DHS COVID-19 HOME VISITATION PROTOCOL

DHS PROVIDER COVID-19 HOME VISITATION PROTOCOL

Overnight home visits may be appropriate for individuals residing in congregate or family-based settings in limited circumstances with strict protocols in place, and if a determination is made that lack of home visitation will prevent the individual from permanently returning home, or it is the consensus of the Person-Centered Planning Team, Child and Family Team, or other collaborative team that the home visit is in the best interest of the individual while not appreciably increasing the risk for the individual and others in their environment.

Providers must work with the individual’s team to determine if all protocols can be followed in full, and whether or not the health risks inherent to a home visit outweigh the potential benefit to the client; in making this determination, the health risks to others who live with the individual must also be carefully considered
Particular consideration must be made for high-risk individuals - the caregivers must have the ability to mitigate harm to high-risk individuals in the household who may be exposed to an individual participating in a home visit
Virtual visitation and supervised in-person visitation are the preferred methods, and caregivers should explore increasing the number of virtual visits or offering unmonitored virtual visits for clients
Vaccination Guidelines

If the determination is made by the team working with the individual that the home visit is in the best interest of the individual while not appreciably increasing the risk for the individual and others in their environment, the following protocols must be followed:

RECOMMENDATIONS BEFORE THE VISIT
✔	Strongly encouraged that all individuals residing in the home where the visit will take place answer COVID screening questions and have their temperature taken; strongly encouraged that a log be kept for follow up if needed
✔	Review and provide the handouts for reducing risk, social distancing, handwashing, and proper use of face coverings.
✔	Outline clear expectations for caregivers (where, who, what) to mitigate exposure in group settings. Expectations shall be established during the Child and Family Team meeting/person centered support team meeting. The team shall identify expectations for the client and family to mitigate exposure during the home visit
✔	Providers should consider “check-ins” with the family and client if needed that are established in the child and family or person centered support team meeting to ensure the visit is going as planned and provide any support to the family during the home visit
✔	Team works with families to find resources for masks.
✔	Curbside dropoff and pickup
RECOMMENDATIONS DURING THE VISIT
✔	Document “check-ins” if applicable (symptoms, contacts, concerns)
✔	Caregivers keep a list of contacts made during the home visit
RECOMMENDATIONS AFTER THE VISIT
✔	Strongly encourage the individual is screened and temperature is taken upon return
✔	Strongly encourage daily monitoring and documentation of symptoms along with all other clients
✔	For 14 days upon reentering the program: If possible, client should be in a separate room and use a separate bathroom Client should wear a face covering whenever they are not in their room and whenever 6 feet of physical distance cannot be maintained if they are in a shared room Have the client avoid group activities including dining to the greatest extent possible

The Utah DHS COVID-19 Guidance for Congregate Settings as of 6.26.20