Ensuring robust infection prevention and control (IPC) practices is paramount in all healthcare settings, and especially vital within long-term care facilities. To support these efforts, a comprehensive Infection Prevention And Control Assessment Tool For Long-term Care Facilities has been developed to evaluate and enhance IPC protocols. This tool is designed for use in various healthcare environments including acute care, long-term care, and outpatient settings, excluding outpatient hemodialysis facilities (for which specific resources are available).
This invaluable tool is structured into modules, allowing assessors to tailor their evaluations based on time constraints, specific facility concerns, or the prevalence of particular organisms. The modular design ensures flexibility and targeted assessment, maximizing the effectiveness of infection prevention strategies.
For those seeking to leverage digital solutions, an ICAR Web Application is readily accessible at https://icar-app.cdc.gov. This web application is an optional resource designed to aid public health jurisdictions in their quality improvement initiatives related to IPC.
To facilitate effective utilization of this resource, training on the ICAR tool and Web Application is available through the TeleICAR team, a part of the Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion. Public health jurisdictions can benefit significantly from this training to optimize their IPC assessment and response strategies.
For detailed instructions on using the tool, refer to the Infection Control Assessment and Response (ICAR) Tool for General Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Across Settings document, available for download.
Understanding the Structure of the IPC Assessment Tool
The infection prevention and control assessment tool for long-term care facilities is organized into distinct sections to facilitate a thorough and systematic evaluation. These sections are designed to cover different aspects of IPC, from facility demographics to practical observation of implemented practices.
Section 1: Facility Demographics and Infrastructure
The initial section focuses on gathering essential facility demographics and critical infrastructure information. This section is designed to be completed by the long-term care facility in advance of the assessment. Pre-collection of this data is crucial as it often requires facilities to retrieve specific information or consult with various staff members, thereby saving valuable time during the on-site assessment.
The information gathered in this section provides crucial context for the subsequent assessment modules. The ICAR facilitator will then determine if any responses require verbal clarification or further discussion at the start of the assessment. If the demographic data is clear and comprehensive, the assessment can proceed to the next sections, referencing this demographic information as needed throughout the process.
Demographics forms for individual healthcare settings are available for download, ready to be sent to the facility prior to the ICAR assessment:
Section 2: Facilitator Guide Assessment Modules for IPC Practices
Section 2 comprises a range of assessment modules intended for interactive review and discussion of IPC policies and practices with the long-term care facility staff. These modules delve into various critical aspects of infection prevention, using a structured question format to guide the conversation and data collection.
The questions within these modules are designed in two primary formats:
- Closed-ended questions: These typically require a simple “yes/no” response, providing straightforward data points on specific practices.
- Open-ended questions: These questions are designed to elicit more detailed and descriptive responses, encouraging facilities to elaborate on their protocols and implementation strategies. To aid in data collection for open-ended questions, common responses are often listed. It is important to note that these listed responses are for data collection assistance and may not always represent recommended IPC practices. Facilitators are advised to consult the facilitator guide to ensure alignment with recommended best practices.
Most modules in Section 2 are also complemented by corresponding observation components, detailed in Section 3, to verify the practical application of discussed policies.
Click on each Module below to open the tool in a fillable PDF document.
Section 3: Observation Forms for Practical IPC Assessment
Section 3 is dedicated to observation forms, which are crucial for the practical assessment of infection prevention practices within the long-term care facility. This section focuses on evaluating the actual implementation of the policies and practices discussed in Section 2.
For in-person assessments, facilitators are encouraged to expand observations beyond the scope defined in this tool to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the facility’s IPC environment.
It’s important to note that observation sections are also integrated within the corresponding modules in Section 2, providing a cohesive approach to assessment.
Click on each link below to open the form in a fillable PDF document.
Key Acronyms and Definitions in Infection Prevention and Control
To ensure clarity and consistency in understanding the infection prevention and control assessment tool for long-term care facilities, it is important to be familiar with the following acronyms and definitions:
ICAR: Stands for Infection Control Assessment and Response Program, the overarching framework for these assessment tools.
IP: Abbreviation for Infection Prevention, the core discipline focused on preventing the spread of infections.
Healthcare Personnel IP Competency: Refers to the demonstrable Healthcare Personnel IP Competency: Refers to the demonstrable ability of healthcare staff to effectively apply essential knowledge, skills, and abilities to prevent pathogen transmission during patient care.
Healthcare Personnel IP Competency-Based Training: This involves providing job-specific education, training, and competency assessments to ensure healthcare personnel achieve and maintain the necessary Healthcare Personnel IP Competency.
Competency Assessment: The process of verifying IP competency through methods such as knowledge-based testing and direct observation of practices. When direct observation is not feasible, alternative methods must be employed to confirm healthcare personnel possess the required knowledge and skills.
Audit: In the context of IPC, an Audit is the direct observation or monitoring of healthcare personnel adherence to job-specific infection prevention measures.
Feedback: Following an audit, Feedback is provided as a summary of the audit findings. This feedback is crucial for targeting areas for performance improvement and enhancing overall IPC practices within the long-term care facility.
By utilizing this comprehensive infection prevention and control assessment tool for long-term care facilities, healthcare facilities can systematically evaluate and strengthen their IPC programs, ultimately contributing to safer and healthier environments for residents and staff alike.
