Source control measures are utilized as part of the infection prevention and control measures during the COVID-19 pandemic.

1. Source control refers to the use of well-fitting face masks or respirators that cover the mouth and nose and prevents the spread of respiratory secretions when individuals are breathing, talking, sneezing, or coughing.
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2. Well-fitting facemasks are provided as a source control option for visitors and residents. ( Only If they want to use it) Masks or respirators with higher-level protection (that are not visibly soiled) may be used by people who choose that option.
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3. Source control options for staff include: ( only use when entering residents room with positive COVID)
a. a NIOSH-approved particulate respirator with N95 filters or higher;
b. a respirator approved under standards used in other countries that are similar to NIOSH-approved N95 filtering facepiece respirators (Note: These should not be used instead of a NIOSH-approved respirator when respiratory protection is indicated.) OR
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4. When used solely for source control, any of the options listed above may be used for an entire shift unless they become soiled, damaged, or hard to breathe through.
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5. If they are used during the care of a resident for which a NIOSH-approved respirator is indicated for personal protective equipment (PPE) (e.g., NIOSH-approved particulate respirators with N95 filters or higher during the care of a resident with SARS-CoV-2 infection or during care of a patient on droplet precautions), they will be removed and discarded after the resident care encounter and a new one will be donned.
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6. Staff and visitors will only be asked to wear NIOSH approved respirator and complete PPE if entering
resident's room with COVID positive.

The facility shall establish appropriate guidelines for visitors to try to prevent the transmission of communicable diseases. Screening for COVID-19 needs to be done before Visitors are allowed to enter the facility.

a. Standard Precautions;
b. Hand hygiene;
c. Respiratory hygiene;
d. Vaccinations; and
e. Signs and symptoms of common communicable diseases.
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2. Visitation during Transmission-Based Precautions is permitted. Family members and visitors who are providing care or have very close contact with the resident will be trained regarding the appropriate use of infection control barriers such as personal protective equipment.

3. The Administrator, in conjunction .with the Medical Director and Infection Preventionist, has the authority to restrict or ban facility visitation during outbreaks, whether these originate in the facility or in the community.

4. Visitors are discouraged at all times from visiting when they have potentially contagious infections (for example, upper respiratory infection (URI), COVID-19, influenza, gastroenteritis, or unexplained rashes).

5. Visitors who are symptomatic of communicable diseases may be denied visitation at the discretion of the Screener until appropriate evaluation and treatment of the visitor has been established.

6. The facility does not have an age restriction policy. However, visitors under the age of twelve (12) must be strictly supervised.

7. Visitors shall be encouraged to wash their hands or use hand sanitizer upon arrival and when leaving the facility, and passively instructed on proper cough etiquette/respiratory hygiene through signs posted throughout the facility.

8. Visitors must follow instructions from. the Charge Nurse on duty regarding facility infection control practices and visitation restrictions. (Visitors will be discouraged from moving around/throughout the facility)

9. Violations of these policies must be reported to the Administrator. The Administrator has the right to restrict or ban visitors as indicated.

10. Residents leaving the facility must be permitted if they wish with no restrictions, so long as a physician's order is in place to go out on pass. Upon return, resident should be assessed for any symptoms of COVID-19. (If resident shows any symptoms, resident should be isolated as needed)

11. Neither resident nor visitor are required to be vaccinated to have visitors. However, vaccines should be encouraged if it is available.
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12. Testing for COVID-19 is not a requirement to visit but is encouraged within 2-3 days of visitation.
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13. If a facility provides testing of visitors prior to entry, facility cannot pass the cost of testing on to the visitor. (If the facility conducts testing, it must be based on the current CDC and FDA guidance and results must be reported to DOH)

14. Visitors are allowed to have physical contact with resident during visitation as long as proper hand hygiene and infection control precautions are followed.

15. Facility will monitor the need for specific visitation hours (At present: DAILY from 9AM - 8PM, special consideration will be taken for out-of-town visitors)

16. Visitation during an outbreak. Visitors must still be allowed in the facility. Visitors will be made aware of the potential risk of visiting during an outbreak and adhere to the core principles of infection prevention. If residents or their representative would like to have a visit during an outbreak investigation, they should wear face coverings or masks during visits, regardless of vaccination status, and visits should ideally occur in the resident's room.

17. Compassionate care visits are allowed at all times.

18. Need to re-start Church services, entertainment for residents and communal dining and activities following the CDC guidelines on Social Distancing, hand hygiene and infection control precautions.

19. Barber and Salon services should be re-started in the facility following the CDC guidelines on Social Distancing, hand hygiene and infection control precautions.

20. Prospective residents and families are allowed to tour the facility as infection control precautions are followed.