On March 14, 2020, the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) issued guidelines to restrict all visitors and nonessential personnel from long-term care facilities, except for visitors in compassionate care situations, as in end of life. On April 17, 2020, ISDH issued additional guidance regarding family visitation for end-of-life care.
Family visitation for end-of-life care should be made on a case-by-case basis and should weigh the risk of viral transmission with the need for compassionate end-of-life care. The following should be considered before allowing families to visit:
- The resident is thought, based on the clinical impression, to be at imminent risk of dying.
- The number of family members should be limited to no more than two (2) individuals.
- Family members must be carefully screened at entry for fever and respiratory symptoms.
- Family members who are in a high-risk category should be cautioned about the decision to visit a health care setting.
- Those with respiratory symptoms (i.e., fever, cough, shortness of breath) should not be permitted to enter the facility at any time, even in end-of-life situations.
Family members who are permitted visitation will be:
- Instructed before entry to the facility of the need to be screened for temperature and symptoms;
- Instructed of the risk of contracting COVID-19;
- Limited to specific locations; and
- Required to perform hand hygiene and wear personal protective equipment, including gloves, a gown, and a standard surgical facemask, if available.
Long-term care facilities may also set specific policies in terms of length of visits, times the visits can occur, and age limitations.
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