Activated Respite during COVID-19

Appropriate Patients for Activated Respite

Activated Respite is intended for people experiencing homelessness who are identified by Shelter Providers as having symptoms of COVID-19 (fever, coughing, and shortness of breath regardless of whether they were tested), or who have medical paperwork indicating they are COVID-positive or were tested. In addition, individuals must be independent with ADLs and safe unsupervised in a motel room with once daily follow up from a medical provider. Guests must be able to ask for help when needed.

Note: Please see Non-Clinical Triage Tool provided by CCH for screening guidelines. If you have questions about screening contact the CCH Medical Patient Assistance Line at (303) 312-9800.

Referral Process

Denver-based service providers can refer guests to Activated Respite. If you identify a person with symptoms of COVID-19 complete the Activated Respite Referral Form available HERE.

Activated Respite Intakes for COVID-19 Positive or Suspected + cases are from 8 AM - 8 PM, 7 days a week. CCH will contact the person making the referral to accept or deny the referral within one hour depending on acuity and bed availability. If the referral has been accepted, CCH staff will arrange transportation if during dispatch hours every day between 8am-8pm.

Please refer to Homeless Service Providers Activated Respite Referral Guide available HERE for details. Do the best you can to maintain social distancing of at least six feet or have client remain in separate room or space while waiting for transport.

Appropriate Patients for Activated Respite

Patients from Denver-based hospitals or testing facilities can be referred to Activated Respite. Patients outside of Denver can be referred if they were transported to that facility by Denver Health Paramedics.

Activated Respite is for people experiencing homeless who are COVID-positive, or who are symptomatic with suspected disease (e.g., test pending) who are medically stable for discharge, but do not have the ability to self-quarantine. Patients must be able to be independent with ADLs and safe unsupervised in a motel room with once daily follow up from a nurse or medical provider. Patients need to be able to ask for help when needed. In general, patients with high acuity medical needs, active substance withdrawal and/or high concern for impending withdrawal, and those requiring assistance with ADLs are NOT eligible for low acuity medical respite in motel rooms. Patients should be discharged with a minimum of 48-hour supply of medications. If oxygen needs, this must be arranged prior to discharge.

Note: If the patient is determined to be unsafe for low acuity respite in a motel room, the patient will be transported back to the sending facility.

Referral Process

All requests for Activated Respite are prioritized through a centralized Medical Patient Assistance Line, staffed by RNs at Colorado Coalition for the Homeless (CCH). Activated Respite Intakes for COVID-19 Positive or Suspected + cases are from 8 AM - 8 PM, 7 days a week.

When a patient with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 who is experiencing homelessness is determined to be medically stable for discharge and requires isolation/quarantine, hospital staff should refer patients to Activated Respite. The Activated Respite Referral Form is available HERE.

CCH will contact the person making the referral to accept or deny the referral within one hour depending on acuity and bed availability. If the referral has been accepted, CCH staff will notify hospital staff of the location and contact dispatch to arrange transportation if during dispatch hours every day between 8am-8pm for hospitals located in Denver. If referral needs to be made after hours or the hospital is outside of Denver, the referral staff will need to arrange their own transportation.

Please refer to the Hospital and Testing Site Protocol for Activated Respite Referrals Guide for details HERE.