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

Generally, LTCHs and PHUs discuss with OMT members the respiratory infection outbreak IPAC measures and decide jointly on appropriate measures to implement. The extent to which outbreak IPAC measures can be implemented and what is considered reasonable throughout the course of each outbreak will vary. Examples of reasonable and appropriate measures during the course of an outbreak include: •limiting visiting hours; •limiting the number of residents with whom the visitor has contact; •requiring anyone (including visitors, other residents, etc.) providing direct care toa resident on Additional Precautions to wear the necessary PPE; •requiring visitors to not visit when they have an ARI; •requiring visitors to wear the required PPE when visiting a resident on Additional Precautions and to carefully remove and discard PPE and perform HH upon leaving the room; •requiring residents to wear a gown, masks or other PPE, if they have an ARI and are leaving their room or are within 2 metres of others who are not wearing PPE; •posting signs at entrances of LTCHs and/or affected unit/area, discouraging visitors during the outbreak period; and •notifying persons of the outbreak.