Per SB988, No Patient Left Alone Act, dated April 6, 2022 – “No Resident Left Alone”
Florida Statute 408.823, the “No Patient Left Alone Act,” requires Melody Place to implement a policy that allows a resident to have in-person visits by an Essential Caregiver during circumstances that may restrict resident visitation. Melody Place recognizes that residents may designate a family member, friend, guardian, or other individual as an Essential Caregiver.
Melody Place will designate the Administrator responsible for ensuring staff adhere to the policies and procedures.
The visitation policies and procedures required by this statute must allow in-person visitation by Essential Caregivers in all of the following circumstances unless the resident, client, or patient objects:
- End-of-life situations
- A resident, client, or patient who was living with family before being admitted to the provider’s care is struggling with the change in environment and lack of in-person family support.
- A resident, client, or patient is making one or more major medical decisions.
- A resident, client, or patient is experiencing emotional distress or grieving the loss of a friend or family member who recently died.
- A resident, client, or patient needs cueing or encouragement to eat or drink, which was previously provided by a family member or caregiver.
- A resident, client or patient who used to talk and interact with others is seldom speaking.
Melody Place will allow in-person visitation by the Essential Caregiver for at least 2 hours daily in addition to any other visitation authorized. Melody Place does not require an Essential Caregiver to provide necessary care to a resident. The designated Essential Caregiver will be documented in the resident’s medical record and updated upon the resident’s request.
Melody Place requires the following procedures to comply with the statute. Before in-person visitation, all Essential Caregivers must adhere to the following procedures:
- Comply with the infection control and education policies for visitors.
- Infection Control policies may require a visitor to wear Personal Protection Equipment (PPE), including properly wearing a face mask and other necessary PPE and performing hand hygiene.
- Staff will provide directions on the proper use of PPE. This policy does not prohibit visits if the specific resident to be visited is quarantined, tested positive, or showing symptoms of a communicable disease.
- Visits in these circumstances will require a higher level of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) than standard masks.
- PPE will be provided to the visitor, according to the most recent CDC guidance for healthcare workers.
- Submit to screening, which may include a temperature check and/or a questionnaire about health status.
In addition to the Essential Caregiver visitation policy, all visitors must comply with Melody Place’s general visitation policy:
- Melody Place has no limit on the number of visitors per resident.
- Melody Place may limit the total number of visitors allowed in the facility at any given time based on the staff’s ability to safely screen and monitor the space used to accommodate the visitors and on adherence to the infection control protocols of physical distancing.
- General visitation hours are from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. After-hours visitors must check with staff for access, but the length of the visitation is not limited.
- Consensual physical contact between a resident, client, or patient and the visitor is NOT prohibited.
- Masks are optional.
- For the continued safety of our residents, families, and staff, we may continue to take temperatures and require everyone to perform proper hand hygiene by either washing their hands or utilizing hand sanitizer upon entering.
- A resident, client, or patient may designate a visitor who is a family member, client, or patient, and the visitor is NOT prohibited.
- Visitors who have a positive viral test for infectious diseases, symptoms of infectious diseases, or currently meet the criteria for quarantine should not enter Melody Place.
- Melody Place does not require visitors to agree to follow the visitation policies and procedures in writing. However, if the visitor has violated the policies and procedures, Melody Place may suspend in-person visitation for the specific individual.
- Visitors will be provided education on infectious disease signs and symptoms and Melody Place’s infection control precautions.
- Safety-related policies and procedures are not more stringent than those established for Melody Place staff, and visitors are not required to provide proof of vaccination or immunization.
Melody Place takes its commitment to the well-being of its residents seriously, and this includes a resident’s right to visitation with their family. If you have questions or comments regarding this policy, please contact the Administrator at pat@melodyplacealf.com.