Pandemic Emergency Plan (PEP)
Submission Date: September 15, 2020
It is a requirement under Chapter 114 of the Laws of 2020, specifically related to Section 2803 of the public health law; subdivision 12 to have a special focus for emergency preparedness on pandemics and that each skilled nursing facility under NYS DOH regulation is to create a detailed Pandemic Emergency Plan (PEP). The following plan submitted on behalf of Absolut Center will feature NYSDOH PEP requirements within Annex E: Infectious Disease/Pandemic Emergency, Hazard Annex K: Infectious Disease, and within our facility specific Hazards Vulnerability Assessment (HVA). Chapter 114 of the Laws of 2020:
Section 2803 of the public health law is amended by adding a new subdivision 12 to read as follows:
12. (a) each residential health care facility shall, no later than Ninety days after the effective date of this subdivision and annually thereafter, or more frequently as may be directed by the commissioner, prepare and make available to the public on the facility’s website, and immediately upon request, in a form acceptable to the commissioner, a pandemic emergency plan which shall include but not be limited to:
(a) The Absolut Center PEP was submitted to the NYSDOH on Tuesday, September 15, 2020. This plan along with our facility EMP will be reviewed annually during the month of September and more frequently if needed. The Administrator is responsible for this.
12. (i) a communication plan:
(a) to update authorized family members and guardians of infected residents at least once per day and upon a change in a resident’s condition and at least once a week to update all residents and authorized families and guardians on the number of infections and deaths at the facility, by electronic or such other means as may be selected by each authorized family member guardian;
(b) Our communication team is comprised of Administrator, DON, ADON, unit managers, Social Workers, and Activity Director. This team will place a phone call to family members and/or guardians of infected residents detailing the aforementioned information located in section 12(i)(a). o Absolut Center utilizes a Robocall system to communicate with families/representatives. Families and legal representatives are updated through this robocall system by the Administrator. The system allows the facility to make phone calls via mass calling. This system can be used in place of our communication team unless a personal call is required. o Social Media outlets can and are utilized to inform our family members/legal representatives and the public. Facebook is our main social media outlet and is overseen by the Administrator and HR Director. And (b) that includes a method to provide all residents with daily access,
At no cost, to remote videoconference or equivalent communication methods with family members and guardians; and
(c) Residents are able to retrieve electronic daily access to any information under 12 (i)(a) using tablets to access our page. Information is also disseminated via letters/memos addressed to them. (d) Absolut Center has multiple tablets to be utilized for resident videocalls. These tablets are used for therapeutic relief but also to video conference/chat with their families/legal representatives at no cost. Videocalls are set up and resident assistance offered by our Director of Activities, Social Workers, and Guest Relation employees. (e) Absolut Center “Communication During Covid-19” policy has been updated and revised on 9/8/2020 to reflect 12 (i)(a) and (b) regulations. (ii) protection plans against infection for staff, residents, and families, including:
(a) a plan for hospitalized residents to be readmitted to such residential health care facility after treatment, in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations;
• A plan is in place and established for hospitalized residents to be readmitted to Absolut Center after treatment, in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations. Same procedure and responsibilities as detailed with our “Bed Hold” policy, that was revised to fit this regulation on 9/14/20, will be followed for any resident that had an infectious and/or communicable disease. The purpose of this is to ensure bed availability upon return to the facility from a short hospitalization or therapeutic leave. The Admissions Director oversees this. And
(b) A plan for such residential health care facility to maintain or contract to have at least a two-month supply of personal protective equipment.
• Absolut Center will have a two-month supply of personal protective equipment available at all times.
• The PPE burn rate is routinely calculated through our facility specific daily HERDS survey and weekly CDC submissions. The Administrator and Central Supply is responsible for ordering, counting and keeping record of PPE levels.
• PPE is securely stored in a protective area. And
(iii) a plan for preserving a resident’s place in a residential healthcare facility if such resident is hospitalized in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations.
• As aforementioned in 12 (ii)(a); a plan is in place and established for hospitalized residents to be readmitted to Absolut Center after treatment, in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations. Same procedure and responsibilities as noted with the “Bed Hold” policy, that was revised to fit this regulation on 9/14/20, will be followed for any resident that had an infectious and/or communicable disease. (a) The residential health care facility shall prepare and comply with the pandemic emergency plan. Failure to do so shall be a violation of this subdivision and may be subject to civil penalties pursuant to section twelve and twelve-b of this chapter. (b) Within thirty days after the residential health care facility’s receipt of written notice of noncompliance such residential healthcare facility shall submit a plan of correction in such form and manner as specified by the commissioner for achieving compliance with its plan and with the applicable regulations. The commissioner shall ensure each such residential healthcare facility complies with its plan of correction and this subdivision.
β 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
