UPDATED: 9/28/20
In compliance with the PA Secretary of Health’s updated standards on 9/3/20, Saint John XXIII Home has implemented a “Compassionate Caregiver Policy”. This “Compassionate Caregiver” terminology should NOT be used interchangeably with “End of Life visitations”. Compassionate Care visitation will be allowed in LIMITED situations per the Center of Medicare Services (CMS).
BACKGROUND:
At Saint John XXIII Home, we recognize the connection between mental and emotional health and physical health, and that the effects of prolonged isolation may have significant mental and emotional health impacts that a resident’s physical health becomes impaired. In such instances, our staff will work WITH the resident and family to provide the resident with access to care needed to maintain or improve their health status.
STANDARDS to RECEIVE COMPASSIONATE CAREGIVER ACCESS:
Compassionate Caregiver access may be considered ONLY if there are two or more documented “SIGNIFICANT CHANGES”, in a resident’s condition.
SIGNIFICANT CHANGE is defined as: a MAJOR decline or improvement in a resident’s status that:
1. Will not normally resolve itself without intervention by staff or by implementing standard clinical intervention.
2. The decline is not considered “self limiting”.
3. Impacts two or more areas of the residents health status
4. Requires interdisciplinary review and/or revision of the care plan
(all 4 of the above criteria must be met)
* Interested individuals will call the facility Administrator at (724-981-3200) to request an Interdisciplinary Compassionate Caregiver status review. This conference will be scheduled as soon as reasonably possible via conference call.
COMPASSIONATE CAREGIVER REQUIRED STANDARDS: (Upon Approval)
* Caregivers will show proof of a NEGATIVE COVID-19 test that was administered within the past 7 days, preferably 72 hours if testing turnaround times allow, BEFORE initiating Caregiver duties.
* The Caregiver is subject to all ongoing testing requirements that apply to Saint John XXIII Home staff pursuant to all guidance and Orders. (ie- weekly or monthly testing)
* Caregivers are responsible for arranging and covering the cost of their initial and ongoing testing.
* Caregivers who do NOT remain in good standing with (or refuse) the COVID testing requirements, will NOT be permitted to participate in the Caregiver program/process.
* Caregivers are to be screened prior to entering the facility, adhere to universal masking at all times, frequently practice hand sanitization, and social distance from ALL STAFF and OTHER RESIDENTS.
* Social distancing from the resident receiving Caregiving is strongly preferred but not required if distancing would NOT achieve the intended health outcomes of the visit.
* Caregivers are permitted to visit a maximum of 2 hours per day, and there should be no more than 2 Caregivers per resident at a time.
* Caregivers will be screen for COVID symptoms at EACH visit. In addition, they must provide the following on the Compassionate Caregiver log: Name, date, time in, time out, address, phone number and email address, in the event that contact tracing is necessary.
* If a Caregiver does not comply with 1 or more of these public health practices, they will be asked to leave the facility and their Caregiver status will be reassessed by facility Administration in order to protect staff and other residents.
FACILITY STAFF RESPONSIBILITIES:
* Interdisciplinary Team will participate in the Caregiver Request determination conference call.
* Nursing staff will complete a review to determine the need for Compassionate Caregiver
* The Residents Care Plan/RASP will be updated with measurable objectives and timeframes for action related to Compassionate Caregiving.
* Care plan decision makers will determine: number of days per week (frequency) the visits are needed to maintain or improve the resident’s health status WITHOUT introducing unnecessary risk posed by increased number of individuals entering Saint John XXIII Home
* The FIRST Compassionate Caregiver visit for each Caregiver will be observed by facility staff in the setting deemed appropriate for the visits to orient Caregivers to specific safety measures the Caregivers need to take to protect residents and staff.
(Hand sanitizer areas, proper hand hygiene, proper mask compliance, demarcation requirements, social distancing, etc. Visits will be restricted to the designated resident ONLY.
* Staff should correct any deficiencies. Staff only need to observe the visit until the Caregiver is fully oriented and any deficiencies resolved.
* SUBSEQUENT VISITS: staff should check in, as possible, to ensure adherence to the universal masking, hand sanitizer has been recently used, distancing from other residents is being practiced, etc.
* Screen Caregivers with EACH visit. A log of visit must be maintained including: Name, Date, Time in, Time out, address, phone number and email address, in the event contact tracing is necessary.
COMPASSIONATE CAREGIVER ASSESSMENT FORM:
Resident Name:____________________________________ Date:_________________
Caregiver Request Name:____________________________________________________
Reason for the Request:
Staff Assessment of Area(s) of Decline:
Requested Frequency/Time of Visits:
Objective of visits:__________________________________________________________
Careplan / RASP update: DATE:___________________ by ________________________
Compassionate Caregiver: Approved:___________ Denied:_______________
Frequency/Days/Times approved to meet objective:_____________________________
Administrator Signature:____________________________________________________
Reassessment Date: _______________________________________________________
COMMENTS