Revised 11/13/2024
LAKES HOMES AND PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT INFECTIOUS ILLNESS PREPAREDNESS PLAN
Lakes Homes’ infectious illnesses Preparedness Plan follows the industry guidance developed by the
state of Minnesota, which is based upon Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and
Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) guidelines Health Care Workers, Minnesota Occupational Safety
and Health Administration (MNOSHA) statutes, rules and standards, and Minnesota’s relevant and current
executive orders.
The common infectious illness symptoms are:
● Fever
● Cough
● Shortness of breath
● Chills
● Headache
● Muscle pain
● Sore throat
● Nausea
● Vomiting
● Diarrhea
Serious illness that require emergency care would include:
● Lasting chest pain or pressure
● New confusion
● Unable to wake up or stay awake
● Temp greater than 103.0
● Fever and the following symptoms together
● Severe Headache
● Rash
● Stiff neck and pain when bending head forward
● Persistent vomiting
● Difficulty breathing
● Mental Confusion
● Abdominal pain
● Pain when urinating
● Convulsions or seizures
MAINTAINING SAFE OPERATIONS
● Lakes Homes staff will monitor all people who live in the group home for infectious illness
symptoms. This includes screening of temperature and oximeter readings as needed.
● People who are ill should stay home. Those individuals who show symptoms of cough and
frequent sneezing, but not showing other signs of illness, will be asked to wear a face mask when they are around people. eg, while providing cares, in vehicles etc.
● Employees who are not sick, but caring for individuals who have been diagnosed with an infectious illness will wear a facemask and gloves. Face shields and grown will be provided if requested
● Employees diagnosed with an infectious illness will follow CDC guidelines for that illness.
● Those individuals we serve, who have been diagnosed with an infectious illness will stay isolated from others and follow CDC guidelines.
● When an Individual we serve has been diagnosed with an infectious illness Lakes Homes will consult with medical providers about current scheduled appointments and future appointments.
Appointments that can be postponed without ill effect will be rescheduled for a later date. Nursing staff will work with medical providers and/or guardians to determine if an appointment should be made or kept.
● Employees working in a house with a positive diagnosis of an infectious illness will not be
permitted to pick up open shifts at unexposed houses. If they are scheduled to work at an
unexposed house they will be replaced by a different staff. ENSURE SOCIAL DISTANCING THROUGHOUT THE DAY
● Employees and the individuals we serve will follow CDC guidelines.
STAFF AND RESIDENT HYGIENE AND SOURCE CONTROLS
● Employees will wash their hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, at the
beginning and end of each shift, after being in public places, after blowing nose, coughing or
sneezing, before and after eating, before putting on and after taking off a mask and other personal protective equipment. Employees will coach and assist individuals we serve to do the same
● If soap and water are not easily available, hand sanitizer may be substituted as long as it is at least 60% alcohol, unless otherwise directed by nursing or a medical professional. Hand sanitizer should cover all services of hands and hands rubbed together until they feel dry. Individuals we serve will receive training and prompts to follow these protocols. Staff may need to assist individuals who struggle with this task.
● All will be encouraged to avoid touching eyes, nose, mouth with unwashed hands. Everyone
should use a Kleenex or sneeze/cough into the crook of their elbow, and then immediately wash their hands.
● Gloves and face masks will be included as daily personal protective equipment (PPE) offered to employees and individuals we serve. Gloves will be worn while performing personal care with individuals, while sanitizing surfaces and handling soiled items. Gloves will be changed between activity, individual cares etc. and if they become soiled or damaged. Staff will wash or sanitize their
hands before putting on and after removing gloves in a manner consistent with procedures taught. Change gloves each time you are done working with an individual. Do not wear gloves all day long. SAFE PROTOCOLS FOR A POSITIVE CASE IN HOME
● If someone in the home is identified with an infectious illness or at the discretion of nursing or a medical professional, stronger protocols will be implemented. This could include quarantine of the individual only or the entire house and will be assessed on a case by case basis.
WORKPLACE CLEANING AND DISINFECTING PROTOCOLS
● Regular practices of cleaning and disinfecting have been implemented, including a schedule for routine cleaning and disinfecting of work surfaces, equipment, tools, vehicles and areas in the work environment, including restrooms, break rooms, and meeting rooms; these common areas will be cleaned and disinfected twice a day.
● Frequent cleaning and disinfecting is being conducted of high-touch areas, including, but not
limited to phones, keyboards, touch screens, controls, door handles, railings, copy machines, light switches, countertops, handles, phones, toilets, faucets, sinks, tubs, vehicle steering wheel, seats and handles of vehicles.
● To disinfect, EPA registered household disinfectants can be used. Disinfecting can also be
accomplished by making bleach and water solution by mixing 5 tablespoons (1/3 cup) bleach per gallon of cold water or 4 teaspoons bleach per quart of cold water. It must be mixed fresh each day.
● People should avoid sharing phones, pens etc. Sinks could be an infection source so residents
should avoid placing toothbrushes directly on counter surfaces. Totes can be used for personal
items so they do not touch the bathroom countertop ACCESSING THE COMMUNITY
● If a person we serve has tested positive or been diagnosed with an infectious illness Lakes Homes staff and the people we serve will avoid non-essential community outings if possible.
● If a community outing is necessary masks must be worn in the community until the individual is deemed non-contagious.
ESTABLISH PROCEDURES FOR VISITORS TO THE PROGRAM
● People who live in group home settings have the right to associate with other people in the
community. People who live in group homes also have the right to choose their visitors and when visitors are in their home. Visitors will be asked to follow CDC guidelines
This infectious illnesses Preparedness Plan has been certified by Lakes Homes’ management and the plan is posted throughout the workplace and made readily available to employees, guests and guardians. It will be updated as necessary by the administrator or designee.
Employees, individuals, families, guardians, providers and board members received training to this plan prior to working in any of the buildings and with the individuals we serve. The parts of the plan relevant to the individuals and, as appropriate, parents, guardians, legal representatives, and case managers will be explained in plain language as necessary.
Staff are encouraged but not required to be current on recommended vaccinations.
Staff with concerns about their employer’s infectious illness Preparedness Plan or questions about their
rights should contact MNOSHA Compliance at osha.compliance@state.mn.us, 651- 284-5050 or 877-470-6742.
Individuals and their family and friends may contact Lakes Homes with questions as well as have access to the Office of Ombudsman for Long-Term Care at 651-431-2555 or
1-800-657-3591 to request advocacy services.
Thomas Reiffenberger
Executive Administrator