N.J. Admin. Code § 8:43-17.2

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 9, May 6, 2024

Section 8:43-17.2 - Policies and procedures

(a) A facility must adopt and implement written policies and procedures intended to prevent the social isolation of residents.

(b) These required policies and procedures must, at a minimum, address the following:

1. Providing technology to residents for the purpose of maintaining contact with individuals outside of the facility;

2. Ensuring that appropriately trained staff is available to assist residents in maintaining contact with individuals outside of the facility; and

3. Standards for acquiring the technology to implement the requirements at (b)1 above.

(c) These policies and procedures must include standards to encourage and enable residents of the facility to engage in in-person contact, communications, and religious and recreational activities with:

1. Other facility residents; and

2. External support systems, such as family and friends.

(d) The required policies and procedures adopted and implemented must address facilitating face to face contact through electronic means when such in-person contact, communication, or activities are prohibited, restricted, or limited, as permitted by Federal and State statute, rule, or regulation.

1. This can be done through the use of electronic or virtual means and methods, including, but not limited to:

i. Computer technology;

ii. Internet;

iii. Social media;

iv. Videoconferencing; and

v. Other innovative technological means or methods.

(e) Facilities are required, at a minimum, to take the following steps to prevent the social isolation of residents:

1. Prominently display on their website and/or social media platforms and include in communications to families, guardians, and the public, a phone number or method of communication for urgent calls or complaints, along with a link to the facility's social isolation policy.

2. Follow Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recommendations at http://www.cms.gov/files/document/qso-20-28-nh-revised.pdf, for communication when facilities cannot permit in-person visits, as follows:

i. Offer alternative means of communication for people who would otherwise visit, such as virtual communications;

ii. Create or increase email listserv communications to update resident's family members;

iii. Assign facility staff as the primary contact to families for inbound calls, and conduct regular outbound calls to keep families up to date (for example, a "virtual visitation coordinator");

iv. Offer a phone line with a voice recording updated at set times, at least daily, with the facility's general operating status, such as when it is safe to resume visits;

v. Host conference calls, webinars, or virtual "office hours" at set times, at a minimum, on a weekly basis, when families can call in, or log on to a conference line, in order to have facility staff share the status of activities or happenings in the facility and family members can ask questions or make suggestions; and

vi. Update the facility's website, at a minimum, on a weekly basis, to share the status of the facility and include information that helps families know what is happening in their loved one's environment, such as food menus and any scheduled activities.

N.J. Admin. Code § 8:43-17.2

Adopted by 55 N.J.R. 2271(a), effective 11/6/2023