New Nursing Home Visitation Guidance Removes Active Screening Requirement for Staff
DOH clarified in an email that active screening at entry for COVID-19 infections, symptoms, and exposures is no longer required for nursing home staff. Passive screening is acceptable for both staff and visitors.
While the 2021 ADHC Reopening guidance does not correspond with this flexibility, we do think this is acceptable for ADHC programs. On the issue of registrant screenings and other very outdated 2021 guidance, we are asking DOH to update their policy.
Facilities and programs that wish to continue active staff screening are free to do so.
Guidance released by the Department on March 17th eliminated testing and active screening at entry for nursing home visitors, but did not provide clear guidance regarding screening of staff. Yesterday’s email provided the necessary clarification.
Passive screening, under CDC guidance, includes the implementation of “a process to make everyone entering the facility aware of recommended actions to prevent transmission to others if they have any of the following three criteria:
- a positive viral test for SARS-CoV-2
- symptoms of COVID-19, or
- close contact with someone with SARS-CoV-2 infection (for patients and visitors) or a higher-risk exposure (for healthcare personnel (HCP)).”
For example, the CDC guidance directs facilities to "instruct HCP to report any of the 3 above criteria to occupational health or another point of contact designated by the facility so these HCP can be properly managed."
The definition of “higher-risk exposure” and recommendations for evaluation and work restriction of these HCP can be found in the CDC’s Interim Guidance for Managing Healthcare Personnel with SARS-CoV-2 Infection or Exposure to SARS-CoV-2.
Passive screening also entails providing guidance (e.g., posted signs at entrances) about recommended actions for patients and visitors who have any of the above three criteria.
Programs should also note that DOH issued an advisory that non-emergency Medicaid transportation no longer requires masking for riders and drivers, although best practices for infection control should remain in place. This applies to Method 2 and we are advocating that the 2021 ADHC COVID guidance also reflects this policy. Please see the following article:
Please feel free to reach out if you have questions.
Contact: Meg Everett, meverett@leadingageny.org, 518 867-8871.