Toolkit for Nursing Homes to Stay Vigilant Against Respiratory Viruses
(Feb. 25, 2025) LeadingAge National met with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Feb. 20th for an update on respiratory viruses. Data shows high rates of flu activity with severe outcomes this season, as is being widely reported. The CDC reminds long-term care providers to remain vigilant and to activate outbreak response plans quickly when flu is suspected or confirmed. The CDC confirmed that the Viral Respiratory Pathogens Toolkit for Nursing Homes, Interim Guidance for Influenza Outbreak Management in Long-Term Care, and Testing and Management Considerations for Nursing Home Residents with Acute Respiratory Illness Symptoms when SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza are Co-circulating are up to date and available for use. The Trump administration has not required changes be made to these documents. New data from the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) and RESP-NET will be available soon.
This toolkit helps nursing home infection preventionists and leadership prepare for and respond to nursing home residents or health care personnel (HCP) who develop signs or symptoms of a respiratory viral infection. While the toolkit is tailored toward nursing homes, the resources and many of the listed actions could be adapted for use in other long-term care settings.
The actions for nursing homes to take are listed in the toolkit:
Vaccinate
- Provide recommended vaccines to residents and HCP, and provide information (e.g., graphic, posted materials, letters) to families and other visitors encouraging them to be vaccinated.
Allocate Resources
- Ensure that resource limitations (e.g., personal protective equipment (PPE), alcohol-based hand sanitizer (ABHS)) do not prevent HCP from adhering to recommended infection prevention and control (IPC) practices.
Monitor and Mask
- Be aware when levels of respiratory virus spread are increasing in the community. Close communication and collaboration with local and state health authorities can be helpful.
Educate
- Ensure that everyone, including residents, visitors, and HCP, are aware of recommended IPC practices in the facility, including when specific IPC actions are being implemented in response to new infections in the facility or increases in respiratory virus levels in the community (e.g., poster, mask graphic, mask photo).
Ventilate
- In consultation with facility engineers, explore options to improve ventilation delivery and indoor air quality in resident rooms and all shared spaces.
Test and Treat
- Develop plans to provide rapid clinical evaluation and intervention to ensure that residents receive timely treatment and/or prophylaxis when indicated.
Review the Testing and Management Considerations for Nursing Home Residents with Acute Respiratory Illness Symptoms when SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza are Co-circulating to assist with outbreak management.
Contact: Amy Nelson, anelson@leadingageny.org, 518-867-8383 ext. 146