ICF Visitor Policy

Open Door Intermediate Care Facility (ICF) Visitor Post-Pandemic Policy (Park West and Johnstown Facilities)

Our agency recognizes that the lack of in-person engagement with family and friends who live outside of the facility may significantly diminish a person’s quality of life, making visits necessary to address the person’s emotional wellness despite potential risks.

During the recent COVID pandemic, Open Door had to follow guidance of local, state, and federal entities which required consideration of the following when approving visits:

• Is facility clear of quarantine/isolation cases for staff and individuals?
• Is facility clear of staff positive cases (for 14 days since last staff who tested positive was in facility)?
• Have other factors increased risk of exposure to COVID-19 in the last 14 days with/without COVID-19 consequences?

Since the Public Health Emergency and guidance for visitations were lifted as of May 11th, 2023, all Open Door service sites have re-evaluated all policies and procedures to reflect post-pandemic approaches.

Guidelines

The following are guidelines for the visitations effective June 1st, 2023 for locations at Park West and Johnstown:

1. Each facility will follow established isolation procedures when active/suspected cases of conditions listed in infection control policies exist. The emergency response for visitations will be according to the current color status of the facility. This will be listed on front door color-coding at facility.
2. If an individual, home, or site have active/suspected cases of infection, the designated sites will post “purple” status on areas that are affected.
3. The emergency response for visitations will be according to the current color status of the facility. This will be listed on front door color-coding at facility.

How We Ensure Safety and Security

To ensure the safety and security of all individuals, the facility requests that all visitors:

• Enter through the front door of the facility and sign-in with completion of screening acknowledgement.  No visitor is permitted to just go onto grounds past front office building (Park West) or past entry way (Johnstown) without staff knowing they are there. 
• Review health risks and the importance of taking steps to protect everyone at the facility including not visiting if they are feeling ill in any way or have been exposed to any communicable disease for the recommended period of time
• Be understanding that visitation may need to be canceled, delayed, or rescheduled on short notice depending on isolation status change indicating purple level
• Try to visit during typical hours from 9a-7p (unless otherwise requested through Program Director)
• In order to ensure that the individual is up and ready with all meds and personal care handled, that they are not on a scheduled appointment or outing in the community, we ask that visitors provide at least one-hour notice of their intention to visit to scheduling phone 614-817-2332.
• Any special arrangements or requests (which include requests to enter homes), must be pre-approved through the Program Director (Kim Eilerman) keilerman@opendoorcolumbus.org
• Visitors are permitted to bring food and eat with individual during visit (according to individual texture modification and dietary guidance).  Visitors may also bring any activities to participate in during visitors or request to use facility activities during visit.
• Visits may occur in open area in office, activity room, or designated visitation room (if not in use) or outdoors as listed above.
• In order to ensure that the individual is not on a scheduled appointment or outing in the community, we ask that visitors provide at least one-hour notice of their intention to visit to scheduling phone 614-817-2332.
• Any special arrangements or requests (which include requests to enter homes), must be pre-approved through the Program Director (Kim Eilerman) keilerman@opendoorcolumbus.org

During Purple Status

This indicates that active COVID spread is present in facility and isolation procedures are in place. Special protocols must be followed. Staff working in isolation space must adhere to respiratory protection plan requiring full PPE. Therefore, visitations will be cancelled and rescheduled for after isolation period. Families/guardians will be notified of this status and encourage virtual visit opportunities to maintain contact.

Virtual Visiting Opportunities

Open Door has virtual options for visitations through Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Facetime on IPADS, phone, provided by CCHS (may be utilized at any time with pre-scheduled notice to ensure connectivity).

Private Indoor Visitation Spaces

Park West has a designated space inside the administration building and Johnstown has front room area for private, indoor visitations.  Park West allows visits in open office area, outside courtyard-sensory garden and activity room (when not in use). 

For Johnstown, the visitor should ring doorbell and be screened/sign- in front entry way and then go to front entry room our back patio area as the designated spaces for private visit. 

ICF staff will ensure proper sanitation of all surfaces and room between visits. (If at any time, visitors are not adhering to safety practices, the visit may be ended and the team will discuss other options for future visits).

Visits to Family/Friend’s Homes

All facilities also do our very best to assist with ensuring that individuals can visit family and friends outside of facility.  Requests for visits must be made through the individual’s team in advance so that all necessary arrangements for medications and needs can be addressed.  If the home that the individual resides in is in isolation or quarantine status, the visit may be rescheduled.