Safe Start for Long-Term Care Announced * Goes into Effect August 12th
Gov. Jay Inslee and officials from the state Department of Health and Department of Social and Health Services announced a phased plan for long-term care facilities (LTCF) to safely allow visitors, provide trips for residents outside the facility, group activities, and more. It goes into effect August 12.
As with schools, allowable activities at LTCFs depends on sustained prevention of COVID-19 transmission in the community.
LTCF status starts with which Safe Start phase its county is in,and takes additional factors into account. Those additional factors include local virus activity, facility access to testing and personal protective equipment, capacity at local hospitals, and virus activity within the facility. Before moving into a new phase, a facility or agency must go 28 days without a resident/client or staff member testing positive for COVID-19 and have a minimum 14-day supply of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) on hand. There is not an application process to move to the next phase! You will need to check with your local health jurisdiction before moving on-but no application is required.
Information about the Safe Start for Long-Term Care plan is available on the FamHelp page of DSHS’s website.
Safe Start Recommendations and Requirements – AFH-ALF-ESF 08-05-20
Safe Start Recommendations and Requirements NH-ICF_IID 08-05-20
What is Allowed Long-Term Care
DOH Risk Assessment Template and Letter for Community Visit
Questions?
Contact:
Laura Hofmann, MSN, RN – Director of Clinical and Nursing Facility Regulatory Services
c: 425-231-4804