Standard
The facility will use facial coverings and face masks only as required to prevent the spread of infection, or as directed by local regulatory agencies including the local Department of Health, the CDC, or other governmental agencies as appropriate.
Policy Explanation and Guidelines
The facility may choose to require a resident to wear a facial covering only when the resident is in a common area of the facility and is exhibiting signs or symptoms of, or has been diagnosed with, an infectious disease that can be spread through droplet or airborne transmission.
The facility may choose to require a visitor to wear a facial covering only when the visitor is:
- Exhibiting signs or symptoms of, or has been diagnosed with, an infectious disease that can be spread through droplet or airborne transmission;
- In a sterile area of the health care setting, or an area where sterile procedures are being performed;
- In an in-patient or clinical room with a resident who is exhibiting signs or symptoms of, or has been diagnosed with, an infectious disease that can be spread through droplet or airborne transmission; or
- Visiting a resident whose treating health care practitioner has diagnosed or confirmed a condition affecting the immune system in a manner known to increase the risk of transmission of an infection from persons without signs or symptoms of infection, and whose treating practitioner has determined that the use of facial coverings is necessary for the resident’s safety.
Isolation Signage
Residents who require isolation based on an active infection and/or a compromised immune system will have signage placed on the outside of the room door identifying the type of isolation and alerting team members, providers, and visitors to the PPE required for entering the room, including face masks.
Resident Opt-Out
- If a resident with an active infection requiring droplet precautions requests to opt out of wearing the requested facial covering or face mask, they may do so by maintaining droplet precaution isolation in their room during the infectious phase of their infection.
- If a resident is not actively infected and requests to opt out of wearing the requested facial covering or face mask, they may do so once they have been educated on the risks of possible exposure. The education will be documented in the electronic medical record, and the care plan will be updated with the resident’s preferences.
Visitor Opt-Out
- Visitors who request to opt out of wearing facial coverings or face masks may do so if they do not present with signs or symptoms of an active infection. Visitors who opt out will be informed of the risk of exposure when not wearing a facial covering or face mask.
- Visitors who are not actively exhibiting signs and symptoms of an airborne illness will be allowed to visit the resident unrestricted, unless the resident is immunocompromised and there is a physician’s order requiring all persons entering the room to wear a facial covering or face mask to protect the resident.
Employee Use
A facility employee may opt out of wearing a facial covering or face mask unless the team member is:
- Conducting sterile procedures;
- Working in a sterile area;
- Working with a resident whose treating health care practitioner has diagnosed or confirmed a condition affecting the immune system in a manner known to increase the risk of transmission of an infection from an employee without signs or symptoms of infection, and whose treating practitioner has determined that the use of facial coverings is necessary for the resident’s safety;
- With a resident on droplet or airborne isolation; or
- Engaging in non-clinical, potentially hazardous activities that require facial coverings to prevent physical injury or harm in accordance with industry standards.
Employees will wear approved medical-grade face masks. No cloth face masks will be permitted.
Reference
Florida Statute 59AER23-2, Emergency Rule — Standards for Appropriate Use of Facial Covering for Infection Control.