As new coronavirus cases appear to be slowing in long-term care facilities and vaccination efforts ramp up nationwide, federal health officials on Wednesday significantly relaxed guidelines for in-person visits with nursing home residents.
The update from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is the first change to federal COVID-19 guidelines for nursing homes since September. It comes as more than three million COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered in the nation’s nursing homes, the agency said.
The revised, eight-page guidance stated that "facilities should allow responsible indoor visitation at all times and for all residents, regardless of vaccination status of the resident, or visitor, unless certain scenarios arise that would limit visitation."
The scenarios include unvaccinated residents, those with confirmed COVID-19 infections and residents in quarantine.
Importantly, the agency said so-called "compassionate care" visits when a resident’s health has declined sharply should be allowed at all times.
"CMS recognizes the psychological, emotional and physical toll that prolonged isolation and separation from family have taken on nursing home residents, and their families," said Dr. Lee Fleisher, CMS Chief Medical Officer and Director of CMS’ Center for Clinical Standards and Quality.
Once at the center of the COVID-19 pandemic, outbreaks at nursing homes and long-term care facilities have calmed, Earlier this week, updated guidance was released for people who had been fully vaccinated, substantially rolling back restrictions for indoor gatherings and mask recommendations among that group.
The guidance was issued in conjunction with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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