Safe Visiting Practices

• Risk of Unknown Exposure
  • All persons must understand their risk of unknown exposure to COVID-19, based on their behavior in the last 14 days and modify their behavior accordingly.
  • All persons will be required to complete Active Health Assessment Screening upon entry of any site. 
    • Anyone with symptoms or recent known exposure to COVID-19 will not be allowed entry into the site.
    • Individual are not required to disclose their assessed risk of unknown exposure, but they are required to make the resident aware and behave accordingly.
    • Individuals are required to limit the number of different sites that they enter and provide in-person visits to only one site per day.
• Hand Hygiene
  • All persons visiting, as well as residents, are required to wash their hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer (greater than 60% alcohol content) before, during as appropriate, and after all visits.
  • NPHF will have hand sanitizer available for all visits.
  • NPHF requires that visitors bring their own hand sanitizer to use during the room visit as necessary.
• Use of PPE (General Practices)
  • All designated family/support persons and visitors are required to wear a mask continuously throughout the visit indoors.
  • NPHF will educate visitors on proper donning and doffing of masks and other necessary PPE as required.
  • Designated family/support persons and visitors are required to supply their own masks
    • Single use masks may be removed and disposed of for indoor visits in a resident room if physical distancing can be maintained.  A new mask must be worn in transit through the site.
  • Continuous use of mask is not required for outdoor visits unless physical distancing cannot be maintained.
  • NPHF will supply all required PPE in the instance of a newly admitted resident or a resident on isolation precautions; staff will ensure that the designated family/support person or visitor is trained to use and has practiced the appropriate use of PPE.

​PPE and Safe Physical Touch

• The risk of transmission of COVID-19 increases with close proximity.  If a resident and their designated family/support person(s) or visitor(s) understand this and wish to include physical touch in their visits, this may be done by following these guidelines:
  • Immediately STOP close contact with the resident and inform staff for further direction if they become symptomatic during the visit.
  • Continuously wear a mask that covers the nose and mouth while within 2 metres of the resident.
  • Residents are not required to wear a mask but will be provided with one if they desire.
  • Perform hand hygiene both before and after direct physical contact with the resident.
  • If a resident is isolated due to symptoms of COVID-19, NPHF will provide the designated family/support persons and/or visitors with the required PPE, ensure that they are trained and have practiced the appropriate use of PPE.
  • Individuals at low risk of unknown exposure may engage in safe physical touch.
  • Individuals at medium risk of unknown exposure may engage in safe physical touch, where resident risk tolerance is high.
  • Individuals at high risk of unknown exposure will not be permitted to physically touch the resident unless they are providing direct resident care with all required PPE.

 
PPE and Cognitive/Sensory Impairment

• Residents who have sensory deficiencies or cognitive impairments will be supported to have safe and meaningful visits to support their overall health and wellbeing.
  • Where the use of PPE is disruptive, it is acceptable for PPE to be removed if physical distancing can be maintained.
  • Where PPE use causes distress to the resident due to cognitive impairment, and physical distancing cannot be maintained, adaptation to existing PPE will be considered on a case by case basis.

Visiting Animals

• One animal will be permitted to accompany a visitor for outdoor visits ONLY.
  • The animal must not be displaying signs of illness, such as diarrhea or vomiting.
  • The animal will not be permitted if it comes from a household with individuals at high risk of unknown exposure to COVID-19.

Gifts

• Designated family/support persons and visitors will be permitted to bring gifts, including homemade or purchased food or flowers/plants if the item(s).
  •  Items that can be disinfected with wipes will be given to the resident immediately.
  • Items that cannot be disinfected will be quarantined for 24 hours before being delivered to the resident.
  • In the event of an outbreak, gifts will no longer be accepted.