Webinar: COVID-19 Separation/Quarantine Units & Senior Living Best Practices

Kenneth Daily
LNHA & Life Safety and Emergency Preparedness Specialist

Kenn shares his thoughts on best practices, including facility lockdown, accessing PPE and the physical installation of barriers required to create separation or quarantine units. Not just theory, Kenn has been serving as the administrator of a 92-bed community severely impacted by the COVID-19 virus, with more than 35 positive cases and six deaths.

What is an Incident Commander (IC) and what is their role in a community?

An Incident Commander is a boots-on-the-ground, in-the-facility leader who manages resources, staffing, PPE and crisis response on a daily basis. These tasks cannot be done remotely, so administrators, directors of nursing and corporate leadership must be inside their healthcare facilities. It’s critical as conditions continue to evolve.

What is a separation/quarantine zone and what are some things to consider in these areas?

Many hospitals have isolation units that act as a containment area. However, Senior Living communities are not constructed in the same way as hospitals so they don’t have a dedicated space for true isolation. To try to replicate this approach, communities should try to create physical separation zones for residents who are suspected to be infected or have tested positive. In these designated areas, attention is focused on the disease process and recovery, where all personnel are wearing PPE and being mindful of requirements while the rest of the community can function as normally as possible.

Here are some important considerations when setting up separation zones:

• Maximize the efficient allocation of PPE resources for separation zones rather than the entire community
• Encourage electronic resident activities via telephone, Facetime and social media, as well as “window sessions,” to sustain engagement
• Ensure frequent communication about policies with residents, staff and families

What materials are needed to create flexible walls for separation zones?

• 2½" to 3" drywall screws
• Staple gun and wood staples
• Duct tape
• 2 x 6 for footer
• Two concrete blocks

You will want to be sure to have enough materials for two walls to create a vestibule. It is also recommended to ensure access to an exit door.

What should be considered for the vestibule area?

First and foremost, hand sanitizer should be readily available for staff as they head in and out of the separation zone. Additional supplies and equipment should be located in a dedicated staff space as well. If possible, turn off central airflow from the unit and consider turning on all bathroom fans to help clean “dirty” air. The Incident Commander will need to develop policies for who is allowed into the separation zone, including the delivery of food, mail and linens, and trash removal.

What supplies should be kept inside the separation zone?

It’s important to avoid unnecessary entrances or exits to your separation unit once implemented. Therefore, strong considerations in the planning or preparation stage should be on the management of necessary supplies and dedication of specific care equipment to the unit. Supplies may include:

• Dedicated crash cart stationed outside the zone
• Dedicated housekeeping cart with mop, broom and dustpan
• Office supplies, including pens, highlighters and paper
• Clean linen cart/storage unit
• Resident lift equipment
• Ice chest and large cups for water

What steps should be taken prior to entering the separation zone?

Prior to entering the zone, staff should be sure to leave personal items outside, use the restroom beforehand, and wash hands with soap and water. Signs should be posted to remind staff of proper PPE wear and removal procedures as well as limited access to necessary personnel only. Supplemental supplies should be brought in by a dedicated staff member. Most importantly, limit the number of times staff are entering and exiting the separation zone.

What does the food and hydration process look like?

Dietary staff will deliver meals to the separation zone on a cart and notify the nursing staff that meals have arrived. Meal trays should include a large Styrofoam cup filled with ice and water for each resident. They should be passed through the zone by staff, from the cart outside to another cart inside. Care should be taken to ensure there is no contact with the plastic walls or other staff members. Before leaving the area, delivery staff should perform proper hand hygiene. The reverse process should take place after meals and trays are collected. Return the cart and dishes to the kitchen, and clean and disinfect them as usual.

What about the linen and trash process?

All dirty linens should be rolled from outside to inside and placed in a plastic bag, which will then be tied closed. Bags will be removed from rooms and placed in a covered, no-touch container. When the container is full, its bag should be tied closed, removed, carried through the separation zone and placed into another covered dirty linen container to be taken to laundry. Trash will be collected in the same way and taken to the dumpster. Both trash and dirty linens should leave the facility through the direct exit door. Laundry can be retrieved for cleaning from outside the facility.

By vigilantly following these guidelines, you can help protect your community.

TELS is here to help you through this difficult situation with tools, guides, best practices (such as this webinar) and more. A new TELS Checklist is available now for your organization to customize, share and implement to support you as your community prepares for COVID–positive residents.

Sign in to your account today at TELS.net for this or other COVID-19-specific resources that can help you convert policy into action, heighten visibility and communication, or simply help with everyday building management. Not yet a TELS user? Click to access or download the TELS Separation Unit guide now.