Policy Title: Facial Coverings, H-236
Purpose
In efforts to ensure health care choices for residents and visitors in accordance with current law, Paradise Pointe of Ormond beach implements a facial covering policy (mask policy) while recognizing that Florida law provides for exceptions to the business prohibitions on face coverings. This policy takes into account the exception provided for in law for health care related facilities.
Policy
It is the policy to allow residents, families, and guests with the freedom to make their own choices to live a free and unrestricted life at Paradise Pointe of Ormond Beach. In doing so, we will continue to provide a policy that provides for choice and indepenence in accordance with Florida law.
Facial coverings
Mask or other facial coverings shall only be required when a resident is in a common area and exhibiting signs or symptoms of or has a diagnosed infectious disease that can be spread through droplet or airborne transmission.
Facial Coverings/Masks are Appropriate in the following circumstances only:
- Health care practitioner and/or health care providers may choose to require a resident to wear a facial covering only when the resident is in a common area of the health care setting and is exhibiting signs or symptoms of or has a diagnosed infectious disease that can be spread through droplet or airborne transmission.
- Health care practitioner and or health care providers may choose to require a visitor to wear a facial covering only when the visitor is:
- Exhibiting signs/symptoms of or has a diagnosed infectious disease that can be spread through droplet or airborne transmission;
- In an area where sterile procedures are being performed;
- In treatment room or the resident’s room who is exhibiting signs or symptoms of or has a diagnosed infectious disease that can be spread through droplet or airborne transmission; or
- Visiting a resident whose treating health care practitioner has diagnosed the resident with or confirmed a condition affecting the immune system in a manner which is known to increase risk of transmission of an infection from employees without signs or symptoms of infection to a resident and whose treating practitioner has determined that the use of facial coverings is necessary for the resident’s safety.
- Opt-Out provisions for Facial Coverings/Mask:
- Residents can opt out of wearing a facial covering.
- Visitors can opt out of wearing a facial covering if an alternative method of infection control or infectious disease prevention is available.
- An employee shall be allowed to opt-out of facial covering requirements unless the employee is;
- Conducting a sterile procedure
- Working in an area where a sterile procedure is occurring
- Working with a resident whose treating health care practitioner has diagnosed the resident with or confirmed a condition affecting the immune system in a manner which is known to increase risk of transmission of an infection from employees without signs or symptoms of infection to a resident and whose treating practitioner has determined that the use of facial coverings is necessary for the resident’s safety
- With a resident on droplet or airborne isolation or
- Engaging in non-clinical potentially hazardous activities that require facial coverings to prevent physical injury or harm in accordance with industry standards.
Employee Requirements
Employees are strongly encouraged to comply with infection control policies and procedures and to act within the standards governed by usual and customary practices.
- Should an employee refuse to wear a mask when indicated, other types of protection will be available (i.e., face shield).
- If the employee assignment is contingent on the above requirements, an alternate assignment may be given. However, should no alternative work assignment be available the employee may be asked to leave work.