CMS IPC Requirements:
- CMS released the following memorandum that provides the COVID-19 focused infection control survey: https://www.cms.gov/files/document/qso-20-20-allpdf.pdf
- Review all requirements to ensure that you are appropriately implementing all infection control practices (nursing homes and acute and continuing care).
- Contact admin@ipcwell.com if you need any assistance.
PPE Conservation:
- The CDC has created strategies for optimizing PPE and equipment during this pandemic: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/ppe-strategy/index.html
- If you are a healthcare facility and can buy bulk supplies, consider reaching out to Randy@westernsurg.com. IPCWell was provided this contact as a resource for providing much needed PPE.
- If your facility has any patient/resident that is confirmed or suspected COVID-19, universal use of facemask for healthcare personnel while in the facility should be implemented.
- If you have a patient/resident confirmed COVID-19, consider having healthcare personnel wear all recommended PPE (gown, gloves, eye protection, facemask) for the care of all residents/patients, regardless of presence of symptoms.
- Implement protocols for extended use of eye protection and facemasks.
Screening/Testing:
- Continue screening (temperature, questionnaire) for all individuals prior to entering the facility.
- Consider twice daily temperature readings for all staff.
- If testing a resident/patient for COVID-19, wear an N-95 mask or higher. If you have not been fit tested, wear a surgical mask (2 if supplies allow) and eye protection, and ensure proper hand hygiene before and after testing.
- The following COVID-19 priorities for testing was updated on March 24, 2020. There are currently three categories for testing: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/priority-testing-patients.pdf.
Return to Work Criteria for Healthcare Workers:
- Occupational health programs and public health officials making decisions about return to work for healthcare personnel (HCP) with confirmed COVID-19, or who have suspected COVID-19 (e.g., developed symptoms of a respiratory infection [e.g., cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, fever] but did not get tested for COVID-19).
- Decide on which strategy you will use that enables healthcare workers to return to work. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/healthcare-facilities/hcp-return-work.html
- Test-based strategy
- Non-test-based strategy
- Follow all work practices and work restrictions:
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- Always wear a facemask while in the healthcare facility until all symptoms are completely resolved, or until 14 days after illness onset, whichever is longer
- Be restricted from contact with severely immunocompromised patients (e.g., transplant, hematology-oncology) until 14 days after illness onset
- Adhere to hand hygiene, respiratory hygiene, and cough etiquette in CDC’s interim infection control guidance (e.g., cover nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, dispose of tissues in waste receptacles)
- Self-monitor for symptoms and seek re-evaluation from occupational health if respiratory symptoms recur or worsen
Environmental Cleaning:
Verify that your cleaning and disinfecting products are on the EPA-registered List N for use against SARS-CoV-2. https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-registration/list-n-disinfectants-use-against-sars-cov-2