As the COVID-19 pandemic surged around the world, healthcare policymakers, management and staff have had to recognize a risk that was talked about but never really prepared for. Complicating the response further was that this pandemic was caused by a new pathogen (novel virus), and to which there was no natural immunity or vaccination. We are still learning about how this disease is transmitted, which population is the most vulnerable, and the best course of treatment. The most terrible aspect of the experience so far is that COVID-19 takes a terrible toll on the elderly and those sick with co-morbidities. As such, Skilled Nursing Facilities congregate care settings were especially at risk during this outbreak. As a result of this, the State and Federal governments have enacted additional requirements for the safe operation of a home. This document lays out the required elements of new legal and regulatory responsibilities during a pandemic.
Preparedness Tasks for all Infectious Disease Events

1. Staff Education on Infectious Diseases

• The Facility Infection Preventionist (IP), in conjunction with Inservice Coordinator/Designee, must provide education on Infection Prevention and Management upon the hiring of new staff, as well as ongoing education on an annual basis and as needed should a facility experience the outbreak of an infectious disease.
• The IP/ Designee will conduct annual competency-based education on hand hygiene and donning/doffing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for all staff.
• The IP, in conjunction with the Inservice Coordinator, will provide in-service training for all staff on Infection Prevention policies and procedures as needed for the event of an infectious outbreak, including all CDC and State updates/guidance.

2. Develop/Review/Revise and Enforce Existing Infection Prevention Control and Reporting Policies

The facility will continue to review/revise, and enforce existing infection prevention control and reporting policies. The Facility will update the Infection Control Manual, which is available in a digital and print form for all staff annually or as may be required during an event. From time to time, the facility management will consult with local Epidemiologists to ensure that any new regulations and/or areas of concern as related to Infection Prevention and Control are incorporated into the Facilities Infection Control Prevention Plans. Refer to Facility Assessment for Attestation of Yearly Review or Paper Copy with Signature Review Sheet

3. Conduct Routine/Ongoing, Infectious Disease Surveillance

• The Quality Assurance (QA) Committee will review all resident infections as well as the usage of antibiotics, on a monthly basis so as to identify any tends and areas for improvement.
• At daily Morning Meeting, the IDT team will identify any issues regarding infection control and prevention.
• As needed, the Director of Nursing (DON)/Designee will establish Quality Assurance Performance Projects (QAPI) to identify root cause(s) of infections and update the facility action plans, as appropriate. The results of this analysis will be reported to the QA committee.
• All staff are to receive annual education as to the need to report any change in resident condition to supervisory staff for follow up.
• Staff will identify the rate of infectious diseases and identify any significant increases in infection rates and will be addressed.
• Facility acquired infections will be tracked/reported by the Infection Preventionist.

4. Develop/Review/Revise Internal Policies and Procedures for Stocking Needed Supplies

• The Medical Director, Director of Nursing, Infection Control Practitioner, Safety Officer, and other appropriate personnel will review the Policies for stocking needed supplies.
• The facility has contracted with Pharmacy Vendor to arrange for 4-6 weeks supply of resident medications to be delivered should there be a Pandemic Emergency.
• The facility has established par Levels for Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved environmental cleaning agents based on pandemic usage.
• The facility has established par Levels for PPE.

5. Develop/Review/Revise Administrative Controls with regards to Visitation and Staff Wellness

• All sick calls will be monitored by Department Heads to identify any staff pattern or cluster of symptoms associated with infectious agent. Each Dept will keep a line list of sick calls and report any issues to IP/DON during Morning Meeting. All staff members are screened on entrance to the facility to include symptom check and thermal screening.
• Visitors will be informed of any visiting restriction related to an Infection Pandemic and visitation restriction will be enforced/lifted as allowed by NYSDOH.
• A contingency staffing plan is in place that identifies the minimum staffing needs and prioritizes critical and non-essential services, based on residents’ needs and essential facility operations. The staffing plan includes collaboration with local and regional DOH planning and CMS to address widespread healthcare staffing shortages during a crisis.

6. Develop/Review/Revise Environmental Controls related to Contaminated Waste

• Areas for contaminated waste are clearly identified as per NYSDOH guidelines
• The facility environmental coordinator shall follow all Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and DOH rules for the handling of contaminated waste. The onsite storage of waste shall be labeled and in accordance with all regulations. The handling policies are available in the Environmental Services Manual. Any staff involved in handling of contaminated product shall be trained in procedures prior to performing tasks and shall be given proper PPE.
• The facility will amend the Policy and Procedure on Biohazardous wastes as needed related to any new infective agents.

7. Develop/Review/Revise Vendor Supply Plan for food, water, and medication

• The facility currently has a 3-4 days’ supply of food and water available. This is monitored on a quarterly basis to ensure that it is intact and safely stored.
• The facility has adequate supply of stock medications for 4-6 weeks.
• The facility has access to a minimum of 2 weeks supply of needed cleaning/sanitizing agents in accordance with storage and NFPA/Local guidance. The supply will be checked each quarter and weekly as needed during a Pandemic. A log will be kept by the Department head responsible for monitoring the supply and reporting to Administrator any specific needs and shortages.

8. Develop Plans to Ensure Residents are Cohorted based on their Infectious Status

• Residents are isolated/cohorted based on their infection status in accordance with applicable NYSDOH and Centers for Disease Control guidance.
• The facility Administration maintains communication with Local Epidemiologist, NYS DOH, and CDC to ensure that all new guidelines and updates are being adhered to with respect to Infection Prevention.
• The Cohort will be divided into three groups: Unknown, Negative, and Positive as it relates to the infectious agent.
• The resident will have a comprehensive care plan developed indicating their Cohort Group and specific interventions needed.

9. Develop a Plan for Cohorting residents using a part of a unit, dedicated floor or wing, or group of rooms

• The Facility will dedicate a wing or group of rooms at the end of a unit in order to Cohort residents. This area will be clearly demarcated as isolation area.
• Appropriate transmission-based precautions will be adhered to for each of the Cohort Groups as stipulated by NYS DOH
• Staff will be educated on the specific requirements for each Cohort Group.
• Residents that require transfer to another Health Care Provider will have their Cohort status communicated to provider and transporter and clearly documented on the transfer paper work.
• All attempts will be made to have dedicated caregivers assigned to each Cohort group and to minimize the number of different caregivers assigned.

10. Develop/Review/Revise a Plan to Ensure Social Distancing Measures

• The facility will review/ revise the Policy on Communal Dining Guidelines and Recreational Activities during a Pandemic to ensure that Social Distancing is adhered to in accordance with State and CDC guidance.
• The facility will review/revise the Policy on Recreational Activities during a Pandemic to ensure that Social Distancing is adhered to in accordance with State and CDC guidelines. Recreation Activities will be individualized for each resident.
• The facility will ensure staff break rooms and locker rooms allow for social distancing of staff
• All staff will be re-educated on these updates as needed

11. Develop/Review/Revise a Plan to Recover/Return to Normal Operations

• The facility will adhere to directives as specified by, State and CDC guidance at the time of each specific infectious disease or pandemic event e.g., regarding how, when, which activities/procedures/restrictions may be eliminated, restored and the timing of when those changes may be executed.
• The facility will maintain communication with the local NYS DOH and CMS and follow guidelines for returning to normal operations. The decision for outside consultants will be made on a case by case basis taking into account medical necessity and infection levels in the community. During the recovery period residents and staff will continue to be monitored daily in order to identify any symptoms that could be related to the infectious agent.