Appropriate Use of Facial Coverings for Infection Control

Policy: This facility promotes appropriate use of facial coverings to prevent the transmission of pathogens to residents, visitors, and other staff.

Definitions:

“Facial Coverings”, is a component of “Personal Protective Equipment” or PPE, that refers to a barrier used to protect mucous membranes from exposure to infectious agents spread by droplet or airborne modes of transmission. Facial coverings includes facemasks, goggles, face shields, and respiratory protection (respirators).
“Common Area” refers to areas in a health care setting where patients are not treated.
“Employee” refers to any person under employment or contract of a health care setting, including health care practitioners, administrative staff, maintenance staff, aides, contractors, students, and volunteers.
“Resident” refers to any person residing and receiving services in the health care facility.
“Visitor” refers to any person in a health care setting who is not an employee or resident of the healthcare setting.

Policy Explanation and Guidelines:

1. The facility may require a resident to wear a facial covering in common areas only when the resident is exhibiting signs or symptoms of or has been diagnosed with an infectious disease that can be spread through droplet or airborne transmission, or upon, recommendation of the local Department of Health to control outbreaks of infectious disease that can be spread through droplet or airborne transmission.
2. The facility may require a visitor to wear facial covering only when the visitor is:
   • Exhibiting signs or symptoms of or has a diagnosed infectious disease that can be spread through droplet or airborne transmission,
   • In a resident room with a resident who is exhibiting signs or symptoms of or has a diagnosed infectious disease that can be spread through droplet or airborne transmission,
   • Visiting a resident whose treating health care practitioner has diagnosed the resident with or confirmed a condition affecting the immune system in a manner which is known to increase risk of transmission of an infection from employees or visitors without signs or symptoms of infection to a resident whose treating practitioner has determined that the use of facial coverings is necessary for the patients safety,
   • Or, upon recommendation, of the local Department of Health to control outbreaks of infectious disease that can be spread through droplet or airborne transmission.
3. Residents of the health care facility will receive education on the risks and benefits of wearing facial protection but have the right to opt out of the wearing of facial protection.
4. Visitors of the health care facility, after receiving education on the risks and benefits of wearing facial protection, may opt out of wearing facial protection provided they practice social distancing while visiting the healthcare facility unless the visitor is:
   • Visiting a resident whose treating health care practitioner has diagnosed the resident with or confirmed a condition affecting the immune system in a manner which is known to increase risk of transmission of an infection from visitors without signs or symptoms of infection to a a resident whose treating practitioner has determined that the use of facial coverings is necessary for the resident’s safety,
   • Visiting a resident on droplet or airborne isolation precautions.
5. Employees of the health care facility have the right to opt out of wearing a facial covering unless an employee is:
   • Working with a resident whose treating health care practitioner has diagnosed the patient with or confirmed a condition affecting the immune system in a manner which is known to increase risk of transmission of an infection from employees without signs or symptoms of infection to a resident and whose treating practitioner has determined that the use of facial coverings is necessary for the patient’s safety,
   • Visiting a resident on droplet or airborne isolation, or
   • Engaging in non-clinical potentially hazardous activities that require facial coverings to prevent physical injury or harm in accordance with industry standards.

References:
Florida Rule 59AER23-2 Standards for the Appropriate Use of Facial Coverings for Infection Control. Florida Patient Bill of Rights and Responsibilities, section 381.026.F.S.

Date created: 07/07/2023
Date reviewed: 07/07/2023