Identify Infections Early - HAN
Breadcrumb
Jump To:
Overview
Critical Step 2
Identify Infections Early
- Actively screen all residents every shift for signs and symptoms of COVID-19; if symptomatic, immediately isolate, test, and implement appropriate Transmission-Based Precautions.
- Older adults with COVID-19 may not show typical symptoms such as fever or respiratory symptoms. Atypical symptoms may include new or worsening malaise, new dizziness, or diarrhea. Identification of these symptoms should prompt isolation and further evaluation for COVID-19.
- Actively screen all staff pre-shift and mid-shift for signs and symptoms of COVID-19; if symptomatic, immediately exclude from work.
- Test all previously negative staff on a weekly basis.
- Test all symptomatic and/or exposed residents as soon as possible. Additionally, if your facility has had a staff or nursing home-onset resident case within the past 28 days, test all previously negative residents on a weekly basis until 28 days have elapsed since the specimen collection date for the most recent case.
- Notify the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) if these occur:
- Clusters of respiratory infection
- Individuals with suspected or confirmed COVID-19
Tools & Resources
-
Reporting Cases
-
-
If your facility does not have access to INEDSS or you need to report a cluster of 1 or more cases (at least one of which is lab-confirmed) in a congregate setting (such as a long-term care facility, childcare setting, correctional facility, etc), please complete the COVID-19 Online Case Report form (a confidential online survey powered by IDPH REDCap).
-
-
-
All skilled nursing facilities must submit a facility summary report
-
Due to CDPH on Thursdays by 12 p.m.
-
Reports must include all residents and staff with confirmed COVID infections (to date) along with any currently symptomatic residents and staff
-
Facilities can submit their Facility Summary Reports using the CDPH Facility Summary Report Upload Site
-
-
-
Website which contains instructions and other resources for LTCFs submitting COVID-19 data via NHSN
-
-
-
Form that must be completed daily by LTCFs that tested residents or staff using a rapid antigen testing machine
-
-
-
Resident Monitoring Guidance
-
-
Excel template that can be used to conduct syndromic surveillance for COVID-19 among LTCF staff and residents
-
-
-
IDPH guidance on how to monitor residents for signs and symptoms of COVID-19, including how frequently monitoring should occur and what type of information should be collected
-
-
Closely Monitor Residents (7:16)
-
CDC video for frontline staff covering how to recognize new or worsening COVID-19 infections in LTCF residents
-
-
-
Specimen Collection Guidance
-
-
Instructions on how to collect nasopharyngeal, anterior nares, oropharyngeal, mid turbinate specimens.
-
-
NP specimen collection video (7:19) Courtesy of NETEC
-
Video with instructions on how to collect a nasopharyngeal specimen
-
-
Anterior nares (nasal swab) specimen collection video *coming soon*
-
Video with instructions on how to collect an anterior nares (nasal) specimen
-
-
-
To request swabs and packing supplies from the IDPH Laboratory, please complete the online request form. Note that you will need your facility's outbreak number, which you can request from CDPH, to order supplies.
-
-
-
Form that must be completed for each COVID-19 specimen submitted to the IDPH laboratory.
-
-
-
Instructions on how to properly label, store, and transport specimens to the IDPH laboratory. Also includes information on how results will be reported.
-
-
-
Testing Guidance
-
-
Website outlining requirements for LTCFs to complete a facility response plan, develop a testing plan and response strategy, and test all residents and staff.
-
-
-
Interim testing guidance in response to suspected or confirmed COVID-19 in Nursing Home Residents and Healthcare Personnel
-
-
-
Template outlining how facilities should structure their mandatory testing and response strategy
-
-
-
Interim guidance to help guide the appropriate usage of rapid antigen tests for surveillance, diagnostic, and screening purposes
-
-
-
CDC guidance on the use of antigen testing in nursing homes
-
-
-
HHS presentation with BD and Quidel to review features of the antigen testing machines distributed by the federal government and outline related training support
-
-
-
CDPH PowerPoint presentation which reviews setting up the testing area, performing the test, interpreting results, clean up, and reporting
-
-
-
Memo which outlines lot numbers, original expiration dates, and revised expiration dates for BinaxNOW cards
-
-
-
NHSN training presentation for how to enter antigen testing data into the NHSN reporting pathway
-
-
-
MMWR article outlining low sensitivity of antigen testing on asymptomatic individuals.
-
-
-
Document with answers to frequenty asked questions regarding testing requirements by CMS.
-
-
-
Required Communications to Residents, Families, and Staff
-
-
CMS requires facilities to notify residents, family, and staff when COVID-19 cases are identified within the facility by the next 5 pm the next calendar day.
-
-
-
Illinois requirements for long term care facility notification to residents and residents’ next of kin, guardians or emergency contacts when that resident, another resident or a staff member is diagnosed with COVID-19.
-
-
COVID-19 Reporting
For COVID-19 Long-Term Care Guidance And Support:
How To Report COVID-19 Cases To CDPH:
Both individual lab-confirmed cases and clusters are reportable conditions. Providers must report all positive cases into INEDSS or, if your facility does not have access to INEDSS, via the COVID-19 Online Case Report Form (a confidential online survey powered by IDPH REDCap).
All facilities must submit a weekly COVID-19 Facility Summary Report, capturing all known residents and staff with confirmed COVID-19 infections to date along with any currently symptomatic residents or staff. This report is due each Thursdays by 12 p.m. and can be submitted using the CDPH Facility Summary Report Upload Site.
We also ask that any potential reinfections (e.g., new positive results >90 days after the original infection) be reported through the optional SARS-CoV-2 Reinfection Case Investigation Form.