The No Patient Left Alone Act

All Woodhouse Inc. consumers will have access to private visitors who follow established rules and regulations.  Consumers have the right to private, unsupervised visits from anyone they choose. Visitors are welcome to visit their loved ones during appropriate business hours, generally from 10 am to 7:00 pm on the weekend and holidays. Due to the dangers of distraction, visiting during mealtimes is discouraged, unless it is a meal planned for visitors. Monday – Friday families are encouraged to visit after 4:30 pm and leave by 7pm.   To maintain the privacy, dignity, and safety of the consumers, the following guidelines have been established by the Resident Government for all visitors: This Policy provides guidance to persons supported, families, employees, and all other stakeholders on the Organization’s protocols pertaining to visitation.

Overview

The Organization will follow Infection Control protocol recommendations from the Center for Disease Control (CDC), Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), federal, state, and local orders. All efforts will be made to prevent the spread of COVID-19 or other infectious diseases. All visitors will be encouraged to follow infection control protocols as listed on educational material from CDC on How to Protect Yourself and Others. Woodhouse may not require a vaccine as a condition to visitation and must allow for consensual physical contact between those supported and their loved ones. This policy and procedure may not be more stringent than what is required for staff. Therefore, visitors will not be subject to screening and personal protective equipment such as masks and gloves will be available upon request as needed

Essential Caregiver/In-Person Visitation Policy

Woodhouse shall maintain Resident Care Standards in a manner consistent and in compliance with the minimum standards required by current statute and rule.

Woodhouse will adhere to the following procedures regarding Florida Statute 408.823 (2)(a-d) In-Person Visitation and Florida Bill of Rights Statutes.

Woodhouse policy allows those supported to have visitors to support typical life experiences consistent with a person-centered approach and allows for such flexibilities to include the number of visitors which must meet or exceed the standards in ss. 400.022(1)(b) Bill of Rights and 429.28(1)(d) Resident Bill of Rights as applicable and length of visits at a minimum of 2 hours per day. Woodhouse has established additional visitation policies as required by Florida Statute 408.823 for resident visitation during these circumstances. The visitation policies and procedures required by this statute must allow in-person visitation by Essential Caregivers in all the following circumstances, unless the resident objects:

• End-of-life situations.
• A resident who was living with family before being admitted to the provider’s care is struggling with the change in environment and lack of in-person family support.
• The resident is making one or more major medical decisions.
• A resident is experiencing emotional distress or grieving the loss of a friend or family member who recently died.
• A resident needs cueing or encouragement to eat or drink which was previously provided by a family member or caregiver.
• A resident who used to talk and interact with others is seldom speaking.

• Residents may have no more than two visitors inside the facility during a visit. If a resident has more than two visitors, they will be asked to visit the non-common areas outside.

These protocols will be revised to reflect current information from CDC, CMS, federal, and state regulatory agencies.  The Chief Executive Officer, Administrator, Director of Social Services, Director of Health, Program Manager, Home Managers and Director of Operations are responsible for the adherence to visitation policies and procedures. Woodhouse will notify the consumers, legal guardians, and recurring visitors of any changes in the visitation policy.  All legal guardians, caregivers and consumers will be educated on the visitation policy upon admission and thereafter annually or as revision are made.