Frequently Asked Questions: COVID-19 and Long-Term Care and Residential Care Facilities
The Long-Term Care and Residential Care Sector team will continue to update this information as often as possible. If your question is not addressed below, please contact us at COVID-LTC@sdcounty.ca.gov.
What are the general recommendations for nursing homes and other long-term care institutions before and during an outbreak of COVID-19?
- Infection Control - Tools for Healthcare Settings (see CDC’s website click here).
- Symptom watch processes for COVID-19.
- Timely notification to public health about outbreaks of cases.
- Education and guidance of infection control and prevention measures.
- Screening and testing of symptomatic patients, as needed (or appropriate).
- Implementation of limits on visitor and new admissions.
- Ensuring adequate supply of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and supplies.
- Ensuring a healthy and symptom free staff.
- Good communication and coordination with local and state response partners.
- Timely transport of severely infected individuals to the hospital.
- Monitoring of the situation.
What is the investigative process?
- Public Health Services becomes aware either through a call from the facility, a medical record report noting a nursing home or through matching a patient’s positive lab result against a list of known addresses of nursing home or long-term care facilities (LTCF).
- Facilities are also expected to report outbreaks/clusters to: PHS.OutbreakReporting.HHSA@sdcounty.ca.gov.
- Initial assessment steps include:
- Connect with the facility point of contact (POC) and evaluate for an outbreak using the outbreak definitions and intake form.
- Review CDC COVID-19 recommendations:
- Instruct the facility to evaluate their stock of PPE using the COVID-19 LTCF PPE Assessment document. If additional PPE and/or environmental cleaning/disinfection supplies are needed they should contact: moc.hcps.hhsa@sdcounty.ca.gov.
What actions are taken during an outbreak investigation?
- Conduct a facility assessment which includes establishing POC.
- Review and provide guidance on infection control and prevention measures.
- Provide a surveillance log for facilities to record detections, characterize and investigate their outbreak.
- The facility should immediately report an increase in cases, hospitalizations, and/or an outbreak-associated death to the investigator. If afterhours, contact the Epidemiology Program Duty Office.
- Request updates from the POC. Immediately notify if surge in cases, increase in severity of illness, hospitalizations, or a death occurs.
How is the outbreak controlled?
- If the facility cannot fully implement all recommended precautions, then the Epidemiology Unit and medical directors should be consulted on alternative options (e.g., transfer of cases to a fully equipped facility).
How is the outbreak monitored?
- Ongoing work with the facility with frequent check in.
What determines the end of an outbreak?
- Keep the outbreak open for the 14-day monitoring period. After 14-days, the investigator will confirm with the POC that no new cases have been identified.
Is it possible to get testing for potential residents or participants in programs before we admit them?
Will all nursing home workers and patients be required to get regular testing?
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Where can I express a concern or complaint about a long-term care facility?
- Concerns or complaints can be reported to the appropriate
state licensing entities:
- California Department of Public
Health (CDPH) – for Skilled Nursing Facilities
- State office: (916) 552-8632 or go on-line here
- Local office: (619) 278-3700
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California Department of Social Services, Community Care
Licensing Division (CCL) – for Residential Care Facilities
for the Elderly, Adult Residential Facilities (assisted living
facilities, board and care facilities)
- State office: (844) 538-8766 or send an email to letusno@dss.ca.gov
- Local office: (619) 767-2300 or send an email to cclascpsandiegoro@dss.ca.gov
- California Department of Public
Health (CDPH) – for Skilled Nursing Facilities
- Concerns or complaints can also be reported to the County of San Diego Long-Term Care Ombudsman program: (800) 640-4661
Is the Ombudsman Program operating during this time?
- Yes, the County of San Diego Long-Term Care Ombudsman program is operating. This free program advocates for residents in Long-Term Care facilities, such as nursing homes and other licensed facilities. An Ombudsman listens to concerns, provides information and assistance when requested and will investigate and resolve complaints related to care or personal rights. They can be reached by calling (800) 640-4661 or sending an email.
How can I find out what long-term care facilities have positive COVID cases?
- COVID+ Cases at Residential Care Facilities for the
Elderly (RCFEs, also known as Assisted Living Facilities,
Board and Care Facilities):
- RCFEs are required to report COVID-19 facility data to the California Department of Social Services, Community Care Licensing Division. The data can be found here; click on Additional Resources, then click on COVID-19 Positive Cases in Adult and Senior Care Facilities.
What special measures should be taken to help
residents with dementia, intellectual disabilities, and/or mental
health challenges during COVID-19?
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How can I obtain PPE (personal protective equipment) for staff?
- Equipment such as masks, gowns, and face shields can be obtained by contacting the County of San Diego’s Medical Operations Center at moc.hcps.hhsa@sdcounty.ca.gov for LTCFs.
COVID-19 Website