Hillsview Acres Home for Special Care COVID-19 Update

HILLSVIEW ACRES HOME FOR SPECIAL CARE

COVID -19 Update

Effective Date: July 6, 2022

Key Changes to the Long Term Care COVID-19 Directive

  • Proof of vaccination no longer required for visitors to enter Hillsview Acres; all others are still required to show proof of vaccination.
  • No limit to the number of visitors per resident at one time. Hillsview Acres must consider the number of visitors and the accommodation space available for the visit when determining the number of visitors permitted per visit.
  • Visitors, essential visitors, volunteers, specialized workers, and staff will now self-screen when entering the facility (i.e., passive screening). A designated screener (i.e., active screening) and documentation is no longer required upon entry.
  • Hillsview Acres asks visitors to continue to call 902-685-2966 extension 221 to pre-schedule their visit.
  • Upon arrival, we ask visitors to ring the doorbell and wait to be greeted by staff.
  • Please self-screen using the COVID-19 screening tool posted outside the Hillsview Acres main entrance.

Self Screening (no documentation required)

All Nova Scotians should monitor for symptoms of COVID-19. Common symptoms include one or more of the following:

Ø  Cough (new or worsening/exacerbation of chronic cough)

Ø  Fever (chills, sweats)

Ø  Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

Ø  Loss or change in sense of smell or taste

Ø  Sore throat

Ø  Runny nose/nasal congestion/excessive sneezing

Ø  Headache

Ø  Extreme fatigue/tiredness

Ø  Nausea, diarrhea or vomiting

If you have COVID-19 symptoms, testing is recommended for:

Ø  People at higher risk of severe disease

Ø  People who live and work in higher-risk group living settings (such as long-term care homes, shelters, group homes, correctional facilities)

Ø  Frontline health care workers

Testing is available for all symptomatic Nova Scotians. If you are experiencing symptoms, complete the online self-assessment or call 811 to book an appointment for a PCR test or rapid test pick-up, based on eligibility.

If you don’t have symptoms, testing is not needed.
  • Visitors may remove their mask only when in a private area (for example, the specific personal area of the visited resident, but no un-masked contact occurs with any of the resident’s roommates or staff), or when outside the facility. This mask removal option by visitors does not apply when the facility is in outbreak (suspect or confirmed).
  • Staff may remove their mask when in designated staff break areas if physically distanced or when outside the facility. However, if physical distancing in staff break areas is not possible, masks are required.
  • Asymptomatic admissions from community are no longer required to isolate. Upon admission, the resident will be screened for symptoms and may complete voluntary COVID-19 PCR testing.
  • Active Surveillance documentation is no longer required to be completed nor any completed copies of it retained by Hillsview Acres.

Testing Guidance

  • Discontinuation of asymptomatic workplace screening program.
  • Symptomatic staff members will be allowed to return to work once a PCR test collected at least 48 hours following the onset of symptoms is found to be negative and they meet the other return to work criteria.
  • Asymptomatic, boostered staff with positive household contacts will not have to stay home from work following last known contact but will follow work isolation and testing protocols per OHSW guidance.

Guidance for COVID-19 Case Management and Outbreak Control in LTCFs

 

  • Vaccination status no longer a factor determining isolation and testing requirements for residents.
  • Staff and resident cases will still be reported via the Reporting COVID-19 Long Term Care, Residential Care Facilities and Home Care Agencies funded by Seniors & Long Term Care online webform, but reporting of visitor and specialized worker cases no longer required. OHSW will follow up on staff cases, and Public Health will become involved when resident cases occur (i.e., an outbreak has been declared).
  • Resident contact management no longer requires asymptomatic contact testing and isolation unless otherwise indicated by a medical officer of health (MOH). Staff contact management will continue to be guided by OHSW.
  • In limited circumstances, a MOH could direct further post-exposure management to occur.
  • Residents who have recovered from PCR-confirmed COVID-19 infection in the last 90 days and are asymptomatic have no restrictions on their movement within or outside the facility.
  • Daily Staff Line List document no longer required to be completed or retained by Hillsview Acres.
  • Outbreaks can potentially be declared over in 10 days after the last linked exposure rather than 20 days.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Who can enter LTCFs without proof of vaccination?

Visitors and DCGs are permitted to enter LTCFs in Nova Scotia regardless of their vaccination status, if they pass COVID-19 self-screening/passive screening.

Staff/employees, essential visitors, specialized workers, and volunteers are still required to have documented proof of COVID-19 vaccination to work in LTCFs in Nova Scotia.

What will happen if another COVID-19 wave occurs?

A variety of factors are weighed when considering any changes to COVID-19 response measures. These include epidemiology, evolving science, immunization rates in the province and LTCF residents, and feasibility and sustainability of measures. Amendments to the LTC sector’s guiding documents are based on the advice of Public Health, IPAC, and/or OHSW and any potential guidance changes would be assessed at that time.

How often do facilities test residents?

Residents will only be required to be tested if symptomatic, unless otherwise guided by Public Health.

 

Can I remove my mask at the nursing station, in the med room, or in other areas when I am not near a resident?

Staff are required to wear well-fitting medical masks at all times in the LTCF, except when physically distanced in designated staff break areas or when outside the facility.

Are we still expected to do active screening of residents?

Yes, active screening of residents for symptoms of COVID-19 is expected at least once daily and documented in usual clinical notes.

Are Infection Prevention and Control and Occupational Health Safety Wellness still available for consultation and support?

Yes, there have been no changes in the support provided by these two teams. They can be contacted as outlined in the Guidance for COVID-19 Case Management and Outbreak Control in LTCFs.

What support will be provided by Public Health?

Public Health will be primarily focusing its support in LTCFs to resident cases/contacts and outbreak management. They can be contacted as outlined in the Guidance for COVID-19 Case Management and Outbreak Control in LTCFs.

Can asymptomatic staff who are NOT boostered, return to work if they have a positive household member?

Asymptomatic staff who are NOT boostered will still be required to be excluded from the workplace for 72 hours if they have a positive household member. However, they will still have access to Lucira testing to expedite return to work if they are scheduled for a shift within 24 hours of work exclusion.