• Review your facility’s infection control policies and procedures required by N.C.G.S. 131D-4.4A (https://www.ncleg.net/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/BySection/Chapter_131D/GS_131D-4.4A.html). Although these policies and procedures are mainly focused toward blood-borne pathogens, the law requires that they include topics such as cleaning and sanitation, blood and bodily fluid precautions, and accessibility of infection control supplies which are all applicable to preventing the spread of illnesses such as influenza, COVID-19, and norovirus.
• Review the Adult Care Home Infection Control Training course with facility staff. The training is located on the ACLS website at https://info.ncdhhs.gov/dhsr/acls/training/pdf/InfectionControl.pdf.
• Post the telephone number to your local county health department in a place visible to staff.
• Communicate proactively with residents, staff, and other visitors regarding facility visitation policies and restrictions that may result based on the recommendations of the local health department.
• Communicate proactively with staff about monitoring and reporting their own and resident symptoms. Provide guidance on when to stay home, and when to return to work.
• Assure strict adherence to infection prevention practices, including hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette.
• Remind staff and residents and post signage throughout the facility on some practical things we can all do to prevent the spread of any respiratory illness, such as cold or flu: