Infection prevention and control (IPC) is essential for safe, high-quality care in long-term care (LTC) settings. Effective IPC practices prevent the spread of infections, protecting vulnerable residents/clients from serious health risks. Given that residents/clients in these settings often have underlying health conditions or weakened immune systems, maintaining robust IPC practices is crucial to their safety and well-being.
While core IPC practices – such as hand hygiene, use of personal protective equipment (PPE), environmental cleaning, and vaccination – are consistent across settings, specific requirements differ by setting type. LTC providers should stay updated on federal and state regulations to ensure compliance and safety.
General Infection Prevention and Control Guidelines
Nationally recognized standards from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
- Infection Control Basics
- Standard Precautions for All Patient Care
- Transmission-Based Precautions
- Respiratory Protection Program Requirements in Long-Term Care Settings
Covid-19 and Emerging Infectious Diseases
COVID-19
- Community vs healthcare guidance for COVID-19 - RCS Dear Administer/Provider Letter: CHANGE IN COMMUNITY COVID-19 GUIDANCE
- CDC: Respiratory Virus Guidance
- CDC: Communal Setting Guidance: How to Protect Yourself and Others
- DOH: Respiratory Protection Program for Long-Term Care Facilities
- DOH: COVID-19 Preparedness and Outbreak Control Checklist for Long Term Care Facilities
For more information on how to care for resident/client with COVID-19 visit the CDC’s Infection Control Guidance: SARS-CoV-2.
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Setting-Specific Resources
- Adult Family Homes
- Nursing Homes
Training Tools and Resources
- WA Project Firstline: Project Firstline is a nation-wide project supported by CDC and the Washington State Department of Health to provide frontline healthcare workers with infection prevention and control education.
- CDC Train Nursing Home Infection Preventionist Training: This course trains those responsible for IPC programs to effectively implement their programs and ensure staff follow recommended practices. It covers core IPC topics and details strategies to prevent pathogen transmission, reduce healthcare-associated infections and combat antibiotic resistance.
Links to Key Agencies
- CDC
- Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)
- Washington State Department of Health (DOH)
- Local Health Jurisdictions
Contact us:
For questions or more information, please email us at ipc.epteam@dshs.wa.gov