Guidelines for preventing respiratory illness in older adults aged 60 years and above living in long-term care: A rapid review of clinical practice guidelines

Patricia Rios; Amruta Radhakrishnan; Sonia M. Thomas; Nazia Darvesh; Sharon E. Straus; Andrea C. Tricco

When visitor restrictions are implemented, the facility should facilitate remote communication between the resident and visitors (e.g., video-call applications on cell phones or tablets), and have policies addressing when and how visitors might still be allowed to enter the facility (e.g., end of life situations). Evaluate and Manage Residents with Symptoms of Respiratory Infection Ask residents to report if they feel feverish or have symptoms of respiratory infection. Promptly assess residents for fever and symptoms and signs of respiratory infection upon admission and throughout their stay in the facility. Implement appropriate infection prevention practices for symptomatic residents: If a resident has severe respiratory infection, or a cluster (e.g., ≥ 3 residents or HCP with new-onset respiratory symptoms over 72 hours) of residents has symptoms of respiratory infection, or there is an increase in cases reported in the community, begin active monitoring of all residents and HCP in the facility for signs and symptoms.