COVID End-of-Life Visitation

End-of-life visitation for Covid-19 confirmed acutely ill isolated/cohorted patients will be limited to two visitors, on a case-by-case basis per the patient’s physician.

Visitor/s must acknowledge that they have read the process below and agree to follow the instructions by signing the acknowledgment form.

Process:

• Visitors must enter the facility at the Main entrance and identify themselves as visitors for end-of-life
• Visitors must comply with wearing masks at all times when in the facility
• Any visitor that has symptoms or is Covid-19 positive, will not be allowed inside the facility
• End-of-Life visitation must be requested by the patient’s physician prior to the visit
• Any visitor that has symptoms or is Covid-19 positive, will not be allowed inside the facility
• Visitor/s must be escorted by chaplain or nursing staff to the patient’s location
• Visitor/s may visit the patient inside the cohort space / negative air pressure room AFTER:
  • Instruction/education that Covid-19 disease can be high risk for severe illness for older adults or those of any age with underlying medical conditions, obesity, unvaccinated, etc.
  • The movement of visitor/s in the healthcare facility will be restricted. Visitor/s may only visit the patient they are caring for and may not go to other locations in the facility.
  • Instruction/education that entering this cohort space increases the risk of contracting Covid-19 illness, especially if Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is not put on (don) / taken off (doff) correctly
  • Visitor/s must wear PPE correctly throughout the visit
  • Visitor/s must receive a verbal explanation of PPE use by the PPE Monitor or Unit staff nurse, including why it is needed, not to touch face/eye area, etc.
    • PPE Anteroom Monitor / Nursing unit staff inside cohort units must assist the visitor/s to don / doff PPE; as well as educate the visitor/s about hand hygiene, PPE, appropriate waste disposal, etc.
    • Acknowledge those visitor/s wear respirators at their own risk, as no health screening is performed
    • Visitor/s unable to wear the PPE may not enter the isolation/cohort space
• Don PPE:
  • Perform hand hygiene
  • N95 mask or equivalent – perform a self-fit check with instruction by PPE Anteroom monitor or Unit staff nurse
  • Face shield
  • Gown
  • Gloves
•  Enter the cohort unit patient room or unit patient room
•  Conduct the patient visit – touching the patient’s hand or face is permitted with PPE in place
• Exit the cohort unit patient room or unit patient room
• Doff PPE:
  • Gloves – discard them
  • Perform hand hygiene
  • Gown – discard it
  • Face shield – place in a bin for re-cleaning and/or discard it
  • N95 mask or equivalent – discard it
  • Perform hand hygiene
• Visitor/s are to leave the facility after completing patient visitation and should be escorted by a chaplain or designated staff member
• Receive instruction/education by unit staff/chaplain/designee that any symptoms of Covid-19 (fever, cough or shortness of breath, diarrhea) that develop following the patient visit should be reported to their primary care provider and/or prompt care asap
• End-of-life may have be limited time period to facilitate the care of all patients

Covid-19 – End-of-Life visitation: Covid-19 confirmed patients removed from isolation / cohort space:

• End of life visitation will be limited to four visitors, on a case-by-case basis per the patient’s physician
• Visitors must enter the facility at the Main entrance and identify themselves as visitors for end-of-life
• Visitors must comply with wearing masks at all times when in the facility
• Any visitor that has symptoms or is Covid-19 positive, will not be allowed inside the facility
• End-of-Life visitation must be requested by the patient’s physician prior to the visit
• Visitor/s may be escorted by chaplain or nursing staff to the patient’s location
• End-of-life visits may be of a limited time period to facilitate the care of all patients