/12/2020.

Step Two of Reopening:

VCS’ ICFs have met all the prerequisites including the baseline universal test for COVID-19 administered to staff and residents and have the absence of any new facility onset of COVID-19 cases for at least 14 consecutive days since baseline COVID-19 testing.

* Two of VCS’ ICFs recently received their fundamental surveys by the Department of Health. WS and MP was surveyed by the DOH on September 14-16th.  There were no deficiencies.

STRATEGY FOR TESTING, COHORTING, PESONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT AND STAFFING

  • Date range for the baseline universal test administered to staff and residents (between May 24, 2020 and July 24, 2020).

       7/20/20 to 8/12/20

  • Describe the capacity to administer Covid-19 diagnostic test to all residents and staff if the facility experiences an outbreak.

All residents are monitored twice daily with temperature checks and for any significant changes. Licensed nurses are available in all facilities to perform a nasopharyngeal swab test on all individuals within 24 hours when indicated.  All facilities have a supply of nasopharyngeal swabs available to test all individuals at least two times if outbreak occurs.  Additional supplies of nasopharyngeal swabs will be provided when requested by the contracted labs if continued testing is needed until outbreak is resolved.

WS and HV have a current relationship with Pixil by Lab Corps.  BK, MP, RD, and BV currently have a relationship with Excela Health Westmoreland Hospital and Innovative Wellness.  These facilities aid our homes in performing COVID-19 testing on demand.  A supply capacity of nasopharyngeal swabs is on hand to perform 2 separate testings on all residents and staff.  Labs will continue to send supplies to complete repeat testing until outbreak is resolved.

  • Describe the capacity to administer Covid-19 diagnostic test to all staff, including asymptomatic staff.

Valley Community Services has relationships with different lab providers to perform on demand testing according to facility locations.   Lab providers include Pixil  by Labs Corp (Harrisville and West Sunbury Locations), Excela Health Westmoreland and Innovative Wellness for (Belle Vernon, Mt. Pleasant, Ruffs Dale). Somerset hospital and Innovative Wellness for the Bakersville facility.  Licensed nurses are available in each ICF to perform nasopharyngeal swabs within 24 hours of indication to all staff including asymptomatic staff.  All facilities have a supply of nasopharyngeal swabs to perform 2 separate tests on all staff, including asymptomatic staff.  Additional swabs will be provided by the labs if further testing is indicated until outbreak is resolved.

  • Describe the procedure for addressing needed testing of non-essential staff and volunteers.

Non-essential staff and volunteers who have significant contact with staff and residents will follow the same procedure as resident or staff testing.  All non-essential staff testing will be provided by existing agency lab relationships.  Currently there are no volunteers in our facilities but if in the future there are, they will be instructed to seek diagnostic testing through their own personal physician or testing clinics prior to being allowed to enter the facilities.

  • Describe the procedure for addressing residents or staff that decline or are unable to be tested.

All residents have the right to refuse testing.  If a resident refuses, the resident will be provided with additional education on the benefits of testing.  If resident continues to refuse, resident will be placed in quarantine for 14-days, with staff wearing the appropriate PPE for that level of exposure.

Staff that decline to be tested will be unable to meet the requirements of the position and therefore unable to continue employment.

  • Describe the plan to cohort or isolate residents diagnosed with COVID-19.

The current facility structure of all ICF’s are as follows:   Ranch style homes all with shared bedrooms, except for the West Sunbury location that has one unshared bedroom. There are no additional unused bedrooms or locations cohorting or for isolation available.  All homes only have a living room, dining room and kitchen with 2 bathrooms in floor plan.   The ability to establish Green, Yellow and Red zones is not possible due to facility structure.   If a resident was diagnosed with COVID-19 or exhibiting symptoms, the roommate is presumed positive due to room sharing and therefore would remain cohorted with roommate.    The room would be designated as a ”red zone room”.  If a resident is in a single room and is positive and or exhibiting symptoms the resident will remain in the single room.  All isolation protocols wlll be followed.

  • Describe the current CASHE of person protective equipment (PPE) and the plan to ensure an adequate supply of PPE for staff (based on the type of care expected to be provided).

We use a burn calculator spreadsheet to monitor our in-house supplies.  This weekly inventory of personal protective equipment (PPE) is maintained by the Chief Medical Officer and is shared with the Purchasing coordinator and Pandemic team. Valley Community Services currently has a supply of PPE in inventory to adequately supply PPE to staff for a minimum of 2 weeks if an outbreak occurred in ALL facilities at one time and/or for 2 months if a single outbreak would occur.  PPE consists of N95 and surgical masks, gowns, gloves, sanitizer, face shields, goggles, sanitation/disinfecting supplies etc.  Currently the main supply of all PPE is inventoried at our main office location in Mt. Pleasant PA with additional inventory readily available for quick dispersion at our 2 satellite offices if needed.  In addition, each facility has their own supply of PPE that has been designated as COVID-19 supplies.  The Chief Health Services officer and the Purchasing Director review inventory and needs at a minimum weekly to ensure minimum supplies.  The procurement of PPE is a constant endeavor with the Purchasing Director and Chief Health services officer investigating new potential sources on an ongoing basis.  Should a major outbreak occur, and additional supplies needed the agency will enlist additional help to source material and reach out to surrounding organizations to ensure consistent PPE.

  • Describe the current staffing status and the plan to ensure no staffing shortages.

Routine staffing is set above minimum requirements for personal care.  Should a shortage of licensed nurses or resident care aides become imminent, we have several other facilities to pull staff from.

  • Describe the plan to halt all reopening facilities if the county in which the facility is located is reverted to a red phase of the Governor’s reopening plan.

VCS’ ICFs has established clear communication methods with staff, residents and family members using mail, website, and our on-call system.  Should the county revert to a Red Phase, all stakeholders would be notified in a timely manner using all available methods.  The re-opening plan would be halted and would revert back to the quarantine phase.

SCREENING PROTOCOLS

Residents:

VCS’ ICF residents are screened twice daily for signs and symptoms of Covid-19 and temperature checked during screening process.  If a resident is found to be exhibiting signs and symptoms of COVID-19 the physician will be notified immediately and the resident placed in isolation/quarantine and be tested.  Any other residents with possible exposure will be encouraged to isolate in their rooms for a minimum of 14 days and also receive testing.

Staff:

Staff are screened twice daily for signs and symptoms of Covid-19 via a daily questionnaire and temperature checks at designated facility entrance.  Any negative response on the screening will result in the staff leaving the facility immediately and reporting those results to the HR department.  The staff will not be permitted to return to the facility until clear by the Human Resource Department.

Healthcare personnel who are not staff:

Non-staff healthcare personnel are screened upon arrival and exit for signs and symptoms of Covid-19 via a daily questionnaire and temperature checks.  Anything negative on the screening will result in the visitor leaving the facility immediately and reporting those results to the HR department.  Those who exhibit symptoms consistent with the virus are turned away to seek medical treatment.

Non-essential personnel:

Non-essential personnel are included in the screening process via a questionnaire and temperature checks.  Any negative response in the screening process will result in the Non-essential personnel leaving the facility immediately and reporting results to the HR Department for further instructions.

Visitors:

Visitors will be screened upon arrival for signs and symptoms of COVID-19 via a daily questionnaire and temperature checks.  Any negative responses to the screening process will immediately result in the entry of the visitor being denied and the visitor asked to leave the facility.  Those who exhibit symptoms consistent with the virus are turned away to seek medical treatment/consultation.

Volunteers:

Currently, there are no volunteers.  When volunteers are once again permitted access, they will be screened upon arrival for signs and symptoms of COVID-19.  Any negative response in the screening process will result in the volunteer being denied entry into the facility and asked to leave immediately.  Those who exhibit symptoms consistent will be asked to seek medical treatment/consultation.  Volunteers will be trained in signs/symptoms of Covid-19 and the details of spread mitigation.  This will be completed by VCS nursing staff.

COMMUNAL DINING FOR RESIDENTS EXPOSED TO COVID-19

  • Describe communal dining meal schedule including suffered hours (if any).

Residents will eat separately no more than 3 at a time in all homes.  Social distancing will be adjusted due to the size of the dining room.  Meals will be attempted to be conclude in 30 minutes, therefore allowing for the next group to eat.

  • Describe arrangements of tables and chairs to allow for social distancing.

A table including 4 chairs will be reduced to 2, ensuring that 6 ft. Social distancing is maintained during entire mealtime.  Chairs will be placed at the end of each dining room table and one in the middle. 

  • Describe infection control measures, including use of PPE by staff.

All surface areas will be sanitized with a bleach solution or Clorox Wipes.  Staff are always required to wear masks and gloves.   All residents immediately prior to arriving at dining table must wash hands and use hand sanitizer.  Staff will wash hands and use hand sanitizer every time they switch to assisting a different resident.  Immediately upon the completion of the meal and the residents leaving the dining table the staff will clean all surface areas to disinfect with approved solution prior to the occupation of the table before the next mealtime and at the conclusion of mealtimes.

  • Describe any other aspects of communal dining during reopening.

None

ACTIVITIES AND OUTINGS

  • Describe activities planned for Step 1 (five or less residents unexposed to Covid-19)

No outside entertainment or group leaders permitted.  Activity personnel will engage 5 or less unexposed residents in a small group setting outside, weather permitting.  All residents and staff will engage in hand washing/hand sanitizing prior to starting group activity.  Social distancing will be maintained and monitored by staff, and Infection control measures will be in place to ensure sanitation of anything touched by multiple individuals.  Universal masking is required for all staff and residents.  VCS has a 2-month supply of all hand hygiene and disinfecting supplies with continuous procurement.

  • Describe activities planned for Step 2 (ten or less residents unexposed to Covid-19)

No outside entertainment or group leaders permitted.  Activity personnel will engage 10 or less residents.  This will be for physical, social and spiritual activities with social distancing. All residents and staff will engage in hand hygiene prior to starting group activity.  Social distancing will be maintained and monitored by staff, and infection control measures will be in place to ensure sanitation of any surface touched by an individual prior to another individual using.  Universal masking is required for all staff and residents.  VCS has a 2-month supply of all hand hygiene and disinfecting supplies with continuous procurement.  All items will be disinfected after each activity and prior to another resident using.

  • Describe activities planned for Step 3

Activities will resume as usual but limited to the residents in each individual home.  Suggested activities at this time may include Dance party, birthday party, Bingo, crafts, and baking.  Social distancing will be maintained and monitored by staff to ensure compliance. All staff and residents will engage in hand hygiene prior to starting group activity and staff will readily have available hand sanitizer for use.  Universal masking is required for all staff and residents.  All items used will be disinfected after each activity and prior to another resident using.  VCS has a 2-month supply of all hand hygiene and disinfecting supplies on hand with continuous procurement to maintain.

  • Describe outings planned for Step 3

Planned outings will consist of no more residents then we are able to safely physically distance during transport.  Most likely outings will consist of trips to banks for active treatment goals, shopping, take out restaurants and scenic trips.   Universal masking is required for all staff and residents.  Hand hygiene will be maintained with staff readily having hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes available.  The facility will disinfect the transportation vehicle before and after each time the individuals enter the vehicles.   VCS has a 2-month supply of all hand hygiene and disinfecting supplies on hand with a continuous procurement plan.

NON-ESSENTIAL PERSONNEL

  • Describe the limited number and types of non-essential personnel that have been determined necessary at Step 2.

One non-essential personnel at a time will be permitted.  Members of the Clergy, OT, PT, Speech, Dietary.

  • Describe how social distancing, hand hygiene, and universal masking will be ensured for non-essential personnel at steps 2 and 3.

Any resident exposed to Covid-19 are quarantined for 14 days.   Non-essential personnel will not be permitted in the isolation area.  Universal mask wearing and hand washing will be required.   Social distancing will be ensured by having the non-essential personnel working in the office in the basement.

  • Describe measures planned to ensure non-essential personnel do not come into contact with residents exposed to COVID-19.

Any resident exposed to Covid-19 are quarantined for 14 days.  We are using a yellow triangle on doors to designate an exposure zone.  Any resident exposed to Covid-19 are informed the Red and Yellow are no contact zones.  Staff and caregivers will be educated on the signs and symptoms of Covid-19 and asked to refrain from coming into the facility if they themselves show signs or symptoms.

VISITATION

Visitations have been designated for BK, MP, RD and BV at the McCarthy Center (MC).  MC is VCS’ day program in Mt. Pleasant, PA.  These four homes are within at 20-mile range. This is the day program for most of the residents in these homes and is not currently open.  Access is easily assessable by staff from the homes driving the individuals to the MC.   Keys have been provided for each home.  The MC has two restroom facilities and an open group area, along with individual rooms.  There is access through a door that leads directly into the open group area for residents, and a separate door entrance into the common area for family/friends.  Residents will be brought directly into the group area for visitation and family and friends will enter separate entrance for hallway access to the common area.  A floor to ceiling Plexi-glass barrier has been installed between the group area and the common area ensuring to contact.  All visitors will be screened according agency Policy.

WS will have visitations in the garage which at one time was used as a gathering area for cook outs and socializing area for residents of the home.  The area is heated and is separated from the common areas of the home.  There are two access points to the garage.  The resident accepting visitors will be entered first from the entrance closest to the home and will be placed in the designated area behind a plexi-glass divider that is hung from the ceiling to the floor.  Afterwards the family/ friends will be directed into the garage on the other side of the plexiglass from a second entrance. Screening protocol will be done by staff prior to family/friends entering the second entrance.  There will be seating designated for residents and for family/friends and will be clearly marked.  Staff will be present to ensure all social distancing and masking protocols are adhered to.

HV will have its visitation on their sunporch.  This is a separated living space outside of the common areas of the home.  The sunporch has two entry points one within the home and one entering from the back porch/backyard area that is handicapped accessible.  A plexi-glass area will be hung from the ceiling to the floor.   There will be designated seating area clearly marked to ensure social distancing.  Visitors will access area through back porch/backyard entrance but will be screened by staff prior to entering visitation area.  Residents will enter through the house entrance.  Residents will be directed to one side of the plexi-glass and family/friends to the opposite side.  Staff will monitor all visits to ensure that masking and social distancing is maintained.

All visitors will be informed of VCS’ screening process and requirements to adhere to during the visits.  All visitation will be monitored by staff to ensure social distancing and mask usage. Masks will be provided to visitors at the arrival for their visitation if visitors are unable to obtain. 

Visitations will occur after 28 days in the Green phase.

  • Describe the schedule of visitation hours and the length of each visit.

Visitations will be scheduled by the QIDP.  All visitations will be scheduled between the hours of 10am to 7pm. Visits will be scheduled in one-hour increments.  All scheduled visits will be recorded on the visitation calendar to help ensure the facility is not otherwise occupied.  The days of the week and hours may vary in accordance with the individuals/visitor’s availability.

  • Describe how scheduling visitors will occur.

The QIDP will contact the individuals’ family/guardians to inquire if they want to schedule a visit.  One-hour blocks of time will be offered, and a visit may be scheduled per availability of the requested time.  The visits will be limited to 2 guests per resident with one visit permitted in the morning and one visit permitted in the afternoon or evening per home. 

  • Describe how visitation area(s) will be sanitized between each visit. How will monitoring be applied.

DSPs accompanying the resident will be responsible for sanitizing the area after the visit.  Sanitizing supplies are available to include Sanitizing wipes and Sanitizing sprays.  There is a 2-month supply of all sanitizing products, with continuous procurement to maintain supplies.  Staff wearing proper PPE will be required to sanitize all services in the visitation area immediately after visitation has occurred. 

  • What is the allowable number of visitors per resident based on the capability to maintain social distancing and infection control?

Visitors will be limited to 2 guest per client.  There will only be one client and his/her guests at a given time.  There will also be 1 or 2 staff depending on the need of the client.  In the event of non-compliance on the part of the limited number of visitors at one time; the excess visitors will be asked to wait in their vehicles and reschedule another visit.

  • Describe the order in which scheduled visits will be prioritized.

QIDP will call each family to set up visitations, and whichever family responds first will be given an available time slot.  There will be consideration for clients who are celebrating birthdays or other special events.

  • Describe how the facility will determine those residents who can safely accept visitors at Step 2 (considering such safety factors as exposure to outdoor weather and transporting resident to visitor location)

The IDT has already performed an initial assessment on all individuals reviewing their current medical status and their ability to safely maintain masking, comply with current hand hygiene recommendations, maintain social distancing and how additional factors such as weather exposure and transportation would affect safe visitation.  In addition, before each visit the team will review current health status to ensure no acute illnesses have arisen or other changes have occurred that would affect visitation.  Residents who have a current health status change will not be able to accept visitors until cleared by their physician. Residents will be considered also for their ability to be transferred in the company van and exposure to outdoor weather as the season changes.  All factors will be considered prior to each visit and if determined unsafe visitation will not occur. At no time will any individual who is presently exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19, a PUI (person under investigation) or positive for COVID-19 be allowed visitation. 

  • Describe the outdoor visitation space for Step 2 to include the coverage for severe weather, the entrance, and the route to access the space.

In inclement weather the visitations will be rescheduled.  If inclement weather occurs the visit will be concluded.   Each of VSC’ ICF homes has a front porch area if needed.  All accesses to these porches are used as an exit to the parking lot.  These porches are covered in the case of inclement weather.   At the time of any inclement weather the visitors will be directed to return to their vehicle and residents will return to their home. VCS plans to reschedule visits is severe weather is forecasted.

  • Describe how a clearly defined six-foot distance will be maintained between the resident and the visitor during outdoor visits. How will monitoring apply to ensure that requirements apply.

Masking tape will be applied to the floor representing the 6-foot required distancing.  DSPs will be trained on maintain social distancing during visitations. DSPs will be trained to observe each visitation for compliance in the social distancing, mask wearing, and hand washing.  Each resident expecting a visitor will be assigned a DSP that will monitor compliance.  Visitors that are non-compliant will be verbally instructed by the attending DSP to return to their vehicle and the visitation concluded.  If non-compliance continues, the DSP attending will escort the resident to their home or vehicle to conclude the visit.  VCS staff will discuss requirement with visitors prior to their visit to prevent non-compliance.  This effort will hopefully avoid any conflict with non-compliance.

  • Describe the indoor visitation space that will be used in the event of excessively severe weather to include the entrance and the route to access the space.

In the event of excessively severe weather the visitation will be rescheduled.  All of VCS’ ICFs has a designated indoor area to use in the event of excessively severe weather.  BK, MP, RD, and BV will conduct visitation at the McCarthy Center.  HV and WS will conduct their visits in the attached garage and sunroom.  If excessively severe weather is forecasted the visitation will be rescheduled.  The entrances and exits from these locations are in direct access to the vehicles of transportation.  If excessively severe weather occurs during a visit; the visit will be concluded, and visitors directed to their vehicle and residents to their home/vehicle.

  • Describe how a clearly defined six-foot distance will be maintained between the resident and the visitor during indoor visits.

Area will be marked by duct tape on the floor on each side of the plexi-glass.  DSPs accompanying the resident on the visitation will monitor the social distancing by observing the distance maintained between the two parties.  The DSP will verbally correct any party out of compliance.  If needed, the DSP will stand next to the resident to ensure verbal cues for correction are heard and complied to.

  • Describe how the facility will determine those residents who can safely accept visitors at Step 3 (considering such safety factors as transporting resident to visitor location)

The IDT will convene before each visit to determine if the individual can safely accept visitors. Criteria will be determined by the resident’s current health status.  Residents who are currently at the time sick or awaiting results from testing will not be accepting visitors. Residents will be considered also for their ability to be transferred in the company van and exposure to outdoor weather.  Any resident that these factors may affect their safety will not be considered at that present time. Residents will be required to be Covid-19 free. 

  • Will outdoor visitation be utilized at Step 3.

The visitation center and designated home areas (WS and HV) will continue to be utilized during Step 3.  If family members request a visit outdoors; social distancing, mask wearing will be followed. 

  • Describe the outdoor visitation space for Step 3 to include the coverage for severe weather, the entrance, and the route to access the space ( if the same as Step 2, enter same)

Same

  • Describe how a clearly defined six-foot distance will be maintained between the resident and the visitor(s) during outdoor visits (if the same as Step 2 enter same).

Same

  • Describe the indoor visitation space that will be used to include the entrance and route to access the space (If the same as Step2, enter same).

Same

  • Describe how a clearly defined six-foot distance will be maintained between the resident and visitor(s) during indoor visits (if the same as Step 2 enter same).

Same

  • For those residents unable to be transported to the designated visitation areas, describe the infection control precautions that will be put in place to allow visitation in the resident’s room.

In room visitation at this time is not allowed due to the facility structure of the homes and that all bedrooms are shared.  In the event of a compassionate care visit an individual’s family/friend would be allowed in an room visit.  All precautions will be reviewed with visitor prior.   The compassionate visitor will be screened prior to entering the home and will be directly taken to the individuals’ room.  All additional housemates will be directed away from the entrance area when compassionate visitor enters, ensuring no contact.  During the visitation time period the shared bedroom roommate would be re-directed to another area during visit not sharing the space.  All visitor screening protocols would be followed.  In addition, a seated area will be designated for the visitor to occupy and they will be unable to freely move about the room.  After visitation the entire room will be immediately disinfected prior to allowing the shared roommate to occupy the space again. 

  • Description of process of halting the reopening if county reverts to red phase.

VCS’ ICFs will revert back to phase one in a case that the county reverts to a red phase.  All process will be halted, and visitations will be on hold.  All homes will continue the processes trained on to avert a Covid-19 infection.

VOLUNTEERS

  • Describe infection control precautions established for volunteers including measures planned to ensure volunteers do not come into contact with residents exposed to COVID-19.

Currently, we do not have volunteers.  If at any time in the future we do accept them, they will go through our screening process and be required to wear masks and practice universal precautions.  All volunteers will be coordinated through the QIDP before admission into the home.  If at any time VCS accepts any volunteers:  Adherences to VCS’ to policies, they will be removed from the visitation schedule. 

  • Describe the duties to be performed by volunteers during Step 2.

No volunteers are being permitted in step 2.  Volunteers may be allowed in step 3 and at that time be educated on the signs and symptoms of COVID-19 and how to prevent or mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

  • Non-compliance of volunteers/visitors.

All visitators/volunteers who fail to comply to testing and universal precautions will be directed to leave the facility immediately and reported to HR for inspection of future involvement in care of our individuals at VCS.  Compliance of testing and the requirements of precaution acting procedures will be strictly adhered to.

  • What is the site’s capacity for residential services, the facility’s design, the programmatic operation?

VSC’s ICF’s will continue to provide active treatment to all individuals in our homes.  A continuous support of dedicated DSPs will continue to be provided.  Full time staff will continue to support active treatment and health care services.  The following is a synapse of the programmatic operation of each of VCS’s ICFs home.

BK, MP, RD, and BV:  Each of these homes are provided daily active treatment and health care services.  This continue throughout this pandemic.  Each facility has the capacity to provide residential services to whom they serve.  These homes start their day with health care and active treatment surrounding life issues including medication administration and adult daily living skills.  Typically, their day would continue at the MC for vocational training.  Due to the current situation all vocational goals are being worked at home.  Medical appointments for the individuals continue to be provided by VCS with DSPs, Managers and Nurses.

HV and WS.  These two homes receive day programming outside the agency in Butler.  The QIDP has set goals to continue training during this pandemic.  Health care continues to be provided as well as active treatment. Medical appointments continue to be provided to each individual through the DSPs, Managers, and Nurses.

  • Description of process to halt reopening if county reverts to Red phase.

If in the event the county, of any VCS’ ICF homes, reverts to the Red phase; all reopening plans will be immediately be halted and all visitation will be stopped within that county’s home.  VCS will communicate these changes via present established electronic notification protocols, in addition to the company’s website. In addition the QIDP of each facility will notify the family/friends of each individual of that facility of the change in plans and facilitate alternative communication methods until such time as the county moves out of the Red phase thereby allowing the re-opening process to begin again as per guidelines.

Name of ICF/ID administrator:

I attest that the information provided in this Implementation Plan is an accurate representation of the facts and that this facility will adhere to the Implementation Plan as written.  I further attest that the count in which this facility is located is in a Yellow or Green phase as per the Governor’s reopening plan.  This Implementation Plan will be posted on our website or made available to all residents, families, advocates such as the Ombudsman and the Depart upon request.  This facility will progress to the next step of reopening only when the criteria is met as describe in the Interim Guidance for Skilled Nursing Facilities During COVID-19.  If at any point during reopening the facility fails to meet the criteria for reopening.  I will ensure the facility ceases reopening immediately.  Further, if at any point during reopening this facility is operating under a contingency staff plan, I will ensure the facility ceases reopening immediately.