That is what came out of our surveys and I confirmed and reconfirmed several times, YES we have to wear eye protection for all patients regardless of COVID status.

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HI Greg,

Are you having a regular survey or an infection control survey?

Our HH & AL staff do wear both masks & face shields at every shift or visit, regardless of whether the client(s) have COVID or not.

Hey Guys,

Wondering if you guys have run into this?  Long and short of attached is we had one surveyor tell us we have to follow the congregate care rules of having to wear eye wear for all clients whether COVID positive or not.  Clearly we are not congregate setting, but we have one surveyor holding us to this guideline.   Are you having all staff wear eye protection at all times during the time in the home?

Thanks

Hi Greg,

Can we talk about this? We don’t have to today – but next week?

Wondering if you would want to address this issue with Home Care Association? ……sorry it is a little lengthy – but wanted to give you context.

The MN surveyors seem to be under the impression that “congregate” living applies to home care. The reason that is significant is that HCW in congregate settings must wear eye protection (goggles or shields) for all patients – all the time and guidelines are stricter.  This misinterpretation could be costly as eye protection averages about $2 (per Emily’s ) info.

They are using a “contingency” grid to support their position – there are multiple problems with applying congregate to home care AND it is new to their approach as well:  

• The grid used in May does not define home care as congregate – the definitions on the June grid does
• Their own website: https://link.zixcentral.com/u/989a2cf5/0HkHHFjB6hGUFLcrh3soMg?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.health.state.mn.us%2Fdiseases%2Fcoronavirus%2Fhcp%2Feval.html - addressing current guidance for testing – does NOT include home care in the definition

Current guidance for testing

• This guidance is intended to assist with prioritization of testing and is not intended to limit testing. Congregate settings are referred to throughout this guidance and include (but are not limited to) acute care, assisted living, skilled nursing, group homes, long-term care facilities, substance use disorder treatment centers, homeless shelters, and correctional facilities.

Home care cannot be grouped into the settings that are congregate ~ it is a gross misrepresentation of a single family home generally housing 1-2 people (if more, they are generally around with care – or can be requested to move to another room).

Congregate living requires much stricter guidelines BECAUSE by it challenges the tenets of social distancing

• definition (noun. a type of housing in which each individual or family has a private bedroom or living quarters but shares with other residents a common dining room, recreational room, or other facilities)

We are waiting for St Cloud to ‘clarify’ with her supervisor and we will see what happens with Grand Rapids ( in survey today).  The surveyor seemed pretty determined – but was going to check with her surveyor

Sue Reading

Chief Compliance Officer

Recover Health

952-358-3271  Ext: 1020

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Minnetonka MN  55343

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