At Wesley Health Care Center, we are committed and required to ensuring the safety of our residents during Off-Unit or Off-Campus travel and visits with their loved ones. To achieve this, several safety evaluations and protocols must be followed by residents and their representatives before leaving the unit for any reason. It is the responsibility of WHCC to provide this information to ensure resident safety and protocols are followed. Below is a summary of these important guidelines, however, you can request more information by speaking with your Unit Coordinator and Social Worker further, should you wish to coordinate a visit off-campus or off-unit.
Safety Evaluations Before Travel
- Annual and Condition-Based Evaluations: Residents must complete a car transfer evaluation annually or when there is a significant change in condition to assess their ability to travel safely.
- Transportation Training: Resident representatives must complete a one-time transportation safety training before taking a resident off-site. This training ensures they understand how to manage transportation safely.
- Therapy Referral for Wesley Transportation: For travel in Wesley’s transportation vehicle, a physical therapy (PT) referral and approval are required. Bus transfer evaluations are also conducted annually or with significant changes in a resident’s condition.
Additional Therapy Requirements
- Extended Training: Some residents may require additional therapy for safe car transfers or stair climbing prior to using Wesley transportation.
- Notice for Requests: Same-day requests are discouraged as they may not be feasible based on a resident’s abilities and staff availability. A minimum of one week’s notice is recommended to ensure all safety protocols are followed, except during special holiday timelines.
Steps Before Departure
- Assessment by RN Unit Coordinator: Prior to any off-campus travel, residents or their representatives must discuss the resident’s physical abilities with the RN unit coordinator. This includes determining the need for assistive devices like walkers, gait belts, or wheelchairs.
- Transfer Status:
- Independent or Supervision Transfer: Requires one car transfer evaluation per year (or with a condition change) for one resident representative.
- Moderate, Minimal, or Extensive Assistance: Each representative must undergo a car transfer evaluation before off-site visits.
Therapy Coordination
- Therapy-Managed Transfer Evaluations: Therapy will schedule car transfer evaluations within a week of the referral or to meet holiday deadlines. If mechanical lifts are required, a wheelchair-accessible van is necessary, and the resident’s representative must demonstrate safe securing of the resident.
- Hired Transportation: If using a wheelchair-accessible van, a therapy referral is not required. However, nursing staff will observe the resident being secured in the van for safety.
Post-Travel Requirements
- COVID-19 Protocol: If the resident has had possible close contact with someone with COVID-19, they will be tested upon return to the facility. Testing will occur:
- Immediately (not before 24 hours), and if negative, 48 hours after the first test, and again 48 hours after the second test. Typically on days 1, 3, and 5 after exposure.
- If symptoms develop, the resident will be tested immediately and placed on transmission-based precautions.
- Quarantine Considerations: Quarantine may be required if there is uncertainty regarding adherence to infection prevention measures during the outing.
Testing Guidelines for Travel
- Trips Less than 24 Hours: Quarantine or testing is not required for outings under 24 hours unless there was close contact with someone infected with SARS-CoV-2.
- Trips Longer than 24 Hours: For trips over 24 hours, testing will be required on days 1, 3, and 5, regardless of vaccination status.
These guidelines are designed to ensure that both residents and their families can enjoy safe and comfortable travel experiences while minimizing health risks. For more information or to begin the planning process for off-campus travel, please contact your RN unit coordinator.