Table 2.

Simplified contact precautions protocol for CMH staff on site

Level of contact and relevant situations	Practices
N95 masks	We are in a state of shortage
N95s are to be used only by: –Actively symptomatic patient –HCP in close contact with and caring for a patient who is symptomatic	Limiting use to symptomatic patients or HCPs caring for them will block the reservoir of infection
Level 2	Use gloves
Only when in close contact with: –Anyone who has screened positive –Anyone showing actual symptoms of respiratory infection	Use surgical masks and goggles
Level 1	Use standard precautions
All screening staff and any HCP when in any proximity to: –Any individual, even if they have screened negative or they have unknown status	Erect a plastic barrier between staff and persons served
	If no barrier is available, use phones or tablets to communicate rather than close contact and wear gloves while handling devices used by the person served
At all times All staff always	Use a single point of entry for all individuals entering the facility
	Use a unified screener for all entering the facility Screen everyone including yourself when you are onsite
	Follow social distancing

CMH community mental health; HCP health care personnel; refers to all paid and unpaid persons serving in healthcare settings who have the potential for direct or indirect exposure to patients or infectious materials, including: body substances, contaminated medical supplies, devices, and equipment, contaminated environmental surfaces, contaminated air

Per CDC: “Based on what is currently known about COVID-19 and other coronaviruses, spread is thought to occur mostly from person-to-person via respiratory droplets among close contacts. Close contact can occur while caring for a patient, including:

–Being within approximately 6 feet (2 m) of a patient with COVID-19 for a prolonged period of time

–Having direct contact with infectious secretions from a patient with COVID-19. Infectious secretions may include sputum, serum, blood, and respiratory droplets

If close contact occurs while not wearing all recommended PPE, healthcare personnel may be at risk of infection”

For details see Document 4