California Department of State Hospitals

Protecting Patients and Staff at DSH Hospitals from COVID-19

DSH has been and continues to actively plan and prepare for COVID-19 across our system, following guidance from the California Department of Public Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and other state and local partners. DSH is actively monitoring the rapidly changing situation so we can respond appropriately.

•    In mid-March, DSH-Sacramento activated the department’s Emergency Operation Center, and hospitals have activated their incident command centers and developed incident action plans to better communicate and coordinate our department’s response efforts.
•    Hospitals have updated their plans for infection control, respiratory protection, and pandemic response.
•    Normal hospital visiting has been prohibited until further notice, except for court-ordered evaluations, other legal matters, or end-of-life care. In the event of other special situations in which visitation may be considered, approval of the hospital’s medical director would be required. All approved visitors are subject to a health screening. Video-visiting is being made available at all hospitals for patients and their family members.
•    All hospital employees are being screened for symptoms of COVID-19 as they arrive for work. Employees who do not pass the screening are sent home.
•    Hospital employees are required to wear a mask when they are in patient care areas, in other areas when working in close proximity to others, or as mandated by local orders.
•    New or readmitting patients are tested for COVID-19 either prior to or upon admission to our hospitals. Current patients are tested for COVID-19 when clinically indicated.
•    Patients are being tested for COVID-19 when clinically indicated or when there has been a potential exposure to COVID-19.
•    Employees are being tested for COVID-19 when there has been a potential exposure.
•    Surveillance testing is being implemented for both patients and employees in DSH’s skilled nursing, medically fragile, and geriatric units.
•    All patients are being provided a mask and encouraged to wear it.
•    Spaces have been identified and prepared for isolating and treating patients who test positive for COVID-19.
•    Patient social distancing measures have been implemented and regular patient activities have been modified.
•    Telework is available for positions that are eligible, to the extent that the department can still fulfill its critical essential services to the public.
•    Admissions of certain categories of patients were temporarily suspended from mid-March through late May, but have since resumed.
•    Patients and employees have received, and continue to receive, information about how to protect themselves from COVID-19, including activities involving personal hygiene and social distancing.
•    DSH programs including the statewide Conditional Release Program, the Los Angeles Community Based Restoration Program and Jail-Based Competency Programs have implemented modified programming to ensure continued delivery of effective treatment while adhering to social distancing guidelines.
•    Members of the Executive Team serve as members of regional and national workgroups and associations with members from other state hospitals across the country. They are monitoring trends and best practices of our state hospitals and other healthcare systems who are planning, preparing and responding to COVID-19.

These actions and others by DSH are part of an ongoing process that will be continuously improved and strengthened by guidance from the California Department of Public Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and other state and local partners.