Preventing the Spread of COVID-19

Best Practices Guide for COVID-19 Infection Control and Prevention in Nursing Homes (PDF, 1 MB)
This resource addresses infection control and prevention in nursing homes, highlighting screening and monitoring, testing and responding, and quarantine and isolation. It also provides a sample decision tree for monitoring residents during daily encounters for signs and symptoms of COVID-19.

COVID-19 Identification & Prevention Learning Modules
This series of three learning modules focuses on identifying the signs and symptoms of COVID-19, knowing when and how to report signs and symptoms of COVID-19, and remembering to maintain infection prevention processes.

Hand Hygiene Observational Audit Tracking Tool (XLSX, 477 KB) and User Guide (PDF, 1 MB)
This pre-programmed Excel workbook compiles hand hygiene observational data by individual, shift, position, location, and department to help staff regularly review opportunities for hand hygiene performance improvement. The user guide gives nursing home staff detailed step-by-step instructions with visuals to record, analyze, and review observational audit data using the tracking tool itself.

Incorporating Infection Prevention and Control into an Emergency Preparedness Plan (PDF, 236 KB)
This resource provides nursing home leaders and infection preventionists with an outline of the critical components of an emergency preparedness plan, including an emerging infectious diseases element. It also includes a Sample Disaster Preparedness Plan Letter to Families [Word, 30 KB] to help nursing homes update the emergency contact information for residents.

Observational Audits: A Pathway to Improving Infection Prevention and Preventing the Spread of COVID-19 (PDF, 531 KB)
These resources equip skilled nursing facilities with an understanding of observational audits that can be implemented to support increased compliance with infection prevention practices, including hand hygiene, personal protective equipment, and environmental cleaning procedures.

Post-Vaccination Practices Learning Modules
This series of two learning modules features strategies to help nursing home teams minimize infection risk in their facility.

Personal Protective Equipment COVID-19 Observational Audit Data Tracking Tool and User Guide
The Personal Protective Equipment COVID-19 Observational Audit Data Tracking Tool and User Guide help nursing homes identify performance patterns and target improvement more readily with an analytic tool to compile personal protective equipment (PPE) audit data

Respirator Fit Testing—What It Is, Why You Need It, and What You Can Expect (PDF, 635 MB)
This three-page educational reference tool details how to prepare for a respirator fit test, how often it is needed, the steps involved, and how to perform a seal check. It also includes additional informational resources.