Visitation Update | St. Ann’s Home & Wegman Care Center 3.26.2021
March 26, 2021
UPDATED VISITATION PER NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH GUIDANCE ISSUED ON MARCH 25, 2021
The New York State Department of Health (DOH) issued new visitation guidance on March 25, 2021. Per the guidance, the St. Ann’s Community’s Skilled Nursing visitation policies are as follows, effective Monday March 29, 2021:
• Scheduling visits with Elders is no longer required. Visitors may come to St. Ann’s Community seven days a week.
• All visitors will continue to be screened for symptoms and/or potential exposure to COVID-19, as well as have their temperature taken. For the purpose of potential contact tracing, we’ll also need to document the visitor’s name, address, telephone number, email address, and the date and time of the visit.
• All visitors must wear a mask covering their mouth and nose. If an Elder is on precautions, visitors are still allowed, but must wear the appropriate PPE (i.e., gowns, gloves, face shields). The St. Ann’s Community will provide these items as well as any assistance that is needed with donning and doffing.
• It is highly recommended that visitors be tested for COVID prior to their visit.
• The St. Ann’s Community requests that all visitors be vaccinated against COVID. Vaccination is requested, but not required.
• There is a limit of two visitors at a time per Elder per visit to maintain physical distance as much as possible within the confines of the room.
• Visitation should occur between 10 am and 7pm unless approved by the Interdisciplinary Care Plan Team.
• The guidance requires limited visitor movement throughout the building. Visitors must go directly to and from the Elder’s room. However, visitors may bring their loved ones outdoors if the Elder chooses and weather permits. Visitors must go directly to the outdoor area, and then directly back to the Elder’s room.
• Visitors must maintain a social distance of six feet from anyone other than their loved one; i.e., other Elders, visitors and staff.
• If the Elder is fully vaccinated, they can choose to have close contact (including touch) with their visitor while wearing a well-fitting face mask and performing hand-hygiene before and after. Families must ensure that their loved one is properly wearing a mask.
• Visitation will not include eating together or other circumstances that would require the visitor to remove their mask.