COVID-19 - Spring Oak Forked River
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SPRING OAK of BERLIN- ASSISTED LIVING
OUTBREAK RESPONSE PLAN
Outbreak Response Plan 2020
Background: Infectious disease emergencies, such as pandemic influenza or novel corona viruses, can potentially cause widespread illness and death. Infectious disease emergencies can range from naturally occurring outbreaks of illness (measles, pertussis, norovirus) to emerging infectious disease (SARS, Covid-19). To have an effective response to an infectious disease emergency, planning and preparation needs to be completed in advance. This outbreak response plan will layout the framework for an effective response to any infectious disease emergency.
Purpose: The purpose of this outbreak response plan is to outline the essential steps Spring Oak Assisted Living will take to care for infected residents and to provide continuity of care to non-infected residents. It is intended to provide a broad view of infectious disease outbreak planning with the understanding that the disease-specific information and guidance will provide more detail during actual response.
Scope: Spring Oak Assisted Living is located at 396 S White Horse Pike, Berlin, NJ 08009. The scope of this plan is limited to infectious disease outbreaks that present as public health emergencies.
Assumptions: Infectious disease outbreaks will occur and take a toll on public health and healthcare systems. Vaccine, reliable tests and treatment may or may not be available Resources such as personal protective equipment and medical supplies may be limited. Guidance on infectious disease management may change frequently and may be inconsistent. Public emergencies that occur on a large scale can disrupt schools and transportation making it a challenge for staff to show up at work. Outbreak of disease may require increased reporting of data to public health authorities. Staff may have concerns about reporting to work. Communication of risk may be challenging. Hospitals and public health authorities may push patients to stay at facility and receive care from primary care.
Instructions for use: This outbreak response plan is to be used in conjunction to the Spring Oak Assisted Living Emergency Response Plan. Response to an infectious disease outbreak will be coordinated with the Camden County Health Department, local emergency responders and the NJ State Department of Health as needed. Response actions may need modification in accordance with disease specific guidance and response needs.
SPRING OAK of BERLIN- ASSISTED LIVING
OUTBREAK RESPONSE PLAN
Outbreak Response Plan 2020
Communication: Spring Oak Assisted Living will remain in contact with the Camden County Health Department as needed and/or requested to provide situational awareness. These communications include activation, deactivation, suspension/resumption of services, critical resource shortages and hazardous situations. Spring Oak will maintain communication with staff, through mass text, phone calls and postings, regarding COVID-19 –related developments, and/or other changes in service. Spring Oak will use signage, email, phone messaging, website, and/or social media to provide basic, required information to residents and families. The facility maintains an active email list of all pertinent residents and legal next-ofkin, which shall be utilized for this purpose. Administration will monitor the NJ Health Alert Network, CDC website and the NJ Department of Health website for updated information on urgent and emergent public health situations. Spring Oak will report all required metrics to local health departments, NJ Dept of Health, and CDC NHSN, in accordance with NJ Dept of Health directives.
In the event that any Resident or Power-of-Attorney should have a pressing concern related to COVID-19, please contact the Facility Executive Director at the facility phone number (856) 719-9599, or email [email protected]
Facility Preparation/Environmental Controls Spring Oak has alcohol sanitizers, hand hygiene stations, and garbage receptacles throughout the facility. Spring Oak has isolation drawers that can be utilized when an outbreak occurs.
Infection Control: Staff will be educated on signs and symptoms and will report any suspected exposure to the on call administrator Staff will self screen for symptoms prior to reporting for work, receive temperature checks prior to entering the building and will sign an attestation. Administration may prohibit staff from reporting to work if they are sick, until cleared to do so by the appropriate medical authority, in compliance with appropriate labor laws. Administration will identify dedicated staff to care for residents who become ill with an infectious disease. Visitors will be screened for relevant symptoms and denied entry if any symptoms are present.
SPRING OAK of BERLIN- ASSISTED LIVING
OUTBREAK RESPONSE PLAN
Outbreak Response Plan 2020
Visitation may be restricted (at times completely) in compliance with state and local directives. Residents will be screened three times daily for symptoms and vital signs will be recorded. Any residents that show relevant symptoms will be isolated to their apartments, until deemed clear by the Director of Nursing in conjunction with the Vineland Health Department. Any resident in a shared apartment will be moved to a private room, if available, unless the roommate shows relevant symptoms as well. Two private rooms are currently available for isolation. All staff caring for the isolated resident will use the recommended personal protective equipment. If a resident who is in isolation is in need of emergency services, the receiving facility will be notified in advance of suspected illness. In the event of an outbreak in the facility or local community, Spring Oak may close facility to new admissions, transfers, and limit visitations on the advice of the Camden County Health Department.
Environmental Cleaning All staff will follow current CDC guidelines for environmental cleaning specific to the infectious disease in addition to routine cleaning for the duration of the threat. Spring Oak has a plan for facility sanitization. The facility is routinely, and frequently sanitized using CDC-preferred methods and cleaners, especially in common areas and areas of high traffic.
Employer Considerations: Administration will consider its requirements under OSHA, CMS, State Licensure, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, American Disabilities Act, and other state or federal laws in determining the precautions it will take to protect its residents and staff. Protecting residents and staff will be of paramount concern. Administration will take into account, the degree of frailty of the residents in the facility, the likelihood of the infectious disease being transmitted to the residents and employees, the method of spread of the disease, and the precautions which can be taken to prevent the spread of the infectious disease. After considering all of the above, administration will decide the extent to which exposed employees, or those who are showing signs of the disease, must be precluded from contact with the residents or other employees. Whatever action is taken will be applied to all staff in like circumstances race, gender, marital status, country of origin, and other protected characteristics unless they are documented as relevant to the spread of the disease. Permit employees to return to work when cleared by a licensed physician, however additional precautions may be taken to protect the residents.
SPRING OAK of BERLIN- ASSISTED LIVING
OUTBREAK RESPONSE PLAN
Outbreak Response Plan 2020
Employees who refuse at any time to take the precautions set out in this and other sections of this plan may be subject to discipline including work exclusion.
Staffing: Spring Oak has a plan to ensure, to the best of its ability, adequate staffing to meet the needs of its residents. Spring Oak has contractual agreements with staffing agency vendors who will provide staff in the event of significant staffing shortage due to COVID-19. Spring Oak has a plan for triaging of staff, in the event that positive COVID-19 cases among staff should cause a staffing emergency. Spring Oak will utilize temporary waivers of certification, re-activation of licensed staff, and other NJ Dept of Health- endorsed programs, as needed, to provide for the adequate care of the residents of the community. Spring Oak will communicate with NJ Dept of Health, Office of Emergency Management, and Camden County Health Department, whenever there should develop a staffing emergency.