The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Infection Control Assessment and Response (ICAR) tool was updated on January 7, 2022. ICAR tools are used to systematically assess a healthcare facility’s infection prevention and control (IPC) practices and guide quality improvement.
Significant changes to the ICAR tool include:
- Updated guidance on COVID-19 testing in nursing homes
- COVID-19 immunization of residents and healthcare personnel
- Situations in which source control is recommended for healthcare personnel
- How community levels of transmission affect personal protective equipment (PPE) used when caring for residents without suspected or confirmed COVID-19 infection.
The January 7, 2022, update does not include changes to isolation and quarantine guidance which was posted in December 2021. Nursing home leadership can make the decision to use the ICAR tool in its entirety or to use different parts of the tool to meet their needs and priorities as part of their quality improvement efforts.
The CDC’s updated ICAR tool can be accessed here.
The CDC’s updated ICAR tool facilitator guide can be accessed here.
The ICAR’s frequently asked questions page can be accessed here.
Compliance Perspective
Issue
As the pandemic continues, nursing facilities must remain vigilant against the spread of COVID-19 and other infections. The ICAR tool can assist facilities to develop a robust infection prevention and control program to decrease the likelihood of spreading pathogens. All facilities should review policies and procedures for providing safe care and the promotion of improving quality care and quality of life standards. The Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) committee can be an asset to help achieve high quality of care and high quality of life standards.
Discussion Points
- Review your Infection Control Plan to ensure that the most up-to-date interventions are incorporated into your plan. Update as necessary.
- Train all staff on your Infection Control Plan. Provide training on how to use the various sections of the ICAR tool to the Infection Preventionist and other appropriate staff as part of your QAPI efforts. Place the signed training documents in each employee’s education file.
- Periodically audit to ensure that all staff are following your Infection Control Plan and that the Plan includes the most current information that is available. Review the ICAR tool to determine which sections to implement initially, and consider incorporating all sections into your auditing and monitoring activities.
