Section 50.110  Statewide Policy for Visitation with a Resident

a)         If the Governor issues a proclamation under Section 7 of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act declaring that a disaster relating to a public health emergency exists, or when general visitation restrictions have been implemented due to an isolated reason, this Part shall serve as the statewide policy for visitation with a resident. To comply, facilities shall implement policies that address the following regarding access to a resident:

1)         Arrangements for regular visitation by visitors and other residents through various means, including, but not limited to:

A)        outdoor visitation;

B)        the use of technologies to facilitate virtual visitation when all other forms of visitation are unavailable; and

C)        indoor visitation, including, but not limited to, indoor visitation 24 hours per day, 7 days per week when the resident is nearing the end of his or her life as determined by any one or more of the resident's attending health care professionals. (Section 15(b)(1) of the Act)  For the purposes of this subsection, visitors may include:

i)          primary and secondary essential support persons; and

ii)         family, friends, and other visitors of the resident who agree to comply with the safety protocols established in Section 50.110(a)(3).

2)         The needs of the resident for physical, emotional, psychological, and socialization support based on the resident's person-centered care plan. (Section 15(b)(2) of the Act) 

3)         Safety protocols for all visitors to a facility, including, but not limited to, primary essential support persons or secondary essential support persons, if the Governor issues a proclamation under Section 7 of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act declaring that a disaster relating to a public health emergency exists. (Section 15(b)(3) of the Act)

A)        All visitors shall follow the same safety and infection control protocols currently in place for facility staff.

B)        Facility staff shall provide all visitors with copies (hardcopy or electronic) of any facility policies or protocols, Department guidance, or other necessary safety measures.

C)        No individual may be designated as a primary or secondary essential support person unless they can adhere to the facility's policies and protocols in place.

i)          Facilities shall require a primary and secondary essential support person to agree, in writing, to comply with the facility's safety and infection control protocols.

ii)         Facilities shall place the signed agreement in the resident's record.  The form shall be made available to the Department upon request.

4)         Allow access to a resident by a primary essential support person or secondary essential support person despite general visitation restrictions, provided that the primary essential support person or secondary essential support person complies with safety protocols provided in Section 50.110(b)(3). (Section 15(b)(4) of the Act)

b)         If a resident has not designated a primary essential support person, the facility shall work with the resident or the resident's representative, a family member of the resident, or a Long Term Care Ombudsman to identify a primary essential support person and provide them access to the resident. (Section 15(b)(5) of the Act)