Complete Story
04/21/2022
You asked... We Answered
You Asked:
How long should a facility leave a resident room empty after a COVID positive resident leaves that room?
We Answered:
The current recommendation is based on the air exchange of the room. The CDC Interim Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Healthcare Personnel During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic webpage includes a section on Environmental Infection Control that includes the following guidance:
- Once the patient has been discharged or transferred, HCP, including environmental services personnel, should refrain from entering the vacated room until sufficient time has elapsed for enough air changes to remove potentially infectious particles [more information (to include important footnotes on its application) on clearance rates under differing ventilation conditions is available]. After this time has elapsed, the room should undergo appropriate cleaning and surface disinfection before it is returned to routine use.
LeadingAge Ohio encourages facilities to have the maintenance team or HVAC vendor review CDC guidance and determine the clearance rates outlined in the air changes/hour (ACH) and time required for airborne-contaminant removal by efficiency table. We encourage members to continue to submit questions to COVID19@leadingageohio.org.