Face Covering Policy

Use of Facial Coverings for Infection Control Policy #AL-014-FL:

The Sarabella Senior Living shall abide by the guidelines as set forth in the Florida Statutes, Chapter 408.824 Facial Covering Requirements for Health Care Practitioners and Health Care Providers and F.A.C. 59AER23-2 Standards for the Appropriate Use of Facial Coverings for Infection Control. The policy includes procedures for Residents, Team Members and Visitors as well as procedures for opting out of facial coverings under certain conditions.

Use of Facial Coverings for Infection Control Procedures:

RESIDENTS

The Sarabella Senior Living requires Residents to wear a mask when the resident is in a common area and is exhibiting signs or symptoms of or has been diagnosed with an infectious disease that can be spread through droplet or airborne transmission. A common area is an area within a health care facility where residents are not treated, diagnosed, or examined. Residents must be permitted to opt-out of wearing facial coverings.

VISITORS

The Sarabella Senior Living requires Visitors to wear to wear a facial covering when the visitor is:

1. exhibiting signs or symptoms of or has been diagnosed with an infectious disease that can be spread through droplet or airborne transmission,
2. in a sterile area or an area where sterile procedures are being performed,
3. in an in-resident or clinical room with a resident who is exhibiting signs or symptoms of or has a diagnosed infectious disease that can be spread through droplet or airborne transmission, or
4. visiting a resident who has been determined to have a compromised immune system increasing their risk of infection or whose practitioner has determined a mask is necessary for the resident’s safety. Visitors must be permitted to opt out of wearing a facial covering.

TEAM MEMBERS

The Sarabella Senior Living requires Team Members to wear to wear a facial covering when the team member is:

1.  exhibiting signs or symptoms of or has been diagnosed with an infectious disease that can be spread through droplet or airborne transmission,
2. in a sterile area or an area where sterile procedures are being performed,
3. providing care in a resident or clinical room with a resident who is exhibiting signs or symptoms of or has a diagnosed infectious disease that can be spread through droplet or airborne transmission, or
4. visiting a resident who has been determined to have a compromised immune system increasing their risk of infection or whose practitioner has determined a mask is necessary for the resident’s safety. Visitors must be permitted to opt out of wearing a facial covering.

The Sarabella Senior Living encourages all residents, visitors and team members to follow the policies for facial coverings. However, state regulations allow residents, visitors and team members to opt-out of wearing facial coverings. Residents are permitted to opt-out of wearing a facial covering as per the Department of Health Regulation F.S. 381.026, The Patient Bill of Rights which includes consideration for:

1. the resident’s right to make decision in an informed manner,
2. the resident’s right to have their individual dignity respected, and their responsibility to respect the reasonable and responsible expectations of the provider or facility.
3. The resident’s right to file a complaint with the appropriate agencies.

The Sarabella Senior Living posts a complaints poster in the common area and is included in the admission package.

The Sarabella Senior Living offers alternatives to facial coverings may include social distancing, outdoor visitation, transparent physical barriers, or other alternative types of facial covering.

The Sarabella Senior Living allows team members to opt-out of wearing a facial covering unless they are:

1. conducting sterile procedures,
2. working in a sterile area,
3. working with a resident who has been determined to have a compromised immune system increasing their risk of infection or whose practitioner has determined a mask is necessary for the resident’s safety, (4) with a resident on droplet or airborne isolation, or
4. engaging in non-clinical potentially hazardous activities that require facial coverings to prevent physical injury or harm in accordance with industry standards.