LTC Facility COVID-19 Guidance
ADHS has updated the LTC Facility COVID-19 Guidance to address recent updates to CDC guidance.
Core Principles of COVID-19 Infection Prevention
Dear Healthcare Providers,
ADHS has updated the LTC Facility COVID-19 Guidance to address recent updates to CDC guidance. This document consolidates the testing guidance and serves as guidance to long-term care facilities (LTCF) such as skilled nursing and residential healthcare facilities to implement best practices for the prevention, detection, and infection control necessary to contain the spread of COVID-19 within a facility. Some of the recommendations are more specific for skilled nursing facilities; residential facilities can utilize these recommendations as applicable.
The COVID-19 Guidance for Visitation at Congregate Settings for Vulnerable Adults and Children has been sunsetted. To minimize any confusion that occurred when facilities were required to abide by both state and national guidelines, moving forward Arizona’s visitation standards have been aligned with national standards which utilize the most current evidence and are routinely updated. Congregate settings should refer to the updated CDC/CMS visitation guidance for safely allowing visitation at their facilities. Visitation is allowed for all residents, and facilities must maintain infection prevention practices by adhering to the Core Principles of COVID-19 Infection Prevention at all times.
Core Principles of COVID-19 Infection Prevention
- Exclude visitors who are symptomatic or should be in isolation or quarantine.
- Encourage frequent hand hygiene with soap and water or alcohol-based hand rub, especially before and after visits.
- Visitors and residents should wear masks and physically distance themselves during visits when the county has substantial or high community transmission.
- Post instructional signage throughout the facility and educate visitors on facility practices.
- Clean and/or disinfect frequently touched surfaces in the facility often and in designated visitation areas after each visit.
- All staff should use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Residents with COVID-19 should continue to be cohorted in a separate area dedicated to COVID-19 care.
- Required resident and staff testing for COVID-19 should continue to be conducted.
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