The Bureau of Human Services Licensing provided the Long Term Care Visitation guidance document from the PA Department of Health. This document can be found online at the following link:

Long Term Care Facility (LTCF) Visitation Guidance Long-term care

Please continue to monitor the Department of Health’s website for additional information which may be found at the following link: https://www.health.pa.gov/topics/disease/Pages/Coronavirus.aspx

Additionally, the question has come up regarding the use of hand sanitizers in Personal Care Homes and Assisted Living Residences.  Please be aware of the following best practices to ensure resident safety while preventing the spread of viruses:

1. “Poisonous materials” include any item labeled “seek medical attention if swallowed” or “contact Poison Control Center if swallowed.” These labels occasionally appear on basic personal hygiene items such as toothpaste, mouthwash, deodorant, hand sanitizer, or shampoo.  Rather than securing these items in a locked area, homes may assess a resident’s ability to safely use these items on the resident assessment-support plan, even if the resident cannot safely use other poisonous materials.
2. Consider the use of hand sanitizer wipes.  These may be particularly useful in a secure dementia care unit, or around other residents who are assessed to be unsafe around hand sanitizers.