Texas Rulemaking Alert
The Texas Health and Human Services Council has proposed comprehensive rules for Assisted Living Facilities during a contagious disease outbreak, epidemic, or pandemic.
Likely as a result of a recent unfortunate event during a natural disaster evacuation, the proposed rules specify that infection control measures must be kept in place even if there is the need for evacuation, sheltering in place, or receiving residents from other affected facilities. There must be a transportation plan to evacuate residents, and the ALF must keep a 90-day supply of Personal Protection Equipment on hand, including face masks, N95 respirators, goggles, face shields, gloves, and gowns.
The ALF must have a communication plan to communicate to residents and families
when there is a positive disease case and regarding visitation policies. The proposed rule also mandates a testing, screening, and reporting protocol.
There must be at least one staff member responsible for infection control protocol and documentation that all staff has been trained on it.
Read the full text of the rule here. It is expected to go into effect by December 12, 2021.
