Long-Term Care Assessment Areas
NETEC subject matter experts have developed a rubric for assessing operational elements for special pathogen preparedness, response, and recovery unique to the long-term care setting. Each section of the workbook is designed to assess capabilities and preparedness, and is accompanied by recommendations, tools, and guidance for improvements.
After completing the workbook, you will be able to identify strengths and areas for improvement in your infection prevention and control program in the following areas:
- Environmental Infection Control: Identify interventions aimed at avoiding, reducing, or eliminating transmission of infectious materials in the physical space through mechanical systems, engineering controls, cleaning and disinfection, and more.
- Education and Training: Ensure staff are provided with special pathogens training and education.
- Personal Protective Equipment: Review PPE inventory and management plans and shore up PPE use protocols.
- Continuity of Operations: Review the facility’s ability to perform essential functions during a special pathogen outbreak.
- Transitions: Check that pre-hospital transfer protocols include plans for communication with external partners, regular drills along the transport route, and that you are performing adequate risk identification and mitigation planning.
- In-house Transfers: Review protocols and staff training for identifying, isolating, and informing others of a possible special pathogen—at all points of entry and throughout internal transfers.
- Management of Care: Assess care capabilities related to the diagnosis and convalescence of residents with a special pathogen, confirm visitor protocols, and patient discharge procedures.
- Personnel Management: Define expectations for staff safety, training, and communication and identify leadership roles.
- Diagnostics and Specimen Collection: Identify staff or external personnel responsible for the collection, packaging, and shipping of special pathogens laboratory specimens, and provide education and training where appropriate.
- Waste Management: Ensure waste management processes are in accordance with state and federal regulations and that staff are educated and trained to manage waste.
- Care of the Deceased: Check staffing plans and training for decedent management, including handling human remains infected with a category A infectious substance, and review emotional and behavioral health support plans for staff involved in a special pathogen related death.
- Research: Confirm collaborations with external partners on research initiatives i.e., administering investigation medication, and review plans to communicate research initiatives with staff, families, and residents.