You asked:
Does a facility have to move a COVID-19 positive resident to a designated COVID isolation unit, or can a facility choose to care for them in place?
We answered:
No, a facility does not have to move the COVID-19 positive resident and may choose to isolate in place. For example, a facility that has one to two positive cases, and does not wish to hinder resident care by placing them in another area of the building, could opt to isolate that resident in their current placement. Additionally, a facility may be unable to appropriately staff a separate isolation area like they have in the past. When isolating in place, facilities should ensure they maintain infection control practices such as: not placing another resident in that room while on transmission-based precautions, keeping the door closed, and maintaining infection control practices like utilizing an isolation cart outside the room and donning appropriate PPE before entering. LeadingAge Ohio encourages facilities to work with their local health department as appropriate.
If you have a question you’d like answered in You Asked/ We Answered, submit it to COVID19@leadingageohio.org.