The American Health Care Association recently issued guidance on the decision-making behind deciding who — from employees to outside contractors like therapy, pharmacy and mental health providers — should enter long-term care facilities.
“This decision needs to be balanced with meeting the needs of the resident. The risk-benefit trade off needs to be made on a case-by-case basis and should be informed by the high mortality associated with contracting this virus in the elderly,” the association wrote. “This decision process should also be evaluated and adjusted as necessary as the COVID-19 situation evolves in your local community and building.”
The guidance also discussed how to manage various duties amid the visitor restrictions. The association noted that some duties that are usually designated for direct-care staff can be shifted to non-direct care staff. For example, some duties for nurses and nurse aides, like performing and documenting routine vital signs, can be supported by physical and occupational therapy and speech-language pathology staff.
“This decision needs to be balanced with meeting the needs of the resident. The risk-benefit trade off needs to be made on a case-by-case basis and should be informed by the high mortality associated with contracting this virus in the elderly,” the AHCA wrote.
It also noted that some duties can be stopped or reduced.
“COVID-19 has interrupted usual daily operations in all long term care facilities. This means some direct or non-direct care staff usual duties are on hold or not urgent during this pandemic. Thus, there is opportunity to engage those staff in supporting activities that must continue despite the pandemic disruptions,” the association added.
