The COVID-19 pandemic has been a particularly troubling one for long-term care centers, particularly skilled nursing facilities and assisted living facilities. Seniors – many with pre-existing health conditions – living in close quarters makes it difficult to contain the virus, so the key is keeping it out in the first place.
This requires a concerted effort from staff and the community in general. University Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing has four strategies that should be adopted to help slow the spread.
- Have a Good Staff Ratio
Facilities must have enough nurses to cover the residents in the facility, but this becomes even more important in case a staff member tests positive for the virus or residents either are infected or placed in quarantine. A separate nursing staff should attend for these suspected cases.
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Having the tools to fight this virus are essential, and those tools come in the form of PPE. Facilities need to have enough face masks, face shields, gowns, and gloves to be able to handle an outbreak.
- Frequent Tests
Some states are mandating tests every other week in order to catch asymptomatic cases in staff. Regardless of the legal requirements, frequent testing is a necessary part of being able to control the virus.
- Training and Certification
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), state and county health departments, and several other agencies have been holding in-service training and webinars to go over standard precautions, best practices, and other training as it relates to the pandemic and keeping it out of long-term care facilities. Employees should be afforded every opportunity to attend.
To learn more about University Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing and all of the services they offer, visit http://university-center.facilities.centershealthcare.org/.
