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U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion

Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response: Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions to Reduce Transmission of Viral Respiratory Infections in Long-Term Care Communities

About this resource:

Systematic Review

Source: The Guide to Community Preventive Services

Last Reviewed: September 2024

Workgroups: Immunization and Infectious Diseases Workgroup

The Community Preventive Services Task Force (CPSTF) recommends non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) in long-term care (LTC) communities to prevent, slow, or stop the spread of viral respiratory infections among LTC community residents and staff. Evidence shows that during a viral respiratory infection outbreak or pandemic, combinations of NPIs can lower the risk of infection among LTC community residents and staff.

NPIs can be administered at 3 levels:

  • Individual-level NPIs may include using personal protective equipment like gloves and masks, proper hand hygiene, and staff not coming to work when sick.
  • Community-level NPIs may include testing and screening, physical distancing, visitor restrictions, and resident admissions or transfer restrictions.
  • Environmental-level NPIs may include cleaning and disinfecting and improving ventilation.
     
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Suggested Citation

1.

Guide to Community Preventive Services. (2024). Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response: Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions to Reduce Transmission of Viral Respiratory Infections in Long-Term Care Communities. Retrieved from https://www.thecommunityguide.org/findings/public-health-emergency-preparedness-and-response-non-pharmaceutical-interventions-reduce-transmission-viral-respiratory-infections-long-term-care-communities.html.