Infection prevention and control for COVID-19: Interim guidance for long term care homes

Abstract

This document provides guidance specific to the COVID-19 pandemic in long term care homes (LTCHs). Individuals responsible for policy development, implementation and oversight of infection prevention and control measures at specific LTCHs should be familiar with relevant infection prevention and control (IPC) background documents on Routine Practices and Additional Precautions and occupational health and safety legislation. The term "staff" is intended to include anyone working in LTCHs, including but not limited to health care workers. Important measures to prevent introduction and spread of COVID-19 in LTCHs: Essential volunteers and visitors should be restricted to those deemed essential, meaning necessary to basic personal care (e.g. feeding), medical (e.g. phlebotomy) or compassionate (e.g. end of life) resident care, and in some cases visitors may be prohibited. All staff and essential volunteers and visitors must be trained and monitored for compliance with putting on and wearing a mask for the duration of their shift or visit, and discarding it afterward, and also to ensure vigilance in properly assessing the need for additional personal protective equipment (PPE), putting it on, wearing and removing it to minimize contamination of themselves and the immediate environment. Staff must support essential volunteers and visitors in appropriate use of PPE. All staff will use Droplet and Contact precautions, in addition to Routine Practices, for all care of residents with suspected or confirmed COVID- 19…