We are still in the reporting stage for COVID and the Infection Control stage in Texas. An ICF facing a COVID outbreak - defined as one resident or one staff having a COVID positive test result - must call the reporting hotline. Once the facility calls the reporting hotline, they are told to email the report to the state through the reporting system. The steps for reporting and results of that report have been explained in several provider letters, but a brief review is:
1. Call to report - get told the email to send the report to Austin.
2. Report to the email address providing the needed information such as vendor number, etc.
3. Continue infection control procedures and follow your facility plan.
4. Within 5 days, send in the investigation report.
5. Usually, within 24 hours, expect an on-site visit from HHSC to review your Infection Control procedures.
Because COVID is constantly changing and mutating, the above procedures in Texas are not likely to go away anytime soon. Therefore, self-Reporting, Infection Control, and entry screening will be the norm for some time to come.
As a facility, there are several things you can do to help minimize a COVID outbreak. First, all facilities should consider the following:
1. Is the infection control procedures up-to-date and effective?
2. Are we continuing to screen visitors, staff, and others entering the home - and documenting it?
3. Are we watching for signs of COVID?
4. Have residents been vaccinated, and have they received a booster?
5. Has the benefits of vaccination been explained to staff and offered?
6. Is the facility prepared for an outbreak - for example, is a plan is in place?
If we continue to focus on Infection Control, training, and we are prepared to act when a test is positive, we can get through this crisis. The road ahead will be long and hard, but with proper preparations and planning, there will eventually be a time when we see COVID level off and perhaps even become a rarity instead of the norm.
