Three New Infection Prevention and Control Resources Training LTC Staff in a COVID-19 World
AHCA/NCAL released three new resources to help long-term care providers and staff during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Infection Prevention and Control in the Post-COVID-19 World online course reviews how COVID-19 spreads, how to track and report the illness, and describes the regulatory requirements for infection prevention and control. The basics of infection prevention and control practices are discussed as is the future of infection prevention and control.
This course describes the process for cohorting and utilizing testing to inform cohorting practices; explains how to conduct self-assessment processes to continually evaluate and improve the infection prevention and control programs; and, reviews the process and necessity of screening practices and notifications to residents, families, and their representatives, including the importance of communication.
Infection Prevention and Control in the Post-COVID-19 World is designed for nurses, administrators, and clinical and non-clinical nursing home leadership management. NAB will award 3.0 CEs upon successful completion of a quiz, and the Iowa Board of Nursing has approved 3.0 contact hours upon successful completion of a quiz. The cost of the course is $199 for AHCA/NCAL members or $249 for non-members.
The second training, titled Basics of Infection Prevention and Control in the Post-COVID-19 World, is free and designed for all nursing facility and other long-term care staff members. This course reviews how COVID-19 spreads, what the signs and symptoms of COVID-19 are, and how to report the illness.
It reviews staff members' roles in reporting suspicions of respiratory illness. The online course also covers the basics of infection prevention and control practices, including the future of infection prevention and control. This program is free and available to AHCA/NCAL members, non-members and the general public.
AHCA/NCAL also developed a series of "Member Only" Infection Prevention and Control Action Briefs to help centers develop and improve their infection prevention and control programs. Action briefs are designed to be quick references to help long term care providers with meaningful implementation and tips. This resource includes six action briefs that focus on five key areas in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic:
- Introduction: The Infection Prevention and Control Program/Core Practices Connection
- Self-Assessment
- Communication and Documentation
- Cohorting and Testing
- Fostering Social Connections
- Supporting Staff Wellness
Each action brief combines two key concepts - infection prevention and control and core practices. Infection prevention and control (IP&C) is an essential component of care in all long-term care centers. Vital to the success of IP&C programs is a set of core practices that are the foundational building blocks for success in every aspect of resident care.
Members will need to login with their AHCA/NCAL usernames and passwords to register for the Infection Prevention and Control in the Post-COVID-19 World course and to access the free action briefs. For assistance obtaining AHCA/NCAL usernames and passwords, members should e-mail educate@ahca.org with their name and facility contact information.
The ahcancalED infection prevention and control resources can be found HERE. Members should reach out to AHCA/NCAL at covid19@ahca.org with any questions about COVID-19 and contact educate@ahca.org with any questions about either course or the action briefs resources.
Please contact Cathy Sunlin at CathySunlin@HCAM.org with questions.
July 24, 2020
