How You Can Help Prevent the Spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Long Term Care Facilities
Written by DMS Coalition Staff
Please note that skilled nursing providers should consult the guidance put forth by CMS and the CDC, and assisted living communities can consult AHCA/NCAL's guidance. Providers should also check their local and state health departments for potentially stricter guidance, but these are general, national prevention and containment tips:
- Centers should review their infection prevention and control policies and procedures for droplet precautions among residents and staff. Assemble your Emergency Preparedness and Operations teams and prepare strategically for a potential spread of the virus. SNFs: Use the CMS Focused COVID-19 Infection Control Survey Tool to self-assess your IPCP plans.
- Prepare Staff
- Acknowledge the current situation and share only verified facts. See our sample letter to employees.
- It’s important that any staff who are sick stay home. CDC has detailed guidance on this.
- Remind staff of hand hygiene and proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Inform housekeeping staff and other impacted staff about the importance of proper cleaning. See our sample handout in English or Spanish.
- Restrict all non-essential individuals from visiting your facility for the time being.
- Explain this to residents’ family members and friends
- Use our template letter to inform them ahead of time
- Use our sample notice in English or Spanish to post at your main entrance or share with visitors who come to the building
- Set up/help facilitate alternative forms of communication for residents: video, phone, or other methods
- Explain this to residents’ family members and friends
- Screen individuals who need to enter the building—including staff—for possible exposure to COVID-19. Use our checklist for screening individuals
- Any individual who checks YES to any questions on the screening tool should not be permitted to enter the facility.
- Any individuals that are permitted to enter should wash their hands or use hand sanitizer upon entrance and throughout their stay.
- Use our template log for personnel (Excel or PDF) to track employees & temps coming into the facility
- Restrict group activities within and outside the building.
- Cancel trips into the community-at-large
- Restrict group activities and communal dining within the facility.
- Cancel activities with outside volunteers (e.g., school bands/choirs, pet therapists).
- Take stock of your personal protective equipment. If you are running low on supplies or worry about running low, take these steps in this order:
- Work to preserve your supply by adjusting your practices to conduct multiple activities per visit to an infected patient’s room (see CDC guidance)
- Contact your local healthcare coalition
- Contact your state health department
- Contact your local health department
- Contact your local hospital(s) and other health care providers in your area about possibly sharing equipment
- Communicate, communicate, communicate
- Create a communication plan for all stakeholders. The World Health Organization has a great Communications Package that you can download and use.
- Make sure you have current emergency contact information for family members and loved ones.
- Keep residents and family members informed about the efforts you’re taking and any new developments.
- Prepare for media inquiries.
- For non-impacted facilities, download a template statement and talking points.
- For impacted facilities, download a template statement and talking points.
If a staff member shows symptoms: Have them put on a mask and go home immediately.
If a resident shows symptoms: Implement droplet precaution procedure, move them to an isolated room, and contact the local health department.