The nation’s healthcare facilities are reeling as COVID-19 cases surge, and facility managers are redoubling the strategies and tactics they have used since March in an effort to control the spread of the coronavirus in their buildings and protect patients and staff. These measures include upgrading HVAC systems – in particular, air filtration monitoring – and reinforcing efforts to sanitize surfaces in order to minimize transmission. Managers in assisted living facilities now have another resource to add to their arsenals.

Responding to a worsening pandemic, Argentum assembled a working group of clinical experts to address key COVID-related challenges and to guide its assisted living members, according to McKnight’s Senior Living. The group has compiled an infection prevention and control document that aims to prevent the spread of infectious disease in communities, identifies precautions to mitigate the spread of disease and provides planning for future pandemics.

A nationwide infection prevention and control work group of clinical experts created the comprehensive guidance to help assisted living communities assess their readiness for handling infectious diseases and identify areas that need attention. 

The document’s main recommendation is to put infection prevention and control programs in place. The document includes guidelines on resident and employee health practices, cohorting of residents, contact tracing, data collection, telehealth and resident compassion. There also are sample forms and reporting templates.

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