During a pandemic, proper planning can be the difference between life and death, especially for vulnerable populations who live in close quarters, such as nursing homes. To keep your loved one safe, caregivers must follow the latest state and federal guidelines governing their type of facility. Guidelines, which may change by the day, can typically be found by reviewing the CMS and CDC websites, among other official sources.
Read the CMS guidelines for long-term care facilities dated April 2, 2020.
Nursing homes must have proper plans and protocols in place to prevent harm to patients:
- Details on their quarantine policy
- Steps they’re taking to reduce infection
- Screening policies for staff and visitors
- The staff’s use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE)
- The ease of transfer to local hospitals
- The facility’s use of separate staffing to avoid cross-exposure between neighboring facilities
If you suspect your loved one is in danger or that their facility isn’t following best practices, try talking with the Administrator or Director of Nursing about your concerns. If they fail to resolve the issue, consider reporting your concerns to the agency that oversees nursing homes in your state or to the CMS.
You can also reach out to us to discuss injuries to your loved one.