03/31/2022

You asked... We Answered

You Asked: 

Are nursing facilities able to immediately stop using eye protection as universal source control once the community transmission level drops to a moderate to low level or do we have to wait two weeks as required for testing?

We Answered: 

Yes, facilities are able to immediately remove the eye protection as universal source control upon the community transmission level dropping to a moderate or low level of transmission. This CDC data is updated daily. Healthcare personnel must still wear eye protection when caring for a resident in quarantine or isolation. The Interim Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Healthcare Personnel During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic states:

While it is generally safest to implement universal use of source control for everyone in a healthcare setting, the following allowances could be considered for individuals who are up to date with all recommended COVID-19 vaccine doses (who do not otherwise meet the criteria described above) in healthcare facilities located in counties with low to moderate community transmission. These individuals might choose to continue using source control if they or someone in their household is immunocompromised or at increased risk for severe disease, or if someone in their household is not up to date with all recommended COVID-19 vaccine doses.

HCP who are up to date with all recommended COVID-19 vaccine doses:

• Could choose not to wear source control or physically distance when they are in well-defined areas that are restricted from patient access (e.g., staff meeting rooms, kitchen).

• They should wear source control when they are in areas of the healthcare facility where they could encounter patients (e.g., hospital cafeteria, common halls/corridors).

Eye protection (i.e., goggles or a face shield that covers the front and sides of the face) should be worn during all patient care encounters in facilities located in counties with substantial or high transmission.

As noted above, eye protection as universal source control can be removed when the community transmission level drops to moderate or low. In most situations, healthcare personnel will still be wearing a face mask for universal source control. Additional guidance on relaxing of restrictions for healthcare personnel and for residents can be found on the Interim Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Healthcare Personnel During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic webpage.

The two-week reference is only found in the nursing home QSO-20-38-NH testing memo. That memo states if the level of community transmission decreases to a lower level of activity, the facility should continue testing staff at the higher frequency level until the level of community transmission has remained at the lower activity level for at least two weeks before reducing testing frequency. LeadingAge Ohio encourages members to continue to submit questions to COVID19@leadingageohio.org.