As you know all too well, COVID-19 will be a continuing threat in your facility – joining the growing list of viruses and infections you must guard against.  

As you update your infection prevention and control (IPC) procedures and protocols, be sure they’re based on the latest manufacturers’ documents that spell out the proper cleaning and sterilization steps for medical and non-medical equipment.

When your staff and IPC team have access to these manufacturer directives and follow their instructions, your facility will be in alignment with infection control regulations and recommendations for long-term care facilities from organizations such as:

• The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Non-disposable, non-critical care equipment must be “cleaned and disinfected according to manufacturers’ instructions…”
  
  
• The National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL): “Between each use, non-disposable medical equipment should be cleaned and disinfected. This should be done according to manufacturers’ instructions and facility policies.”
  
  

• The Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC): Policies for cleaning and disinfecting equipment and supplies “should be based on regulatory requirements and guidelines as well as the manufacturers’ recommendations…”