AHCA/NCAL (American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living) has developed an algorithm for testing and cohorting nursing home residents. This algorithm incorporates the latest guidance from CDC on the coronavirus.
AHCA/NCAL Algorithm for Testing and Cohorting Nursing Home Residents is a 10-page document posted on May 28, 2020. The 1st page is the algorithm with the remaining 9 pages consisting of these CDC guidances:
- Preparing for COVID-19 in Nursing Homes … May 19, 2020
- Testing Guidance for Nursing Homes … May 19, 2020
- Performing Facility-wide SARS-CoV-2 Testing in Nursing Homes … May 19, 2020
- Considerations for Memory Care Units in Long-term Care Facilities … May 12, 2020
- Responding to Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Nursing Homes … April 30, 2020
This resource addresses testing for residents that develop symptoms, new admissions and testing all resident simultaneously. This is a must-read, excellent resource.
Additionally, AHCA/NCAL released Keeping People Connected: Innovative Methods Using an Infection Prevention & Control Mindset on Thursday, May 28, 2020. This 3-page document is also a great read and resource with many ideas for keeping residents connected during this pandemic. I encourage you to read it with your staff. Talk about it with the residents you care for. I have no doubt that you’ll find very helpful ideas on beginning this process after 3 months of quarantine and self-isolation within the walls of your community. A thoughtful, planned and careful/informed approach is the basis for the suggestions in this document.
“The COVID-19 pandemic will remain a considerable threat to residents, patients and staff in long term and post-acute care until there is a vaccine and/or additional courses of treatment. Providers must adapt to this new normal in order to keep residents engaged physically, emotionally, and socially. Specifically, residents and patients need to be able to visit with their families and friends, as well as each other. Throughout this pandemic, providers have been using new ways to connect residents and patients with their loved ones remotely, such as through the use of technology. As communities at-large adapt to changing circumstances it is time to use additional, innovative methods to reconnect residents with the things they love to do and the people they love to see. Providers can use an infection control and prevention mindset to help come up with innovative methods of keeping residents connected. Below is a list of ideas to start the innovative brainstorming process.”
Open this document and start reading/planning today!
Want to keep up with the changing COVID-19 situation in skilled nursing?