On December 29, 2020, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released updates to their COVID-19 toolkit for healthcare providers. Among their featured resources is a toolkit for COVID-19 Vaccines at Long Term Care (LTC) facilities. The toolkit was created to provide LTC administrators and clinical leadership with information and resources to build vaccine confidence among healthcare personnel (HCP) and residents.
The COVID-19 Vaccines at LTC facilities toolkit addresses the importance of COVID-19 vaccination in LTC facilities and provides strategies for encouraging COVID-19 vaccination. It includes tools a facility may use to monitor COVID-19 vaccination side effects among staff and residents.
Additional featured Resources for the COVID-19 Vaccine provided by the CDC include:
- Clinical Resources for COVID-19 Vaccines
- Vaccine Communication Toolkit for Medical Centers, Clinics, and Clinicians
The CDC also updated their Guidance and Planning tools to help clinicians make decisions, protect employees, and to communicate with communities regarding COVID-19. The Guidance and Planning Documents include:
- Clinical Care Guidance for Healthcare Professionals about COVID-19
- Considerations for Wearing Masks
- Additional COVID-19 Guidance for Caregivers of People Living with Dementia in Community Settings
- Interim Additional Guidance for Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Patients with Suspected or Confirmed COVID-19 in Outpatient Hemodialysis Facilities
Additionally, the CDC is providing web resources for healthcare providers and patients, along with frequently asked questions (FAQs) documents.
The updated toolkits and additional resources can be accessed here.
Compliance Perspective
Issue
The COVID-19 vaccination plays an important role in reducing the spread of COVID-19. Residents and staff may have hesitancy for being one of the first to receive the vaccine. Leaders in long-term care are being looked upon as role models in receiving the vaccine. It is imperative that leaders, residents, families, and staff are provided the most accurate education regarding COVID-19 and the vaccine.
Discussion Points
- Review policies and procedures on the COVID-19 vaccine and your Infection Control Program policies and procedures. The most update and accurate information available on COVID-19 and the vaccine should be incorporated into your policies. The policies for the vaccine should be written separately, with education available for both residents and staff. Revise existing policies as appropriate.
- Educate staff, residents, and their families on the most updated and accurate information on COVID-19 and on the importance of receiving the vaccine, as well as the potential side effects. Document that the trainings occurred, and file the signed training document in each employee’s education file.
- Periodically audit by talking with residents, staff, and families to determine their understanding of COVID-19, the importance of receiving the vaccine, and how to observe for potential side effects of the vaccine.
