Long Term Care Facilities

Recommendations for Long Term Care Facilities During COVID-19 Outbreak

The Washington State Department of Health has developed this webpage to provide up to date resource to assist long term and residential care facilities in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. While the situation is evolving, at this time we believe that older patients and those with chronic medical conditions may be at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19. Long term care facilities have experience managing respiratory infections and outbreaks among residents and staff and should apply the same outbreak management principles to COVID-19. Outbreak status: Novel Coronavirus Outbreak 2020, DOH   Coronavirus Disease 2019, CDC.

Order by the Washington State Health Officer: COVID-19 Screening in Certain Congregate Facilities and Agencies (PDF), September 15, 2020

Resources

• Example Visitor Announcement (PDF)
• Guidance for Persons Who are at Higher Risk for Serious Illness
• Interim COVID-19 Outbreak Definition for Healthcare Settings (PDF)
• Interim Guidance for Long-Term Care: Transferring between Long-Term Care and other Healthcare Settings (PDF)
• Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Guidance for Long-Term Care Facilities (PDF)
• Nursing Home Infection Prevention Assessment Tool for COVID-19 (PDF)

LTCF Safe Start

• Interim Supplemental Guidance for Group Activities and Communal Dining in LTCF (PDF)
• Outdoor Visitation for LTCF (PDF)
• Risk Assessment Template for Residents/Clients after Community Visits (PDF)
• Safe Start Plans & FAQs - FamHelp Facility Status and Information (DSHS)

Reporting

• DSHS COVID-19 Facility Survey (all DSHS licensed facilities)
• CDC/NHSN LTCF COVID-19 Module page (nursing homes/skilled nursing, LTC for developmentally disabled - optional, and assisted living - optional)
• CMS COVID-19 NHSN Requirements for Nursing Homes (PDF)
• How to Join the WA DOH LTCF NHSN Group (PDF)
• DSHS Dear Administrator letter 5/22/2020: Update on State Portal to Report Required COVID-19 Data to CDC (PDF)
• DSHS Dear Administrator letter 5/7/2020: NH Interim Final Rule Updating Requirements for Notification of Confirmed and Suspected COVID-19 Cases Among Residents and Staff in Nursing Homes (PDF)

Testing in Nursing Homes

• Interim Supplemental Guidance for Nursing Home COVID-19 Antigen Testing (PDF)
• CMS QSO-20-38 NH 8/26/2020 Interim Final Rule (IFC), CMS-3401-IFC, Additional Policy and Regulatory Revisions in Response to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency related to Long-Term Care (LTC) Facility Testing Requirements and Revised COVID19 Focused Survey Tool (PDF)
• FAQ: Your COVID-19 Test Results are Negative (PDF)
• List of Providers Authorized to Collect Specimens for COIVD-19 Testing (PDF)
• Universal Testing in Nursing Homes and Assisted Living with Memory Care Units (PDF) 6/9 webinar content
• Self-Swab Nasal Collection Instructions (PDF)
• Self-Swab Mid-Turbinate Collection Instructions (PDF)
• Nasopharyngeal (NP) Specimen Collection Instructions

Tools

• Employee Callout Log (PDF) (EXCEL)
• Quarantine Sign (PDF)
• Aerosol Precautions (PDF)
• Visitor Log (PDF)

Transportation 

• Adult Family Home Transportation Decision (PDF)
• Assisted Living Facilities Transportation Decision (PDF)
• Skilled Nursing Facilities Transportation Decision (PDF)

Recommendations for Business

• Guidance for Businesses and Employers to Plan and Respond to COVID-19, CDC
• Planning for a coronavirus pandemic: A guide for businesses and organizations, CDC
• Resources for Businesses Impacted by COVID-19
• Resources for Workers Impacted by COVID-19 

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) updates

• Suspension of Survey Activities (PDF)
• Guidance for Infection Control and Prevention of COVID-19 in nursing homes (PDF)
• COVID-19 Long-Term Care Facility Guidance (PDF)