Planning To Reopen - Phase 2 Health and Human Services

6/10/2020 (Permalink)

As we begin the second phase of Governor Charlie Baker's plan to reopen the Commonwealth it becomes increasingly important that, while we continue to move towards normal, we are aware of the risks inherent of doing so and remain vigilant in our fight against COVID-19. In part one of Phase 2 health care, behavioral health, dental and vision practitioners are allowed to incrementally resume certain in-person visits. 

The following highlights guidance for reopening Health and Human Services during Phase 2. 

As always, work with your local health officials to determine a set of strategies appropriate for your community’s situation.

(See our "Planning to Reopen series of blogs for more information regarding CDC, EPA, FDA, and OSHA safety requirements). To review the administration's reopening guidance from the state click here. To view Governor Baker's full report click here).

Phase 2 has been divided into two parts. Beginning today, Monday, June 8, the following can reopen under certain restrictions including, but not limited to COVID-19 Order No. 35, former COVID-19 Orders and sector-specific COVID-19 workplace safety rules .

Health care providers may incrementally resume in-person elective, non-urgent procedures and services, including routine office visits, dental visits, and vision care, subject to ongoing compliance with public health and safety standards. All other in-person medical, behavioral health, dental and vision services may resume, except for elective cosmetic procedures and in-person day programs (currently slated to resume as part of Phase 3).

Expanding in-person visitation should be done cautiously. The decision to do so should be determined solely on clinical judgment and any care that can be appropriately delivered via telehealth should not resume in-person. Priority should go to urgent services, chronic disease management, and preventive care and should promote equitable access to care for all.

According to these guidelines in order to resume services, health care providers must attest to and meet a range of infection control and public health criteria for how they deliver services:

• In order to provide non-emergency care, health care providers must attest to continuing to meet specific requirements to reopen or expand services including adequate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), infection control readiness, screening for COVID symptoms, and social distancing protocols. These attestation documents are posted online. 
• Health care providers must establish and adhere to a prioritization policy for scheduling in-person services that maximizes telehealth, focuses on high-priority preventive services, chronic disease management, pediatric care and immunizations, and urgent procedures that lead to high risk or significant worsening of the patient’s condition if deferred. 
• For non-essential, elective invasive procedures and services, providers must attest to monitoring patient volume to ensure they can meet CDC and other public health guidance regarding environmental infection controls and to limit overall pressure on the health care system. 
• Hospitals will be required to continue to meet the requirement of having at least 20% capacity available (based on a 7-day average of the hospital’s or hospital system’s available, staffed adult ICU and medical/surgical inpatient beds, including surge beds that can be staffed in 12-24 hours). 
• Additionally, health care providers should consider delaying/deferring certain non-urgent services that are expected to require significant PPE resources, result in hospital/ICU care or post-acute care, or that result in significant aerosolization.

Modifications have been made to the guidance for visitation with family and loved ones.  

• specific requirements for social distancing and infection control must be adhered to.
• Parents/guardians for children, birth partners, 2 and companions for individuals with disabilities continue to be allowed and are not considered visitors.
• Exceptions for hospitals and nursing facilities for compassionate/end of life visits will continue.
• All visitation is subject to infection control protocol, social distancing, and face coverings, and given the diversity of the facilities and programs, there are specific timetables for each.

Each congregate care program will be reaching out to families with specific details on scheduling a visit with their loved ones as the start date nears. The timeline is as follows; 

• On June 5, skilled nursing facilities, rest homes and assisted living residences began limited outdoor visitation of up to 2 visitors. 
• On June 10, hospitals can resume limited inside visitation of 1 person. 
• On June 10, human services adult residential programs and group homes operated by the Department of Developmental Services, Department of Mental Health, Department of Public Health, Massachusetts Commission for the Blind, and Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission can resume limited outdoor visitation. 
• One week after the start of Phase 2, the Soldiers’ Homes will begin limited outdoor visitation, as long as infection rates continue to remain stable. 
• On or before June 30, human services children and youth residential programs operated by the Department of Children and Families, Department of Mental Health, Department of Youth Services, and licensed by the Department of Early Education and Care can resume outdoor visitation.

While the administration continues to work with providers to implement best practices and protocols we will continue to share with you guidance from the CDC, FDA, OSHA and the Governor's office to follow as we prepare for reopening. Also, we at SERVPRO of Framingham know that not every business has access to the resources necessary to meet these strict guidelines. For those businesses, we are here to help!

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All of us here at SERVPRO of Framingham want you and your loved ones to stay safe and know that we will make it through this together!