CMS recommends including positivity rates, quarantine requirements, crossing state lines before allowing outings due to exposure with positive COVID people. There is the risk of exposure on outings or to be identified as close contact to a positive case.
This is in the LTC prevention recommendations document-
- Check local conditions and state requirements for precautions and restrictions,
- Educate resident and family on the importance of source control. encourage residents to stay connected with loved ones through alternative means of communication
- Testing after 5-7 days after return from an outing.
- If the outing is greater than 24 hours, the resident should be evaluated for the need to be placed in a private room upon return and quarantined for 14 days
- Not Vaccinated residents are not recommended to go on outings however upon return they need to be closely monitored for 14 days due to possible quarantine upon return to the facility. As always, fully vaccinated residents should continue to practice source control and family should be instructed on the importance of this as well.
Source control measures in place during an outing and upon return to the facility:
- Limit close contact (maintain physical distancing of six feet or more), keep gatherings as small as possible and use technology to engage with others remotely.
- Verbally greet others instead of shaking hands or giving hugs. Think ahead about how you will manage to prevent physical interactions with loved ones of different ages such as young children.
- Wear facemasks or cloth face covering at all times (including in cars, homes, restaurants, etc.).
- Limit contact with commonly touched surfaces or shared items.
- Keep safe around food and drinks. Avoid communal serving utensils, passing of food, potluck, or buffet-style food service, and instead, opt for individually prepared plates by a single server.
- Perform hand hygiene often (e.g., wash hands with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer).
- Avoid large gatherings and crowded areas, as well as high-risk activities such as singing; If possible, conduct gatherings outdoors. Indoor gatherings should have good ventilation, open windows, and doors if possible.
- Tested 5-7 days after the outing.
- For those attending a gathering, avoid contact with individuals outside of their household for 14 days prior to the gathering; Ask anyone who has signs or symptoms of COVID-19, or has been exposed to someone diagnosed with COVID-19, to not attend the gathering.
- If the resident is identified as a close contact from the outing, they need to be placed in `, no matter vaccination status.
If you have any questions please contact Kim Jensrud at 701-947-2944