ODP-Infection Control Mitigation for ODP HCBS Providers

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DHS COVID-19 PROVIDER RESOURCES // ODP

ODP Announcement 21-048: Guidance for Infection Control and Mitigation for ODP Home and Community Based Services Providers

Issued: July 1, 2020

Audience

All stakeholders

Purpose

To provide updated guidance to providers of ODP home and community-based services related to infection control procedures and mitigation of the spread of COVID-19.

Discussion

The following ODP announcements are obsolete and being replaced with the following guidance from the Pennsylvania Department of Health (PA DOH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and any future replacements of this guidance from the PA DOH and CDC.

Obsolete Guidance	New Guidance
ODP Announcement 20-066 Update: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): Guidance for Visitation in Residential Settings ODP Announcement 20-068 *Update*: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): Applying Department of Health Testing and Personal Protective Equipment Guidance for Long-Term Care Facilities’ Residents and Health Care Personnel to Community and Life Sharing Homes	CDC (www.cdc.gov) Guidance for Direct Service Providers Guidance for Direct Service Providers, Caregivers, Parents, and People with Developmental and Behavioral Disorders Guidance for Group Homes for Individuals with Disabilities PA DOH (www.health.pa.gov) 570-5/10/21-UPD: Response to an Outbreak and Residents with Exposure to COVID-19 for Long-term Care Facilities 569 -4/30/21-UPD: Work Restrictions for Healthcare Personnel with Exposure to COVID-19
ODP Announcement 20-088 *Update*: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): Guidance on Masks, Close Contact, Screening, and Handwashing	All direct support professionals (DSPs) should follow risk mitigation recommendations, which include, but are not limited to, infection prevention strategies for universal masking, screening, and handwashing as outlined in the below guidance. DSPs working in congregate settings including licensed community homes, adult training facilities, and prevocational facilities should continue to wear a mask because they are considered healthcare personnel for the purposes of PA DOH COVID-19 guidance. The CDC continues to recommend universal masking for all DSPs. CDC Guidance for Direct Service Providers PA DOH 568-4/30/21-ADV: Core InfectionPrevention and Control Measures for Longterm Care Facilities Guidance for Transportation During Service Provision CDC Protect Yourself When Using Transportation
ODP Announcement 20-101 *Updated*: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): Temporary Closure of Older Adult Daily Living Centers, Structured Day Habilitation, and Licensed Facilities Where Community Participation Support is Provided Due to Community Spread or When Staff or Individuals are Diagnosed with COVID-19, and the Process for Reopening Facilities	Community locations: When Community Participation Support (CPS) services are provided in community settings, state and local guidelines for physical distancing and masking for the applicable community setting should be followed. *Facility based CPS:* When CPS services are being providing in a facility the below guidance should be followed: CDC Participants at Adult Day Services Centersand their Caregivers Guidance for Adult Day Services Centers, Strategies for Administrators and Staff to Prevent the Spread of COVID-19 PA DOH 569-4/30/21-UPD: Work Restrictions for Healthcare Personnel with Exposure to COVID-19 566-04/28/21-UPD: Public Health Recommendations for People Fully Vaccinated Against COVID-19

This announcement, and the guidance contained within is intended to supplement—not replace—any federal, state, or local public health and safety laws, rules, and regulations with which providers of ODP home and community-based services must comply. Additionally, there may be instances where there are differences in CDC guidance from PA DOH guidance. In these instances, PA DOH guidance should be followed as the lead agency of the COVID-19 response for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Providers should take an individualized approach to determining appropriate risk mitigation strategies when working with individuals, including consideration of the Level of Community Transmission. Residential providers should consult DOH HAN 568 - 4/30/21 - ADV - Core Infection Prevention and Control Measures for Long-term Care Facilities when determining what precautions to take.
The following CDC guidance continues to recommend that individuals participating in facility-based day programs should continue to be physically distanced from each other: Participants at Adult Day Services Centers and their Caregivers and Guidance for Adult Day Services Center, Strategies for Administrators and Staff to Prevent the Spread of COVID-19.
Day programs no longer have a recommended trigger for closure based on a day program’s outbreak status or the level of community transmission. Additionally, fully vaccinated, and asymptomatic participants who were close contacts of someone with COVID-19 could continue to attend a day program but may need to quarantine at their residence. Communication, coordination, and collaboration between residential habilitation providers and day program providers on information related to COVID-19 symptoms and exposures is paramount to ensure appropriate action is taken for the health and safety of individuals.

ODP encourages any provider who has a question to reach out for clarification and support. The following resources can provide support as appropriate:

Regional Congregate Care Assistance Teams (RCAT)
PA DOH at 1-877-PA-HEALTH (1-877-724-3258)
Health Care Quality Units (HCQUs)
ODP Regional Offices

Questions about this announcement may be directed to RA-PWODPEMRGNCYRSPRQ@pa.gov