Coronavirus/COVID-19 Focused Infection Control

We are committed to providing a safe environment for our clients, caregivers and the community. We are continually updating our treatment protocols to ensure we are strictly observing the Orange County Health Department and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

• Staff members stay home if they are experiencing any symptoms of illness.
• All staff are required to wear masks. Staff are permitted to take of mask when eating/drinking, breaks, and when six feet away from another staff person.
• Per CDC guidelines, we are asking our team members to travel only when necessary.
• We have amped up our deep cleaning schedule and tightened requirements for food handling and infection control to prevent community acquired infection. Staff will wipe down all kitchen, bathroom and common area surfaces daily with disinfectant cleaning supplies and perform continuous focused assessments on staff and clients (and at the start of every shift).
• We are temporarily restricting visitors, vendors and contractors at all locations.
• Staff and clients will maintain “social distancing” of at least six feet. Unmasked essential visitors need to maintain a six-foot distance. This means no handshakes, hugs, or close physical contact with other people.
• Clients are required to have a negative COVID-19 test prior to admission at all levels of care. Clients must check in at the clinical office so we can perform a daily focused COVID-19 symptom assessment. Masks must be worn when social distancing is not possible. Social distancing is 6 feet apart. If going off site state guidelines are to be followed.
• If a client develops a temperature higher than 98.6 degrees F:
  • Staff will call the Medical staff to discuss the need to consult with a medical provider.
• If a client develops a temperature higher than 99.0 degrees F:
  • Staff will isolate the client and conduct a full assessment.
  • Nursing staff will contact the Charge Nurse, who will consult with a medical provider for further instructions/testing if needed.
• If it is determined that the client or staff member requires further testing due to symptoms:
  • Quarantine client and/or staff member.
  • A response team comprised of the Medical Director, Clinical Director and Charge Nurse will convene to determine next steps.
  • All staff and clients will be restricted to their current location until further notice.
  • COVID testing for all clients and staff at the unit.
  • Surface areas that the client came into direct contact with will be cleaned immediately.
  • Once the risk has been removed, normal operations will resume.
• No staff, clients or essential visitors with any symptoms of COVID-19 will be allowed into our treatment centers.
• Essential visitors to our facilities will be screened for COVID-19 outside the facility. If the screening reveals possible COVID-19:
  • The visitor will be asked to leave the facilities and to call their provider for further assessment and/or testing.
  • The screener will inform his/her supervisor, the medical provider, and the Clinical Director, the Charge Nurse and Human Resources.
• At the start of every shift, before entering any facility, staff members will check in at the nurse’s office to have their temperature checked and recorded on our daily temperature log. They will then be required to wash their hands for 40 seconds.
• If a staff member develops symptoms of illness while at work:
  • The staff member must notify supervisor and nursing for assessment.
  • If needed, the Charge Nurse will report the incident to the Medical and Clinical Director.
  • The staff member will be sent home to self-isolate if nursing deems appropriate.
  • The staff member will then contact their primary care provider for further guidance and possible treatment.
• Staff members are asked to report any symptoms of COVID-19 which may exist among their family members to their direct supervisor who will then report the symptom to the Charge Nurse, medical provider, Clinical Director and Human Resources. Per CDC guidelines a 10-day quarantine is mandatory prior to returning to work. The quarantine starts the day of the positive test result.
• Focused assessment for staff, clients, and essential visitors will include:
  • Daily temperature check two times per day.
  • Asking the following screening questions:
    • Have you had a fever within the past 24 hours?
    • Do you have symptoms of a respiratory illness (e.g. sore throat, cough or shortness of breath/difficulty breathing)?
    • Have you traveled outside of your state and/or had visitors from out of state?
    • Have you or a close contact tested positive for COVID-19 or Influenza?
• If you respond NO to each of these screening questions, please wash your hands or use our hand sanitizer before entering a client care area.
• Should clients begin showing symptoms of illness, the client will be quarantined and nursing will continue to assess quarantined clients on a daily basis for progression of illness.
• Signage is posted at facility entrance of with visitation restrictions and screening procedures.
• Education, Monitoring, and Screening of Staff: Nursing staff will educate, monitor, screen and convey updates on COVID-19 to all staff.

In the event that a client has symptoms or tests positive for COVID-19 Nursing will assess and contact Medical Director.