Keeping Our Community Safe During COVID-19
Safe Place, Trusted Care
Autism & Behavioral Spectrum has a long-standing commitment to the health care needs of our communities. Your safety is our
highest priority. During this global COVID-19 pandemic, our commitment to giving you a safe, reliable place to receive care is even
more important to us.
How We’re Keeping Patients Safe During the COVID-19 Recovery
Guided by multiple internationally respected infection prevention
experts at the CISA (The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security
Agency), Autisms speaks, Behavioral Health Center of Excellence
(BHCOE), The Missouri Department of Economic Development
along with the recommendations from the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC), we have taken a number of steps in
addition to our standard rigorous infection control measures to
ensure our facilities remain safe places for clients to confidently
receive care.
ABA is an Essential Service
Each state is issuing their own guidance regarding which services are considered essential. In Missouri, the Governor has listed the following as essential services
– therapeutic technicians and technologists
– clinics, home health care, hospices
– behavioral health workers
ABA is included in the “Essential Health Benefits” package and required to be covered in Missouri
Please click the following links for more information:
-Behavioral Health Center of Excellence
-The Missouri Department of Economic Development
-U.S. Department of Homeland Security
-Autism Speaks
Staff Vaccinations
- ABS Vaccinations: The majority of our staff have been vaccinated or are in the process.
- We know that COVID-19 vaccines are effective at preventing COVID-19 disease, especially severe illness and death.
- We’re still learning how effective the vaccines are against variants of the virus that causes COVID-19. Early data show the vaccines may work against some variants but could be less effective against others.
- We know that other prevention steps help stop the spread of COVID-19, and that these steps are still important, even as vaccines are being distributed. This is why ABS will continue with the majority of preventive protocols.
- Early data show that the vaccines may help keep people from spreading COVID-19.
- As we know more, CDC will continue to update our recommendations for both vaccinated and unvaccinated people.
Hygiene
- Hand Sanitizer: Hand sanitizer is available at each entrance and at numerous locations throughout each building. Everyone is asked to sanitize their hands when they enter the building. In addition, each member of our health care staff sanitizes their hands before and after each client encounter.
- Staff: Hand hygiene is an important part of the U.S. response to the international emergence of COVID-19. Practicing hand hygiene, which includes the use of alcohol-based hand rub (ABHR) or hand washing, is a simple yet effective way to prevent the spread of pathogens and infections in healthcare settings. CDC recommendations reflect this important role.
- Clients: Our therapist assists our client in tolerating hand washing often. This can be difficult for some children on the spectrum. Our goal is to prepare them for the new norm of hand hygiene
Clinic Sanitation
- Common areas: Areas such as waiting rooms, lobbies, classrooms, restrooms, 1:1 rooms are cleaned each evening by a janitorial service with special attention to frequently touched surfaces including doorknobs, armrests and handrails. The team will also deep clean the clinics on the weekends.
- Three step process: Direct staff regularly sanitizes frequently touched objects and surfaces throughout the day. Three step bottles are made daily.
1. Clean with soap and water, wipe with a paper towel
2. Rinse with water Wipe dry with a paper towel
3. Sanitize/Disinfect with bleach solution* Allow to air dry or to remain on surface for at least 2 minutes, then wipe with a paper towel
Limiting Exposure
- Temporary visitor policy: Restricts visitors to reduce the number of people in our facilities and, therefore, the risk of exposure between patients, visitors and staff. We understand this can be difficult and appreciate your understanding.
- Parent support meetings: To avoid exposure we are attempting to have most weekly parent support meetings through telehealth (zoom) or phone calls.
- In-Person Appointments: Non-essential meetings will be conducted through video conference or phone. Any essential meetings will be conducted after an initial covid screening/temperature check and away from clients/staff in administration meeting rooms that are sanitized between meetings. All non-client personnel in the building must have a face covering.
Face Covering
- Direct staff: A large part of early intervention is focusing on language development, emotional communication, social referencing that occurs between a client and their 1:1 therapist. This is a critical stage for some of our clients therefore wearing masks could impact his or her development. ABS provides masks with clear windows and clear face shields so the clients can read their lips and see their facial expressions. Both masks and shields are required.
- Non direct staff: All non-direct staff must wear a form of face covering in the building
- Client face covering: Our therapist assists our client in tolerating face masks on themselves and those around them. This can be difficult for some children on the spectrum. Our goal is to prepare them for the new norm of wearing face masks in public.
It is a requirement for staff to have their face covered.
Screening and Testing
- Screening for COVID-19 symptoms: We screen all patients and visitors for COVID-19 symptoms. In addition, when you arrive for your appointment, you and anyone with you will also be asked about any cough, fever and other symptoms of respiratory virus infection that you or others in your household may be experiencing.
- Temperature checks: Staff and clients are screened each day upon arrival. Clients are screened mid-day as well as needed.
- COVID-19 testing: We require quarantine and/or negative test for all clients and staff if an exposure occurs within a room
Curb side drop off/pick up
- Committed hours: Although this is a regular practice at ABS we are getting stricter with the commitment of therapy hours.
- Time management: Staggering predetermined arrival and drop off times and plan to limit direct contact with parents and/or guardians as much as possible.
- Contactless transfer: Have 1:1 staff meet children outside by the car as parents and/or guardians arrive
- E- check in/check out: Using tablets parents and/or guardians sign their children out from the car on Procare. To limit contact even further parents and/or guardians can check in/check out their children form the Procare app on their phone.
Autism & Behavioral Spectrums safety precautions are guided by experts in the field of infectious
diseases, infection prevention, public health and quality improvement.
These experts monitor the latest recommendations from state and national organizations, including the Missouri Department of Health and
Human Services, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the World Health Organization (WHO), and adapt our processes to
meet best practices that limit exposure and prevent the spread of disease meanwhile providing suitable essential Behavioral Health Therapy.
We request your participation, cooperation and patience during this pandemic.
Together we can keep our community safe!