Question: Are psychiatric hospitals subject to  to CDC's infection prevention recommendations?

Answer passage (source: CDC):
page_title: Healthcare Infection Prevention and Control FAQs for COVID-19
section_headers: Do all patients with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 need to be placed in airborne infection isolation rooms?
section_content: No. Updated CDC Interim Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for
Patients with Suspected or Confirmed Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in
Healthcare
Settings recommends placing patients in a regular
examination room with the door closed. Airborne infection isolation rooms
should be reserved for patients undergoing aerosol generating procedures or
for diagnoses such as active tuberculosis.

Reviewer feedback on this answer:
Doesn't mention psychiatric hospitals. Focuses on whether patients should be put in isolation rooms instead.
The answer doesn't address psychiatric facilities at all, which is what the question is asking about.

Reviewer ratings:
Bad
Bad

Answer passage (source: CDC):
page_title: Clinical Questions about COVID-19: Questions and Answers
section_headers: Treatment and Management
When can patients with confirmed COVID-19 be discharged from the hospital?
section_content: Patients can be discharged from the healthcare facility whenever clinically
indicated. Isolation should be maintained at home if the patient returns home
before the time period recommended for discontinuation of hospital
Transmission-Based Precautions.
Decisions to discontinue Transmission-Based Precautions or in-home isolation
can be made on a case-by-case basis in consultation with clinicians, infection
prevention and control specialists, and public health authorities based upon
multiple factors, including disease severity, illness signs and symptoms, and
results of laboratory testing for COVID-19 in respiratory specimens.
See Interim Considerations for Disposition of Hospitalized Patients with
COVID-19.
For non-hospitalized persons, see Interim Guidance for Implementing Home Care
of People Not Requiring Hospitalization for
COVID-19, and
Discontinuation of In-Home Isolation for Immunocompromised
Persons.

Reviewer feedback on this answer:
Doesn't mention psychiatric hospitals. Talks about criteria for discharge COVID-19 patients.
The answer doesn't specifically address psychiatric facilities, which is what is being asked about in the question.

Reviewer ratings:
Bad
Bad

Answer passage (source: CDC):
page_title: Healthcare Infection Prevention and Control FAQs for COVID-19
section_headers: Do CDC’s interim infection prevention and control recommendations for COVID-19 apply to psychiatric hospitals or other behavioral health facilities?
section_content: Yes. To keep patients and healthcare personnel (HCP) healthy and safe, CDC’s
infection prevention and control guidance applies to all settings where
healthcare is delivered. However, as with any guidance, facilities can tailor
certain recommendations to their setting. For example, inpatient psychiatric
care includes communal experiences and group activities that may need to
continue. If so, these activities might need to be adapted to align with
social distancing recommendations. Other recommended infection control measures
(for example, ensuring access to alcohol-based hand sanitizer, cohorting
patients with COVID-19 and assigning dedicated staff, or implementing
universal source control measures) might not be safe or appropriate to
implement in all locations or for all patients due to security and behavioral
concerns.
Challenges and potential solutions specific to behavioral health settings
might include:

Cohorting 
Challenge: To prevent transmission, it is generally recommended that patients with COVID-19 be transferred to a separate area of the facility where they can be cared for by dedicated HCP. Because of security concerns or specialized care needs, it might not be possible to cohort certain patients together or change HCP assigned to their care.
Potential Solutions: When cohorting is not possible, implement measures to maintain social distancing (at least 6 feet) between patients with COVID-19 and others on the unit. Ideally, this would include a separate bathroom for COVID-19 patients. Ensure HCP wear all recommended personal protective equipment (PPE) when caring for patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19.


Group Therapy Sessions 
Challenge : Group counseling, therapy, and discussion sessions are a critical component of psychiatric treatment and care plans, but the traditional set-up for these activities is not compatible with social distancing recommendations.
Potential Solutions : When possible, use virtual methods, or decrease group size so social distancing can be maintained. In the event that COVID-19 is transmitted in the facility, sessions should stop or move to a video discussion forum until additional infection prevention measures are in place to stop the spread.


Cloth Face Coverings 
Challenge: For some patients, the use of cloth face coverings or facemasks might pose an additional danger or may cause distress. Some patients may be unable or unwilling to use them as intended. Elastic and cloth straps can be used for strangling oneself or others, and metal nasal bridges can be used for self-harm or as a weapon.
Potential Solutions: Consider allowing patients at low risk for misuse to wear cloth face coverings or facemasks, with a preference for those with short ear-loops rather than longer ties. Consider use of cloth face coverings or facemasks during supervised group activities. Ensure that HCP interacting with patients who cannot wear a cloth face covering or facemask are wearing eye protection and a facemask (or a respirator if the patient is suspected to have COVID-19 and respirators are available).


Alcohol-based Hand Sanitizer 
Challenge : While alcohol-based hand sanitizer (ABHS) containing 60-95% alcohol is an important tool to increase adherence to hand hygiene recommendations, ABHS must be used carefully in psychiatric facilities to ensure it is not ingested by patients.
Potential Solutions : Consider not placing ABHS in patients’ rooms in psychiatric facilities, nor in locations where the patients have unsupervised access. Encourage frequent hand washing with soap and water for patients and HCP. Consider providing personal, pocket-sized ABHS dispensers for HCP.


Dining 
Challenge : As part of social distancing, communal dining is generally not recommended. However, eating needs to remain supervised due to the potential for self-harm with eating utensils and because commonly used psychiatric medications may cause side effects (e.g., tardive dyskinesia, dysphagia, hypo- and hypersalivation) that increase choking risk for patients.
Potential Solutions : One option is to position staff in patients’ rooms to monitor their dining. Another option is to allow communal dining in shifts so that staff can monitor patients while ensuring they remain at least 6 feet apart. A third option is to have patients sit in appropriately spaced chairs in the hallway outside their rooms so they can be monitored while they eat.


Smoking 
Challenge: A higher proportion of psychiatric patients smoke cigarettes compared to the general population. Patients might congregate in outdoor smoking spaces without practicing appropriate social distancing.
Potential Solutions: Limit the number of patients allowed to access smoking spacesat the same time, and position staff to observe and ensure patients are practicing appropriate physical distancing.




Reviewer feedback on this answer:
Gives detailed advice for how psychiatric hospitals should respond to the coronavirus pandemic.
The answer gives a great deal of detail about where psychiatric facilities fit in the CDC's guidelines. There are many categories listed, and several details in each category.

Reviewer ratings:
Excellent
Excellent