On April 14, 2020, the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) Commissioner, Dr. Kristina Box, issued a State Health Commissioner’s Order concerning the relocation of long-term care facility residents during the public health emergency in order provide flexibility to long-term care facilities and ensure residents are being treated in the most appropriate setting.
Previously on April 9, 2020, the ISDH issued state requirements and guidance for the creation of dedicated COVID-19 units and buildings, but the guidance did not address when transfers were otherwise prohibited by an order from a local health officer or local health department.
Under the State Health Commissioner Order issued today, long-term care facilities are authorized to transfer, discharge, transport, or otherwise relocate patients or residents in accordance with the plans and guidance of ISDH, including transfers within a facility, transfers between facilities (including to and from hospitals), and transfers across city or county boundaries. Any local health officer order or local health department order concerning the transfer, discharge, transport, or other relocation of long-term care facility patients or residents that are contrary or inconsistent with the State Health Commissioner Order issued today are now void.
If you have any questions regarding the State Health Commissioner’s Order or the creation of dedicated COVID-19 units and/or buildings, please contact Zach Cattell at zcattell@ihca.org.
About the Author
