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MOTION BY SUPERVISORS RIDLEY-THOMAS AND BARGER
MAY 26, 2020
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investigations which revealed a backlog of approximately 3,000 SNFs’ investigations. By

2019, the SNFs’ investigation backlog had grown to 5,000, with approximately 2,100 new
complaints annually contributing to this backlog.

In 2019, DPH entered into a new contract with CDPH to fully transfer responsibility

of health care facility investigation and monitoring activities to the County, with the
objective of creating more operational efficiencies and improving the quality of

enforcement activities. Despite this new arrangement, thousands of complaints continue
to be registered with the County each year.

The COVID-19 crisis has exacerbated concerns within these facilities. In an effort
to mitigate the spread and impact of the virus, the Board unanimously approved two

motions on April 28, 2020 related to congregate living facilities. The first motion (Ridley-

Thomas) advocated for Statewide action to improve infection control protocols and worker
safety within SNFs and other congregate living facilities, and the second motion (Hahn)

asked for a plan to improve COVID-19 testing among residents and staff within these
settings, with a particular focus on SNFs.

Subsequently, on May 11, 2020, CDPH issued an All Facilities Letter (AFL) which

requires SNFs to submit a facility-specific COVID-19 Mitigation Plan by June 1, 2020
which must include the following six elements:

1. Testing and Cohorting. The SNFs must develop a plan in conjunction with
CDPH and their local health department for regular testing of residents and staff,

including how test results will be used to inform the cohorting of residents and

health care personnel;
2. Infection Prevention and Control. The SNFs must have a full-time, dedicated

Infection Preventionist, and a plan must be in place for infection prevention
quality control;

3. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). The SNFs must have a plan for
adequate provision of PPE, including types that will be kept in stock, duration

the stock is expected to last, and information provided on established contracts

or relationships with vendors for replenishing stock;