COVID-19 Update

We are committed to the safety and well-being of our clients, their families, our staff and the community.

We’ve implemented changes across all of our programs as we respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and work to mitigate the risk of virus transmission, while providing premier mental health treatment to those living with mental health challenges. 

We are open and admitting new clients to our Residential, Partial Hospitalization, and Evening Intensive Outpatient Programs and have compiled a list of program and process changes to help you navigate and better understand our current operations. We are continuing virtual morning and afternoon IOP and outpatient services are offered virtually and in-person at this time.

We continue to monitor information from the CDC, state and federal authorities and will implement updates as recommendations change. 

STAFF & CAMPUS UPDATES

• We are disinfecting surfaces throughout our campus regularly, with an intensified focus for high touch/contact areas based on frequency of use.
• Meeting spaces, group size and common areas have been altered to allow for proper social distancing per guidelines.
• Clients and vendors are screened daily before entering the building, including temperature checks.
• Staff members are required to self-screen daily and wear personal protective equipment appropriate for specific client care and other job responsibilities.
• Staff are required to be up-to-date with their COVID-19 vaccination per CDC definition.
• Staff members who become symptomatic must not report for work and notify their supervisor.

TREATMENT/CLIENT CHANGES

• Furniture and common areas have been altered to allow for social distancing.  All client bedrooms are private, single rooms.
• Clients will be required to wear medical/ surgical grade face masks to mitigate the spread of the virus unless they are eating or alone in their rooms.
• Each client’s health is monitored daily, including temperature checks, other signs and symptom screens.
• If a residential client exhibits symptoms of COVID-19, they will be isolated in their room and be referred for testing. If the test returns positive, the client will be medically discharged to self-isolate at home for 5 – 10 days. Upon discharge, they will be directed to contact their healthcare provider. The client will be notified of their test result. Discharged clients are eligible for re-admission after the required 14-day isolation at home.
• Effective March 20, 2022 residential clients will be allowed to designate up to two potential visitors for visitation on Sundays from 1:00 – 4:00pm. Clients may have one visitor each Sunday and visitation will occur in 45 minute blocks to allow for proper cleaning protocols to take place between visits. Upon admission, clients will be given the option to provide the names of two potential visitors and these visitors need to remain the same throughout the duration of treatment. The client will provide the visitor with a link to the scheduling website to sign up for their preferred visitation timeslot. Each visitation request needs to be approved by HopeWay staff. All visitors are required to be fully vaccinated (booster included, if eligible).
• HopeWay Psychiatry & Associates will continue to offer in-person and telemedicine appointments.

CHANGES FOR NEW ADMISSIONS

• All prospective clients will be screened by phone and/or videoconferencing before starting the admissions process.
• All biopsychosocial assessments will be performed by phone or virtually.
• As of March 1, 2022, all clients receiving in-person treatment are required to be up-to-date on their COVID-19 vaccination per CDC definition.
• Clients admitting to the Residential Program will have to submit documentation of a negative COVID-19 test prior to admission. The Admissions Specialists will provide additional information about testing protocol and local sites. If a client is unable to secure a test prior to their admission date, please notify the Admissions Specialist and they will arrange for the client to be tested on site before entering the building.
• Newly admitted clients may be accompanied to HopeWay by one guest, and that one support person will be allowed in the main lobby and the designated office where the consult occurs and required to wear a face mask. 
• In the event the client or anyone accompanying the client answers “yes” to any screening question and/or has a temperature of 99.6 F degrees or higher, our medical team will be consulted regarding the start of the onsite admissions psychiatric consultation.

We encourage you to follow the CDC guidelines on how to protect yourself and others from COVID-19.  Please continue to wash your hands for 20 seconds, use hand sanitizer when washing is not an option, put a 6-foot distance between yourself and others, cover your mouth and nose with a medical/surgical grade face cover when around others, and clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily in your home.  We thank you for your continued commitment to the mitigation of COVID-19 and we look forward to serving those struggling with mental health diagnoses, medical co-morbidities and/or substance use disorders.