HAHarvey Walden
3 minutes agoVisitation Guidelines for Long-Term Care and Skilled Nursing Facilities
LVT & SNF
Visitation Guidelines
Residents have the right to receive visitors of their choosing at any time, subject to reasonable clinical and
safety restrictions. 42 CFR §483.10(f)(4). Facilities must have written policies and procedures regarding
visitation. These policies must ensure resident rights to visitation are protected, even during a declared
emergency or epidemic.
CMS guidance specifies that facilities cannot restrict visitation without a reasonable clinical or safety
justification. Limited or suspended visitation may be appropriate in circumstances such as:
• When the resident is not able to effectively communicate consent to receive visitors; or
• When the visitor has a communicable disease or condition which could endanger other residents,
staff, or visitors; or
• When the visitor’s conduct is disruptive and endangers the health or safety of other residents, staff, or
visitors; or
• When the resident’s health status warrants restriction (e.g., during an outbreak when the resident tests
positive or is symptomatic).
Visitation Limitations/Suspensions and Resident Rights
Facilities must document the resident-specific reason for visitation limitations or suspensions. The facility must
provide notice to the resident (or representative) and explain the right to file a grievance regarding the
restriction. When limitations/suspensions are due to resident’s clinical status, the rationale and duration of
the restriction must be clearly documented in the resident’s medical record. In cases of facility-wide
limitations/suspensions (e.g., due to outbreak), the facility must provide timely notice to all residents and
representatives and document the reason for the restriction.
CMS guidance reinforces that restrictions should be as limited as possible in scope and duration, based on
specific factors. Facilities should consider alternative approaches to facilitate visitation, such as virtual visits,
window visits, or outdoor visits. If visitation is limited, the facility should describe the steps it will take to
enable safe visitation as soon as possible – such as offering testing to visitors or requiring the use of personal
protective equipment (PPE).
