Mental Health Hospitals

COVID-19 and the Mental Health Hospitals

Caring for our patients in a safe and healthy environment is our greatest concern and top priority. We have implemented CDC-recommended steps to reduce the potential for the virus to spread in our hospitals and have reviewed protocols around patient treatment groups and use of masks and other personal protective equipment with public health officials.

Please submit any questions or concerns via this form.

View CDC-recommended steps we are taking to reduce the potential for COVID-19 to spread in our hospitals

Treatment

The hospitals continue to deliver in-person treatment during this time with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-recommended modifications.

Visitation protocols

At CMHHIP, attorneys, clergy and others in end-of-life situations are allowed in-person visitation with precautions in place. Video conferencing visitation is in place and utilized frequently, and patients can work with their treatment teams to schedule in-person visitation for their family. CMHHIP is currently working with the state health department regularly to seek guidance and make changes as recommended. 

At CMHHIFL, in-person visitation is supported unless otherwise prohibited by state public health directives or regulatory guidance. At this time, outdoor visits are preferred. Patients may also arrange virtual visitations.

Facility management

CMHHIP and CMHHIFL are Joint Commission accredited facilities and as such have robust infection control protocols in place to handle infectious diseases at the hospitals, and we are dedicated to providing the best care and safety possible for you and our patients. The hospitals and our Division of Facilities Management (DFM) have been following these protocols to minimize any potential spread of the virus, including training for staff; frequent hand washing; use of personal protective equipment as recommended by the CDC and CDPHE; frequent cleaning and sanitizing spaces that are used by more than one individual; ensuring social distances when possible; contact tracing and limiting contact across multiple units; surveillance and rapid testing; modified medical clearance and admissions protocols; and universal masking and screening protocols.

Screening protocols

CMHHIP and CMHHIFL follow this screening protocol every day for all staff and anyone visiting the hospital, including vendors and contractors:

1. Take the temperature of all who come on campus.
2. Staff complete a signed attestation to ensure that:

They do not have any signs or symptoms of the virus, including: fever, coughing/sneezing, sore throat, shortness of breath, runny nose/congestion or muscle aches, etc.; Were not exposed to someone with a confirmed or suspected case of COVID-19;

 

If staff respond yes to any question, they go through a more rigorous screening before determining if they can enter. 

• Have not traveled to high-risk areas recently;
• And/or any other items indicated by the CDC or health department that put patients at risk.

Staff health procedures

Policy has been revised and staff have been given training and guidance to engage in best practices for health and safety of themselves and patients, including these steps:

Wash hands thoroughly and frequently with soap and water and use hand sanitizer in areas where soap and water are not available;
Do not touch your eyes, nose, or mouth, and use proper respiratory etiquette (i.e., cover your mouth if you sneeze or cough), and;
Stay home if you are sick, have been exposed to COVID-19, or have a fever.

Critical staffing

We know that this is a difficult time for our staff as well as our patients. The entire staff of the Office of Civil and Forensic Mental Health is focused on ensuring that quality care continues during this time, and we are identifying how everyone can contribute to patient care with proper training and without compromising patient safety. We very much appreciate our staff who are coming to work each day to provide outstanding care and are taking the precautions necessary to keep themselves and patients safe.

About shoppable services

The Colorado Mental Health Hospitals do not provide shoppable services as defined in Section 2718(e) of the Public Health Services Act. "Shoppable service" means a service that can be scheduled by a health care consumer in advance.