Information for Long-Term Care Facilities

Last content update: 11/9/23

Face Masks are required in Patient Care Areas of Healthcare Delivery Facilities during the Winter Respiratory Virus Period, from November 1 through March 31. For more information, see the full Health Order text or visit the Public Health Orders Frequently Asked Questions webpage.

Welcome Long-Term Care Facility (LTCF) partners. The resources listed here are for LTCF Administrators, Directors of Nursing (DONs), Infection Prevention (IP) Nurses/IP team members, Directors of Staff Development (DSD), and other LTCF team members that play a role in the prevention and control of COVID-19 infections in LTCFs. 

Reporting

Reporting is an essential part of public health response to diseases. Not only is disease reporting required by law, it also helps shape our response as the information is used to detect outbreaks, identify exposures in high-risk settings, and inform the allocation of local resources. 

In addition to the guidance on this webpage, Long-Term Care Facilities should refer to the Infectious Disease and Other Reportable Conditions webpage to ensure they are in compliance with all reporting requirements. If you have questions regarding reporting or need to report a disease urgently, please call (408) 885-4214.

    What should Long-Term Care Facilities report to Public Health? 

    1. All COVID-19 cases* who are suspected to have acquired the virus at a Long-Term Care Facility or are believed to be part of a Healthcare Facility outbreak. 
    2. All COVID-19-related hospitalizations and deaths associated with a Long-Term Care Facility should be reported to Public Health. 

    *COVID-19 cases include any and all newly positive residents, patients, staff, and/or contractors believed to be part of a Healthcare Facility cluster or outbreak.

    How can Long-Term Care Facilities report COVID-19 to Public Health?

    • Reporting of COVID-19 is completed online through the Shared Portal for Outbreak Tracking (SPOT).
    • Long-Term Care Facilities that report COVID-19 cases by phone will be redirected to report the cases through SPOT. 

    Where can I find more information about COVID-19 Reporting Requirements? 

     

    Shared Portal for Outbreak Tracking (SPOT)

    SPOT Resources

     

    COVID-19 Guidance

    Note: When there is a difference between local, state, and federal guidelines or health orders; or difference with other regulatory agency guidelines, including guidelines for testing, quarantine, and isolation, the most restrictive guideline or order should be followed.

    1. The guidance on this webpage is non-exhaustive. Long-Term Care Facilities should consult their respective state or federal regulatory or licensing agencies or governing bodies (CDPH, CDSS, DHCS, NHSN, etc.) for additional guidance or requirements that may be applicable. 
    2. In the workplace, employers are subject to the Cal/OSHA's COVID-19 Prevention Non-Emergency Regulations or in some workplaces the Cal/OSHA Aerosol Transmissible Diseases (ATD) Standard, and should consult those regulations for additional applicable requirements.
    3. Healthcare Facilities or Long-Term Care Facilities that are subject to reporting or licensing requirements by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) should visit the CMS webpage for additional information or requirements.

    What Guidance should my Long-Term Care Facility follow?

    COVID-19 Guidance for Long-Term Care Facilities is differentiated based on whether a facility is considered a Health Care Delivery Facility with Patient Care Areas. A Health Care Delivery Facility is a setting where patient care is provided indoors. Patient Care Areas refer to any area that patients regularly access in order to receive healthcare within a Health Care Delivery Facility.
     

      County of Santa Clara, Public Health Department (PHD)

      California Department of Public Health (CDPH)

      • AFL 21-08.9: Guidance on Quarantine for Health Care Personnel (HCP) Exposed to SARS-CoV-2 and Return to Work for HCP with COVID-19
      • AFL 23-12: COVID-19 Recommendations for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), Resident Placement/Movement, and Staffing in Skilled Nursing Facilities

      Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

      *Facilities may use the 213 Resource Request Form to request additional PPE and testing supplies. Send the completed form as an attachment to [email protected]
       

      County of Santa Clara, Public Health Department (PHD)

      California Department of Social Services (CDSS)

      • PIN 23-13-ASC: Updated COVID-19 Guidance on Vaccinations, Masking, Screening, Testing, Isolation and Quarantine, Visitation, and Infection Control Requirements (6/15/23)

      *Facilities may use the 213 Resource Request Form to request additional PPE and testing supplies. Send the completed form as an attachment to [email protected]
       

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