Tuesday, March 29, 2022

Comprehensive Mitigation Guidance Update

 

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment updated the All-in-One Mitigation Guidance for residential care facilities, including nursing homes, assisted living facilities, group homes, and intermediate care facilities. 
 
Please join the CDPHE Infection Prevention Program and Residential Care Strike Team this Wednesday, March 30 from noon - 1 p.m. to discuss the changes included in the guidance. You will not need to register for this extra call, please use the link that you currently use to join the bi-weekly call. We will discuss the updated guidance and will resume our normal biweekly webinar schedule next week, April 6, 2022.  

You are invited to a Zoom webinar. 
When: Apr 6, 2022 12:00 PM Mountain Time (US and Canada) 
Topic: CDPHE COVID call with LTCFs

If you have not already done so, register in advance for this webinar:

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
 
Summary of Recent Guidance Changes (March 28, 2022):

  • Replaced the term “unvaccinated” with “not up to date” with all recommended COVID-19 vaccine doses.
  • Removed the definition of “fully vaccinated.”
  • Removed the definition of “Unvaccinated, partially vaccinated and individuals with unknown vaccination.” 
  • Added definition of up to date with recommended COVID-19 vaccines.
  • Reworded the definition of “source control” to be consistent with CDC guidance. 
  • Changes made to the length of quarantine for asymptomatic residents who are up to date with their vaccination. Changes are found in the section “Manage Residents who had Close Contact with Someone with SARS-CoV-2 Infection (Quarantine)” and the “Testing Table.” 
  • Added new CDC content to the “Optimize the Use of Engineering Controls and Indoor Air Quality” section that promotes eliminating exposures by shielding HCP and other residents from infected individuals (e.g. physical barriers and dedicated pathways).
  • Removed bullet referring to outdoor visitation. 
  • Reformatted the resident and visitor section of the Source Control table to combine the physical distancing and source control requirements. 
  • Added clarifying language to the Evaluating and Managing Personnel, Residents, and Visitors (p.24) section and the Visitation section “Even if they have met community criteria to discontinue isolation or quarantine, visitors should not visit if they have any of the following and have not met the same criteria used to discontinue isolation and quarantine for residents.”
  • Updated the section Manage Residents who had Close Contact with Someone with SARS-CoV-2 Infection (Quarantine) –p. 26– with the following: “Residents can be removed from transmission-based precautions after day seven following the exposure (day 0) if a viral test is negative for SARS-CoV-2 and they do not develop symptoms. The specimen should be collected and tested within 48 hours before the time of planned discontinuation of transmission-based precautions.”
  • Updated multiple elements in the Testing Table (p.35), including: 
  • Added a banner above the Testing Table that indicates “CDC’s new COVID-19 Community Levels recommendations do not apply in healthcare settings, such as hospitals and nursing homes.”
  • Changed testing requirements for residents with close contact and health care workers with higher-risk exposures. 
  • Changed requirements for return to work for HCP who are not up to date with all recommended COVID-19 vaccine doses. “Exclude from work. HCP can return to work after day seven following the exposure (day 0) if a viral test is negative for SARS-CoV-2 and HCP does not develop symptoms. The specimen should be collected and tested within 48 hours before the time of planned return to work (e.g., in anticipation of testing delays).”
  • Removed testing table content related to travel. Travel activities should be evaluated to determine if the HCP meets criteria for a high risk exposure.
  • Changed requirements for return to work for HCP who are not up to date with all recommended COVID-19 vaccine doses. “Exclude from work. HCP can return to work after day seven following the exposure (day 0) if a viral test is negative for SARS-CoV-2 and HCP does not develop symptoms. The specimen should be collected and tested within 48 hours before the time of planned return to work (e.g., in anticipation of testing delays).”
  • Added a testing section for New Admissions and Residents who have left the facility for >24 hours. 
  • Updated EMResource section clarifying that required reporting into EMResource has been moved from weekly to bi-monthly to match the required reporting frequency in COHFI. The first report shall occur during reporting period one (1st to 14th day of the month) and the second report shall occur during reporting period two (15th day through the last day of the month).

Questions? Email cdphe_covid_infection_prevention@state.co.us and residentialcarestriketeam@state.co.us. If you have any questions on who to contact, see this flyer.

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