Each of our facilities has an Outbreak Response Plan based on recommendations/guidelines from the CDC, NJDOH and CMS and the individual make-up of the facility. Our Infection Preventionists, Nursing Management, Administrators and Interdisciplinary Team are involved in ensuring that our plan is updated as new information becomes available. Our plan has been updated in response to lessons learned from COVID-19.

Our Outbreak Response Plan Includes the following policies, procedures and protocols:

Strategies for effective and clear communication with staff, patients/residents, their families or guardians about any about any infectious disease outbreaks, including methods to communicate information on mitigating actions implemented by the facility to prevent or reduce the risk of transmission, including if normal operations of the facility will be altered. Notifications will not include personally identifiable information.

• HMNR Outbreak Management Policy
• HMNR Communication Plan
• HMNR COVID-19 Pandemic Plan
• HMNR Visitors and Infection Control Practices
• HMNR Facility Entrance Screening During Epidemic/Pandemic Policy

Written standards, policies and procedures that provide for virtual communication (e.g. Phone, video-communication, Facetime, etc.) with patients/residents, families, and resident representatives, in the event of visitation restrictions due to an outbreak of infectious disease or in the event of an emergency.

• HMNR COVID-19 Pandemic Plan
• HMNR Outbreak Management Policy
• HMNR Communication plan
• HMNR Visitors and Infection Control Practices
• HMNR Essential Caregiver Policy/Protocols/FAQ

Methods to provide cumulative updates for patients/residents, their representatives and families of those residing in our facilities at least once weekly in particular during a curtailed visitation period.

• HMNR COVID-19 Pandemic Plan
• HMNR Communication Plan

Strategies for securing more staff in the event of COVID-19 or any other infectious disease or emergency among staff.

• HMNR Emergency Staffing Plan
• HMNR Outbreak Management Policy
• HMNR COVID-19 Pandemic Plan

Policies, protocols for isolation of infected, exposed or at- risk patients/residents during an outbreak of a contagious disease including isolation procedures, cohorting of patients/residents and discontinuation of isolation.

• HMNR COVID-19 Strict Isolation Policy
• HMH COVID Universal Pandemic Precautions
• HMH Post-acute Resident/Patient Clinical Pathway
• HMNR Cohorting of Residents/Patients Policy
• HMNR Observation and Quarantine Policy
• HMNR Outbreak Management Plan
• HMNR Transmission Based Precautions
• HMNR Respiratory Hygiene/Cough Etiquette in Healthcare Settings
• HMNR Infection Prevention Policy
• HMNR Pandemic Masking and Eye Protection Guidelines

Information on the availability of laboratory testing, protocols for assessing whether facility visitors are ill, protocols to require ill staff to not present at the facility for work duties and processes for implementing evidence- based outbreak response measures which are included in the following:

• HMNR COVID-19 Pandemic Plan
• HMNR COVID-19 Testing Plan
• HMNR Visitors and Infection Control Program Policy

Policies to conduct routine monitoring of residents and staff to quickly identify signs of a communicable disease that could develop into an outbreak which are included in the following:

• HMNR COVID-19 Pandemic Plan
• HMNR Outbreak Management Plan
• HMNR COVID-19 Testing Plan
• HMNR Infection Control Policy

Policies for reporting outbreaks to public health officials in accordance with applicable laws and regulations which are included in the following:

• HMNR Outbreak Management Policy
• HMNR COVID-19 Pandemic Plan
• HMNR Infection Control Policy

Lessons Learned from COVID-19

• Communication between residents/patients and their families is vital during outbreaks, especially when visitation is restricted. Video conferencing, Facetime, and phone calls were implemented to ensure residents/patients were able to maintain contact with each other.
• Communication from facilities to patients/residents, families and staff regarding outbreak status and updates is necessary to allay fears and concerns. A call-in number was established to provide updated information to all, and staff huddles, and education sessions were utilized to keep staff updated.
• Communication between physicians and patients/residents can be supplemented with Telehealth.
• Stress relief for staff prevents can assist staff and prevent burn -out which can impact staffing.
• Partnering with Occupational Health allows for control of ill or exposed staff returning to work when appropriate. Communication with Occupational Health was established early on to ensure a smooth process for managing ill/exposed staff.

Please contact us if you need any additional information or for any question or concerns.