Long Term Care Facilities

Long-Term Care Facilities are at high risk for severe COVID-19 outbreaks due to their congregate nature and vulnerable population (e.g., older adults with multiple co-morbidities). These resources are intended to help long-term care facilities take the appropriate steps to prepare for and respond to cases of COVID-19 in their facility, and thereby protect the health of residents and staff.

Long-Term care facilities (nursing homes, assisted living facilities, adult family homes, etc.) reporting positive cased and/or requesting COVID-19 guidance, please call: Sheila Borden, RN, Infection Preventionist @ 509-886-6433.

Staff Guidance

• ‍WA DOH Guidance-Link
• CDC Guidance
• COVID Testing Standing Orders

Reporting Requirements

Long-term care facilities are required to report all suspected and confirmed outbreaks to their local health jurisdiction per Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 246-101-105.

• CDHD COVID-19 Positive Case Reporting Form
• CDHD COVID-19 Line List

Other Resources

• Respiratory Protection Program for Long-Term Care Facilities
• CDHD PPE Ordering Form

Staff Guidance

• Recommendations for Prevention and Control of Influenza Outbreaks in Long-Term Care Facilities (doh.wa.gov)
• Interim guidance for Influenza Outbreak Management in Long-Term Care and Post-Acute Care Facilities (cdc.gov)

Reporting Requirements

Long-term care facilities are required to report all suspected and confirmed outbreaks to their local health jurisdiction per Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 246-101-105. LTCFs are required to report the following:

• A Sudden increase in acute febrile respiratory illness over the normal background rate OR
• Any resident who tests positive for influenza

• Facilities may report to CDHD using the Influenza Outbreak Reporting Form (doh.wa.gov) or REDCap Survey (Contact CDHD for more information)
• Influenza-associated Death (Laboratory-confirmed) Form (doh.wa.gov)

Transmission-based Droplet Precautions Sign

• ‍English (cdc.gov); Spanish (cdc.gov)

Influenza Vaccine Information

• CDHD.wa.gov
• Key Facts About Seasonal Flu Vaccine (cdc.gov)

Influenza Antiviral Medications Information (cdc.gov)

Staff Guidance

• Norovirus Guidelines for Healthcare Settings (CDC.gov)
• Norovirus in Healthcare Facilities Fact Sheet (CDC.gov)
• OSHA Fact Sheet Norovirus (OSHA.gov)
• EPA List G: Antimicrobial Products Registered with EPA for Claims Against Norovirus (epa.gov)

Reporting Requirements

• Long-term care facilities are required to report all suspected and confirmed outbreaks to their local health jurisdiction per Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 246-101-105.
• Report GI Illness outbreaks to CDHD through either electronically through REDCap or fax/encrypted email.

• REDCap Link: https://redcap.doh.wa.gov/surveys/?s=KF9CPCFW9C  OR
• Fax/email GI Illness Outbreak Line List (pdf) GI Illness Outbreak Line List to (509)886-6478 or sheila.borden@cdhd.wa.gov

Other Resources

• Contact Precautions Sign (CDC.gov)
• Notification Alert for Norovirus Letter to Residents, Families, and/or Visitors (.docx) Notification Alert Letter Norovirus.docx

Infection Prevention for Long-Term Care Staff