Purpose:  Eliminate exposure of clients and staff to Coronavirus and minimize risk of COVID-19 disease while maintaining, and in some instances, increasing critical behavioral health services. 

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These policies are being implemented on an emergency basis in response to the unprecedented Coronavirus pandemic. The overall goal is to reduce both patient and staff exposure to the Coronavirus while at the same time maintaining the critical services that New Dawn Center provides to the community.

 

The policies outlined below have been developed recognizing that many of the individuals served are at increased risk should they develop COVID-19 disease while simultaneously being at increased need of critical behavioral health care.

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The policies and procedures are outlined below under categories as related to cleaning / sanitation, staff, outpatient services, residential services and testing. 

 

Cleaning / sanitation

Clients and staff will increase how often main areas and restrooms are cleaned, along with frequently used equipment and surfaces such as the copy machine, countertops and door handles. In addition, maintenance staff will follow the recommendations and guidelines developed by the CDC for the use of the proper disinfecting and sanitizing products, along with their instructions for use. The New Dawn facility will be using electrostatic sanitizing once per week to help decrease the spread of germs. 

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Residential Services

In addition to the staff screening, all clients in residential care need to be monitored daily for COVID-19 symptoms to include twice daily temperatures. The COVID-19 symptoms are to be logged for each client daily. 

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Visitation on the residential side is suspended, all visitors must drop stuff outside and leave, staff will inspect the belongings and give to client.  Failure to adhere to this policy could result in suspension or termination from program. Telephone and video conferencing will be utilized as a tool to assist clients to maintain contact with family and friends. Video or telephonic communications will be utilized for court service officers and others who may need to have contact with clients.    

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COVID Testing 

New Dawn is now CLIA certified and is able to preform COVID tests on site as they are available. 

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Staff

Staff members are required to contact the director and clinical supervisor before returning to work after having traveled out of state. The Director or clinical supervisor will determine if and when the staff member should return to work. The director may require medical clearance from the staff member’s health care provider or alternatively may require the staff member to have symptoms monitored at work.

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Staff self-isolation (for a designated amount of time, as determined by the agency nurse and medical director) is appropriate should the staff member have close contact with a COVID-19 positive patient.

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Close contact is defined by the CDC as having been within 6 feet of another person who is positive for COVID-19 for more than 10 minutes or having been exposed to secretions of someone who is positive for COVID-19.  Staff should follow recommendations of their health care provider. COVID-19 staff positive testing may be required to return to work following any period of self-isolation.

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Staff members who work on or provide services in the residential building are required to be screened one time per day. The screening is to occur immediately upon entering the agency in the designated area. The screening is to include a checklist of symptoms as well as temperature pending the availability of thermometers. The screening will be kept in a log for each day with the name of staff and the results of the screening. Any staff member who is positive on the screen will not be allowed in the agency.

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All staff members, to include outpatient and inpatient are to self-screen for symptoms on an ongoing basis and should stay at home should they have any flu like symptoms, e.g. fever, dry cough, sore throat, body aches, shortness of breath.

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Staff members should wash hands frequently following prescribed hand washing procedures in accordance with the CDC and the Department of Health.

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Staff members should practice social distancing, to include maintaining a distance from others while avoiding hand shaking and hugging.

Staff is also responsible for keeping their personal work areas and main work areas clean and disinfected. Use sanitary wipes and/or cleaning solution provided by maintenance staff. Help maintenance staff with wiping door handles and other frequently used common areas. Again, follow the instructions provided by the CDC and the SD Department of Health.

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Staff with questions or concerns may utilize the South Dakota COVID hotline which is 1-800-997-2880 or they may refer to the CDC and the South Dakota Department of Health website.

https://doh.sd.gov/news/Coronavirus.aspx  https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html