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12 <br /> DO: <br /> T1. Stay at least six feet away from people who are sick or showing symptoms such as <br /> coughing or sneezing. <br /> 2. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Wash your hands <br /> before and after eating, and after using the bathroom. If soap and water are not available, <br /> use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. <br /> 3. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth when out in public. <br /> DO NOT: <br /> 1. Shake hands with others until this health crisis has passed. <br /> 2. Use facemasks unless you are sick. Facemasks generally do not prevent you from <br /> exposure to the coronavirus. <br /> 3. Touch residents, staff, or others while visiting a care facility. <br /> C. What to do if you are sick or have symptoms? <br /> I. As a Long-Term Care Ombudsman, you should put your own health and safety before the <br /> needs of residents. <br /> 2. If you are showing signs of illness (coughing, sneezing, or fever), stay home and do not <br /> visit any facility even if invited for an end-of-life scenario. <br /> 3. Coughing, sneezing, and fever do not necessarily mean that you have COVID-19, <br /> however use precaution. If you are sick, call your healthcare provider and then notify <br /> your supervisor as soon as possible. <br /> If you or your family are personally affected by the emergency, take care of yourself and your <br /> family first. As soon as possible, please notify your AAA Director, and the State LTCO. <br /> D. The Role of Long-Term Care Ombudsman <br /> Ombudsmen are not to fill the roles of first responders or medical experts. Leave this work to be <br /> done by law enforcement, EMTs, firefighters, public health officials, and other local authorities. <br /> The responsibilities of ombudsmen remain the same before, during, and after emergencies. You <br /> are the residents' advocate. Please continue complaint resolution by telephone, skype etc. <br /> How can we determine or verify if a resident has a decision maker when we cannot personally <br /> visit? <br /> a) As necessary,you will have to ask the facility staff if they can fax the document or <br /> accept the facility's verbal verification until you can physically confirm. Note: the <br /> LTC Ombudsman program rule directs the program to "ascertain," it does not say <br /> how. <br /> 45 CFR 1324.19 (b) (iv) In determining whether to rely upon a resident representative <br /> to communicate or make determinations on behalf of the resident related to complaint <br /> processing, the Ombudsman or representative of the Office shall ascertain the extent <br /> of the authority that has been granted to the resident representative under court order <br /> 3 <br />