Publication of visit criteria within Colorado healthcare facilities

DENVER (KKTV) – On Friday, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) released an updated public health order on visits to residential care facilities.

There are still restrictions in place for locations that have a high positivity rate for COVID-19. The State Department recommends that residents and visitors meet outdoors if weather permits.

“The updated guidance balances the need to be as safe as possible at facilities that continue to be at greatest risk – with the need for visits. We know that visits are critical to the health and well-being of those served by the facilities, so we are proceeding with caution and will continue to monitor and respond to the situation, ”said Randy Kuykendall, Director, Division sanitary facilities and EMS, CDPHE.

Home visits with family and friends are now permitted in establishments that meet all of the following criteria.

• Must be located in a county with a two-week average positivity rate of less than 10%, as determined using the COVID-19 dial dashboard.
  
• Must implement ongoing weekly COVID-19 surveillance tests, as needed, for all staff and residents. Surveillance tests are done to identify the presence of COVID-19 in people before they show symptoms of illness. Surveillance testing is an important tool in stopping the spread of COVID-19 in facilities.
  
• Should not be faced with a current outbreak of COVID-19 or any other ongoing infectious disease outbreak, such as influenza or norovirus.
  
• Must maintain a 14 day supply of all necessary personal protective equipment.
  
• Must maintain adequate staffing levels and provide ongoing training on the latest COVID-19 prevention protocols.

The public health ordinance also reinforced that the following groups should be allowed to enter facilities with security measures:

• Providers of essential health care services (physicians, palliative and home care staff from all disciplines, as well as other types of medical and non-medical health care and services).
  
• Religious exercise.
  
• Adult protection services.
  
• Long Term Care Ombudsman.
  
• Designated support persons (must be screened and may be offered testing).
  
• Compassionate care visit.
  
• Medical and emergency service personnel (no screening or testing required and no delay in response or access in performing duties).
  

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