Health & Safety Standards

Employee Health Standards –

·       All providers delivering services, including agency employees must demonstrate the following prior to rendering EI services:

o    Annual statement from a health care provider which provides evidence that the individual has no diagnosed disorder that would preclude him/her from providing EI services.

o    Has received the following requirements:

§  measles, mumps, and rubella titer and/or vaccine;

§  annual Mantoux/PPD or chest X-ray with the exception of EI providers who are also licensed day care providers by the NYC Bureau of Day Care.

§  Has received the following recommended vaccines or has documented refusal: Hepatitis B vaccine, Tetanus immunization within the past 10 years, Diphtheria, Pertussis, Varicella, Influenza

Hand Washing –

Staff and volunteers must thoroughly wash their hands with soap and running water:

·       At the beginning of each day.

·       Before and after the administration of medications.

·       When they are dirty.

·       After toileting or assisting children with toileting.

·       After changing a diaper.

·       Before and after food handling or eating.

·       After handling pets or other animals.

·       After contact with any bodily secretion or fluid.

·       After coming in from outdoors.

When soap and running water is not available and hands are visibly soiled, individual wipes may be used in combination with hand sanitizer. The use of hand sanitizers on children under the age of 2-years is prohibited.

Diapering –

Diapering will be done only in the selected diapering area. Food handling is not permitted in diapering areas. Surfaces in diapering areas will be kept clean, waterproof, and free of cracks, tears, and crevices. All containers of skin creams and cleaning items are labeled appropriately and stored off the diapering surface and out of reach of children.

Parents or caregivers will be present during all sessions/service provision and asked to change their child’s diaper, if needed. Children are to be supervised at all times during diapering and toileting, by the parent. If the parent does not comply with the request to change the child’s diaper or assist in toileting, the provider will use their judgement if it is acceptable to continue the session. If the provider discontinues the session, they must explain to the parent/guardian why they are doing so. 

Standard Precautions –

All staff will follow standard precautions when handling blood or blood-contaminated body fluids. These are:

·       Disposable gloves must be immediately available and worn whenever there is a possibility for contact with blood or blood-contaminated body fluids.

·       Staff are to be careful not to get any of the blood or blood-contaminated body fluids in their eyes, nose, mouth, or any open sores.

·       Standard precautions are utilized when handling body fluids, including adequate disposal of waste.

·       A solution of 4 teaspoons of bleach to 1 quart of water or 1/3 cup of bleach to 1 gallon of water prepared fresh each day (or an equivalent product to be used to disinfect) should be used when body fluids are present.

·       Providers should ensure that any equivalent product utilized is stated in writing to be effective against HIV and Hepatitis and is safe for use with children.

o    Gloves are worn when in contact with blood or other bodily fluids.

o    The adequate disposal of waste using a leak, proof plastic bag, sharps container or disposable in covered plastic lined waste cans.

·       Clean and disinfect any surfaces using approved solution, such as countertops and floors, onto which blood has been spilled.

·       Discard blood-contaminated material and gloves in a plastic bag that has been securely sealed. Clothes contaminated with blood must be returned to the parent at the end of the day.

·       Wash hands using the proper hand washing procedures.

In an emergency, a child’s well-being takes priority. A bleeding child will not be denied care even if gloves are not immediately available.

Cleaning, Sanitizing and Disinfecting –

Equipment, toys, and objects used or touched by children will be cleaned and sanitized or disinfected, as follows:

1.      Equipment that is frequently used or touched by children daily must be cleaned and then sanitized or disinfected, using an EPA-registered product or bleach solution (4 teaspoons of bleach to 1 quart of water or 1/3 cup of bleach to 1 gallon of water prepared fresh each day) of when soiled and at least once weekly.

2.      Carpets contaminated with blood or bodily fluids must be spot cleaned.

3.      Diapering surfaces must be disinfected after each use, with an EPA-registered product following labels direction for disinfecting diapering surfaces.

4.      Countertops, tables, and food preparation surfaces (including cutting boards) must be cleaned and sanitized before and after food preparation and eating.

5.      Potty chairs must be emptied and rinsed after each use and cleaned and then sanitized or disinfected daily with a disinfectant with an EPA-registered product following label direction for that purpose. If more than one child in the program uses the potty chair, the chair must be emptied, rinsed, cleaned, and sanitized or disinfected with an EPA-registered product after each use. Potty chairs must not be washed out in a hand washing sink, unless that sink is cleaned, then disinfected with bleach solution after such use.

6.      Toilet facilities must always be kept clean, and must be supplied with toilet paper, soap and towels accessible to the children.

7.      All rooms, equipment, surfaces, supplies and furnishings accessible to children must be cleaned and then sanitized or disinfected, using an EPA-registered product or bleach solution following labels direction for that purpose, as needed to protect the health of children.

8.      Thermometers and toys mouthed by children must be washed and disinfected using an EPA-registered product following labels direction for that purpose before use by another child.

NOTE: approved bleach solution is 4 teaspoons of bleach to 1 quart of water or 1/3 cup of bleach to 1 gallon of water prepared fresh each day. After cleaning of toys, items must be rinsed thoroughly. Clorox wipes are acceptable for cleaning of toys.

Feeding Therapy and Food Handling –

·       Disposable gloves will be used in the provision of feeding therapy and other oral motor exercises.

·       Children will not share drinking cups, even among siblings in the home setting.

·       The provider's use of highchairs may only be used for feeding purposes or therapy and is consistent with the child's developmental status and cannot be used as a restraint.

·       Foods should be nutritious, non-toxic and should be based on the child's developmental abilities, and allergies are considered (e.g., avoid popcorn and peanuts).

·       Utensils and feeding items will be sanitized after each use.

Safety of Children –

·       Children are clean and comfortable, and diapers are changed when wet or soiled.

·       Children do not have access to small or potentially harmful objects, plastic bags, or other choking hazards during the time services are delivered.

·       Corporal punishment and emotional or physical abuse or maltreatment is prohibited. The use of physical aversive or restraints of any form are strictly prohibited when providing EI services.

·       If the child is displaying self-injurious or aggressive behavior that threatens the well-being of the child, or others, the provider must intervene immediately to protect the child and the parent and the EIO must be notified immediately.

·       Delivering services while under the influence of alcohol or controlled substances is prohibited. Smoking is prohibited during the delivery of EI services.

Illness, Injury, and Emergencies –

Medical Emergency

·       Remain calm. Reassure the child (victim) and the other children at the scene.

·       If the area is unsafe, move to a safe location.

·       Follow first aid and/or CPR protocols.

·       Call for emergency medical services/911. Give all the important information slowly and clearly. To make sure that you have given all the necessary information, wait for the other party to hang up first. If an accidental poisoning is suspected, contact the National Poison Control Hotline at 1-800-222-1222 for help.

·       Follow instructions given by the emergency operator.

·       Send emergency contact information and permission to obtain emergency care when the child is transported for emergency care.

·       Notify parent of the emergency as soon as possible. If the parent can’t be reached, notify the child’s emergency contact person.

Immunizations –

·       Paperwork will be completed by the parent to include immunization record send by the physician.

·       Any child that does not have immunizations completed will be notified via phone as soon as possible if there is an exposure at the facility.

Therapy Equipment Standards –

·       Equipment, materials, and/or toys used by the provider are appropriate for the child's developmental age and skill level.

·       Equipment, materials, and/or toys used by the provider are in good condition, free of lead and are cleaned regularly and disinfected at least weekly using a bleach (4 teaspoons of bleach to 1 quart of water or 1/3 cup of bleach to 1 gallon of water prepared fresh each day) solution.

·       Any item placed in a child’s mouth will be disinfected prior to be used again.

·       All therapy rooms and equipment will be disinfected between children.

ADA Accessibility

·       This location is accessible for those with disabilities as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

·       The main entrance, public restroom, and therapy rooms are all accessible.

Privacy Policies -

THIS NOTICE DESCRIBES HOW MEDICAL INFORMATION ABOUT YOU MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED AND HOW YOU CAN GET ACCESS TO THIS INFORMATION. PLEASE REVIEW IT CAREFULLY.

We will use your protected health information (PHI) for the purpose of treatment, payment, and health care operations.

Treatments includes the disclosure of health information to other providers who have referred you for service or are involved in your care. This may include doctors, nurses, technicians, and other physical services. For example, we may feel that a child we are treating would benefit from an evaluation by a speech-language, pathologist to assess a swallowing difficulty. The health information we share with the speech-language pathologist would be considered a treatment related disclosure. Payment includes the disclosure of health information to your insurance company, including Medicaid, so payment can be obtained for services rendered. Your insurance company may make a request to review your medical record to determine that your care was necessary. Health care operations include the utilization of your record to monitor the quality of your care at our facility or for business planning activities.

Use and Disclosures Required by Law: The federal health information privacy regulations either permit or require us to use or disclose your PHI in the following way: we may use some of your PHI with a family member or friend involved in your care if you do not object, we may use your PHI in an emergency situation, and we may use or disclose your PHI for research purposes if we are provided with very specific assurances that your privacy will be protected. We may also disclose your PHI when we are required to do so by law, for example by a court order or subpoena. Disclosures to health oversight agencies are sometimes required by law to report certain diseases or adverse drug reactions. Your authorization is required before your PHI may be used or disclosed for us by other purposes.

YOUR PRIVACY RIGHTS

·           Restrictions: You have the right to request restrictions on how your PHI is used; however, we are not required to agree with your request.

·           Confidential Communication: You have the right to request confidential communication from us at a location of your choosing. This request may be in writing.

·           Access to PHI: You have the right to view and/or have copies for your child’s Early Intervention records to include all materials that have been generated by Leaps & Bounds Therapy providers such as evaluations, session notes, and developmental progress reports. You must make this request in writing and we may charge a fee to cover the cost of copying and mailing. Once we receive written request to either view your child’s records at Leaps & Bounds facility or have copies made your request will be fulfilled within 10 working days. If your request is made as part of mediation or an impartial hearing, you will be allowed to view them or given copies within 5 working days.

·           Amendments: You have the right to request an amendment to your PHI, if you disagree with what it says about your child. This request must be made in writing. If we disagree with you, we are not required to make the change. You may appeal denial through your Early Intervention Service Coordinator. You do have the right to submit a written statement about why you disagree that will become part of your record. We may not amend parts of your medical record that we did not create.

·           Complaints: If you feel that your privacy rights have been violated, you have the right to make a complaint to us in writing without fear of retaliation. Your complaint should contain enough specific information so that we may adequately investigate and respond to your concerns. If you are not satisfied with our response, you may complain directly to the Security of Health and Human Services.

·           Our Duty to Protect Your Privacy: We are required to comply with the federal health information privacy regulations by maintaining the privacy of your PHI. These rules require us to provide you with this document, our Notice of Privacy Practices. We reserve the right to update this notice if required by law. If we do update this notice at any time in the future, you will receive a revised notice when you next seek treatment from us.

·           Privacy Contact: If you would like more information about our privacy practices or to file a complaint you may contact:

Name: Leaps & Bounds Occupational, Speech, & Physical Therapy, PLLC

Address: 323 E. 14th St. Elmira Heights, NY 14903

Phone Number: 607-873-7003