Chief Medical Officer of Health Developments
On May 25, Alberta’s Chief Medical Officer of Health (CMOH) released a new Order that provided guidance on operational and outbreak standards for continuing care. The Brenda Strafford Foundation has reviewed the changes and risk management considerations associated with this new Order, and has developed a plan to implement these operational changes in a safe and precautionary way for the protection of our residents, staff and service providers.
Introduction of Hair Salon/Barber Services
We are pleased to announce the reintroduction of Hair Salon and Barber services in continuing care permitted now when a site is not in COVID-19 outbreak status. The Foundation’s operations team is working with our providers to recommence Hair Salon and Barber services at our sites not on outbreak starting on June 10.
Please take note of the following considerations:
- Hairdressing or barbering services are not permitted in the case of a confirmed COVID-19 outbreak.
- Hairdressing or barbering services must not be provided to symptomatic or isolated residents.
- Site specific circumstances may disrupt the service offerings or cancel them entirely for a period of time.
- Services are subject to enhanced cleaning, infection prevention and control and physical distancing practices.
Resident Access to Health Professionals
As the broader community opens up and services resume, residents of continuing care are still encouraged to remain on-site except in the case of necessity (e.g. for medically necessary appointments in consultation with your care team). Wherever possible, services should continue to be provided virtually. When services cannot be provided virtually, services may be provided in person within the site, if the resident is not isolated, and with health/risk screening and relevant safety precautions in place. When a resident is isolated, decisions about accessing services will be made on a case-by-case basis.
When it is medically necessary for a resident to access services off-site (i.e. in the practitioner’s office):
- Ensure that the health provider the resident is seeing is aware of any symptoms the resident is currently experiencing if applicable, in advance of arriving for the appointment.
- Arrangements should be made with the practitioner’s office to book an appointment time where the resident’s potential contact with others is reduced.
- Ensure transportation arrangements are as safe as possible.
- Operators will provide masks for the resident to use while they are at the off-site appointment.
- It is recommended that the resident bring hand sanitizer and use after each touchpoint (e.g. after getting out of vehicle, upon arrival to office, after interaction with reception, etc.).
- The resident must be screened (Health Assessment) upon re-entry into the facility where they live.
- Until further notice, The Foundation will continue to implement a precautionary isolation period for all residents returning from off-site essential health services. This precautionary isolation will now be reduced to a 5 day period and residents can come off isolation with a negative COVID-19 test after 5 days. This isolation precaution is over-and-above the requirement of the CMOH Order, but has recently been reduced from a 14 day isolation requirement.
Expanded Therapeutic Recreation
Recreational and group activities for non-isolated residents are permitted and encouraged when a site is not on outbreak status. It is recommended that previously cancelled activities are reintroduced incrementally. Low risk activities should be introduced first (e.g. activities that do not use shared equipment and are suitable to physical distancing requirements). Higher risk activities (such as group singing, preparing food, etc.) should be avoided.
Both indoor and outdoor group sizes may be increased to no more than 15 people, including residents and staff members, while ensuring the space is able to accommodate all physical distancing requirements. It is ideal to keep group sizes as small as possible.
Additional Developments from The Brenda Stafford Foundation
In addition to these directives in accordance with the CMOH Order, The Foundation has been reviewing our practices in relation to the delivery of essential supplies, companion services and screening criteria for outdoor visits.
Delivery of Essential Supplies
In consultation with BSF’s Medical Directors and Alberta Health Services guidelines, it is understood the virus generally only survives for a few hours on a surface or object, but it may be possible for it to survive several days under some conditions. To be safe, it is recommended by Alberta Health Services that families and visitors please continue to refrain from bringing unessential gifts at this time. However, we also know that residents continue to need access to essential supplies and families are eager to ensure that their loved ones continue to receive items that are essential to their health and well-being, and are necessities of daily life.
We are pleased to introduce the following guidelines for the delivery of essential items:
- Everything that is dropped off must be in a wipeable container (i.e. box or bag) that is clearly labelled with the resident’s name, and the name and phone number of the person delivering the items. As a general guideline, package should be no bigger than approximately the size of a cereal box.
- The container, and all items within the package, will be sanitized before delivery to the resident.
- Any clothing items will be sent directly to the Housekeeping and Laundry department for labelling and laundering.
- Deliveries are to be made to the Screening Station at the single designated entry to the site.
- Designated drop-off times for essential items are Monday-Friday days between 10am-2pm or evenings between 5-8pm, or Saturday-Sunday days between 10am-2pm. Deliveries will not be accepted outside of these times without approval.
- No exchange of items will be permitted with the resident during outdoor visits. Visitors may bring items at the same time as outdoor visits coinciding with the designated drop-off times and following all protocols before/after the visit.
- Accepted items include: personal hygiene and toiletry products (incontinence shampoo, conditioner, body wash, creams, lotions, etc.); calorie supplements/meal replacement items (Boost, Ensure, etc.); packaged and non-perishable food; necessary additional clothing/undergarments and shoes; magazines, books and electronic devices; flowers/plants.
- Not accepted items include: meals and perishable food (exceptions for homemade and perishable food may considered on an individual basis if it has an essential requirement at the approval of the Administrator). If you have a special request to bring an item that you believe is essential, and is not included in the list of accepted items, please request a review on a case-by-case basis with the Administrator.
Companion Services
We have heard from families who want to the option for paid companion services for residents. BSF will continue to restrict the entry of external companion services (i.e. agencies) at this time. However, we are reviewing the possibility of allocating in-house Foundation staff to offer companion services for residents as part of the Auxiliary Services (charges will apply) using in-house existing staff. More information will be provided soon on this process at each site.
Screening and Restrictions for Outdoor Visits
Public health guidelines continue to not recommend any non-essential out of province travel at this time. As such, BSF includes out of province travel as part of our Health and Risk Assessment screening criteria for Outdoor Visits. Recent travel from out of province will not automatically exclude a visitor from participating in an Outdoor Visit, and Administrators may approve those who have recently traveled from out of province on a case-by-case basis, depending on the location and assessed risk.
BSF has now expanded our Outdoor Visit guidelines to include children. There is no age restriction on visitors, however children (under 18 years of age) must be accompanied by an adult, and a child of any age counts as the second visitor.
We know these are important developments for our residents and families. We are pleased to be able to further support our mission to optimize well-being and enrich lives within the unusual challenges we all face at this time.
BSF Strong!
Mike Conroy
President and CEO
