Guidance for Long Term Care Facilities

PPE Request for Facilities 1-4-22 Update:

For PPE requests, please email emaresourcerequests@peoriacounty.org with numbers of what and how much is needed. 

Statewide and County-Level LTC data

Statewide data on LTC outbreaks and deaths: http://dph.illinois.gov/covid19/long-term-care-data-covid19

County-level data on facility outbreaks: http://dph.illinois.gov/covid19/long-term-care-facility-outbreaks-covid-19

Guidance

3/19/21 - Updated Guidance for Nursing Homes and Other Long-Term Care Facilities Incorporating COVID-19 Vaccination (PDF)

Testing

Order testing supplies at: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/23f8f4130df043568f2e92169b8cda40

12-23-20 Antigen Test Kit access information

The specimen tubes need to remain cold before and after testing (storing them in a refrigerator is fine, and the lab will send ice packs for mailing them). The lab in Springfield can only receive tests Mon-Fri during business hours, so make sure that you send the specimens within 48 hrs of collection, and do not mail them after noon on Thursday. They will send everything you need for collection and shipping. The supplies you will need are laid out on the order form.

Staff will need to collect the samples. The following YouTube link demonstrates how to collect the specimens: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVJNWefmHjE

Vaccination

If you did not contract with Walgreens or CVS for COVID-19 vaccine distribution, email Jill Stowe at jstowe@peoriacounty.org for information.

Additional FAQs for LTCFs

Where can I submit a complaint about a non-compliant LTCF?https://dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/health-care-regulation/complaints
We need additional PPE. What resources are available through PCHD? For PPE requests, please email emaresourcerequests@peoriacounty.org with numbers of what and how much is needed. Disposable face masks, face shields, gloves, gowns, N95 Respirators, safety glasses, 80% alcohol antiseptic that can be used as hand sanitizer or disinfectant (liquid form not gel)  are available. Facilities may also request via the Online Resource Request Portal.
Can we admit new residents while in outbreak status?Yes, however, social distancing guidelines need to be maintained during the intake process and should be done virtually if possible. CDC guidelines: Create a Plan for Managing New Admissions and Readmissions Whose COVID-19 Status is Unknown.
 Depending on the prevalence of COVID-19 in the community, this might include placing the resident in a single-person room or in a separate observation area so the resident can be monitored for evidence of COVID-19. HCP should wear an N95 or higher-level respirator (or facemask if a respirator is not available), eye protection (i.e., goggles or a face shield that covers the front and sides of the face), gloves, and gown when caring for these residents. Residents can be transferred out of the observation area to the main facility if they remain afebrile and without symptoms for 14 days after their admission. Testing at the end of this period can be considered to increase certainty that the resident is not infected.
if we have gone 14 days with no new positives, can we change testing frequency?Yes. If the facility goes 14 days without a case they may go to only testing staff and symptomatic residents using the CMS case positivity rate. (if >10%, staff need to be tested 2x per week)
What do the acronyms SNF, ALF, CILA, LTCF mean?SNF = Skilled Nursing Facility, ALF = Adult Living Facility, CILA = Community Integrated Living Arrangement, LTCF = Long-term Care Facility