Greetings!

I want to share some new guidance out from CMS and CDC related to the use of industrial respirators by health care personnel and information on environmental infection control. Details and links are included below.

We will continue to keep you updated as new information and resources are issued.

Sincerely,

April Payne, LNHA
Vice President of Quality Improvement | Director of VCAL
Virginia Health Care Association | Virginia Center for Assisted Living
CMS Guidance on Industrial Respirators


This memo provides the following new guidance:
  • Facemasks are an acceptable temporary alternative when supply chains cannot meet N-95 respirator demands. When supply chain is restored, N-95 respirators should be utilized with known or suspected COVID-19.
  • Eye protection, gowns, and gloves are recommended. If there are shortages of supplies, they should be prioritized for aerosol-generating procedures, care activities where splashes and sprays are anticipated, and high-contact patient care activities.
  • Patients with known or suspected COVID-19 should be cared for in a single-person room with the door closed, and airborne infection isolation rooms (AIIR) should be prioritized for patients undergoing aerosol-generating procedures.
  • Increased emphasis on early identification and implementation of source control.

This memo follows the updated guidance from CDC .
Implement Environmental Infection Control
Cleaning and Disinfection 

Preventing and mitigating the spread of COVID-19 in long term care centers is the top priority. Environmental infection control practices are essential to reduce the risk of the virus entering nursing centers and assisted living communities.  

Detailed information on environmental infection control in health care settings can be found on the CDC website:

The following environmental infection control practices should be implemented immediately:
  • Hand washing stations or alcohol-based hand rubs should be immediately available at all entryways. 
  • Dedicated medical equipment should be used for patient care, when possible. 
  • Between each use, nondisposable medical equipment should be cleaned and disinfected. This should be done according to manufacturer's instructions and facility policies. 
  • Management of laundry, food service utensils, and medical waste should be performed in accordance with routine procedures. 
  • Environmental cleaning and disinfection procedures should be supervised. This ensures that proper procedures are followed consistently and correctly. 

You can tailor this template for housekeeping staff on cleaning protocol. 

Products with EPA-approved emerging viral pathogens claims are recommended for use against COVID-19. These products can be identified by the following claim: 
  • "[Product name] has demonstrated effectiveness against viruses similar to COVID-19 on hard nonporous surfaces. Therefore, this product can be used against COVID-19 when used in accordance with the directions for use against [name of supporting virus] on hard, nonporous surfaces." 

This claim will be made only through communication outlets such as:  
  • Technical literature distributed to health care facilities, physicians, nurses, and public health officials 
  • "1-800" consumer information services
  • Social media sites
  • Company websites

Specific claims for "COVID-19" will not appear on the product or master label. If there are no available EPA-registered products that have an approved emerging viral pathogen claim for COVID-19, products with label claims against human coronaviruses should be used according to label instructions. See additional information about EPA-approved emerging viral pathogens claims here . 
Quick Links


March 12, 2020 | 11:00 am
To access the audio-only portion of the event, dial  (866) 692-4530 and enter access code 641 220 548. (Please note the updated phone number.)
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