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shall include attestation of compliance with all State and federal guidelines as described
in number 2.
5. The NH has no staffing shortages as evidenced by the NH’s individual staffing plan and
as reported by the NH through submissions to the National Health Safety Network
(NHSN).
6. The absence of any new onset of COVID-19 among staff or residents as reported to the
Department on the HERDS and staff testing surveys and as reported to the NHSN for a
period of no less than twenty-eight (28) days, consistent with
CMS established
thresholds.
7. Access to adequate testing. The NH should have a testing plan in place that, at a
minimum, ensures all consenting nursing home residents have received a single
baseline COVID-19 test. In addition, the NH must have the capability to test or can
arrange for testing of all residents upon identification of any individual with symptoms
consistent with COVID-19. If a staff member tests positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the
NH must have the capacity to continue re-testing all nursing home staff and residents, as
applicable.
8. An executed and operationalized arrangement with laboratories to process SARS-CoV-2
virus tests. As recommended by CMS, the test used should be able to detect SARS-
CoV-2 virus (e.g., polymerase chain reaction (PCR)) with greater than 95 percent
sensitivity, greater than 90 percent specificity, with results obtained and rapidly reported
to the NH.
9. Adherence to written screening protocols for all staff during each shift, each resident
daily, and all persons entering the facility or grounds of such nursing home, including
visitors. Resident monitoring must include daily symptom checks, vital signs, and pulse
oximetry.
10. A copy of the NH’s formal visitation plan is posted to their public website and
broadcasted via email or social media to provide visitors with clear guidelines for visiting
and to announce if and when visitation is paused due to an increase in the number of
residents and/or staff with a confirmed positive COVID-19 diagnosis.
When a NH meets all of the above criteria, the nursing home may resume visitation
following the guidelines outlined below which must also be included in the NH’s NY
Forward Safety Plan.
1. Visitation should be limited to outdoor areas, weather permitting. Under certain limited
circumstances, as defined by the facility, visitation can be inside, in a well-ventilated
space with no more than 10 individuals who are appropriately socially distanced and
wearing a facemask or face covering while in the presence of others. This may include
residents visiting each other.
2. At this time, visitation is strictly prohibited in resident rooms or care areas with the
exception of parents and immediate family members visiting a pediatric resident (up to
age 21) on a dedicated pediatric unit/wing when such room is only occupied by the
child receiving a visit. In those instances, all other requirements listed in this directive
apply.
3. Specialty practitioner, podiatric, and dental services may continue. Strict adherence to
infection control guidelines is required.
4. Limited visitation, including, but not limited to, family members, loved ones,
representatives from the long-term care ombudsman program (LTCOP), and resident
advocacy organizations, will be permitted under the following conditions: