Welcome to our Newsletter

Welcome to our first edition of the Health and Safety in Long Term Care Newsletter. This newsletter is an effort by the Snohomish Health District to work with all of the Long Term Care Facilities in the county to improve emergency preparedness and infection prevention. Please reach out to us anytime with questions:
Nathan Dowling
Infection Preventionist
NDowling@snohd.org
425.339.8671

Jennifer Reid
Emergency Management Specialist – Training & Exercises Coordinator
jreid@snohd.org

COVID Vaccine

The FDA has recently authorized a bivalent COVID-19 booster shot that will provide better protection against the Omicron variant. Both the Moderna and Pfizer Bivalent vaccine are authorized for individuals if it has been at least two months since they completed the primary vaccination or their last booster dose. (CDC) The Health District strongly encourages all residents and employees in long term care settings to get the new bivalent COVID vaccine.
For more information on how to schedule a COVID vaccine for your residents visit the Snohomish Health District’s “How to get your shot” page for additional resources like Care-a-Van.

COVID Infection Prevention

Our Communicable Diseases team has the ability to support facilities with cases of COVID-19 with PPE and COVID-19 testing resources. If your facility is in need, please contact Nathan Dowling at ndowling@snohd.org with the Subject Line: “PPE/Test Request - (Your Facility’s Name)”. In the email, provide a point of contact, phone number, along with the details of your current situation. For N95 Fit Test training, please review the resources available here: Respiratory Protection Program for Long-Term Care Facilities. Also, get your free at home test kits at https://sayyescovidhometest.org/ or reimbursed for At-Home Over-The-Counter COVID-19 Test.

NOTE: For any positive cases of COVID-19 within the facility, please call 425-339-5278 or email LTC@snohd.org – Please do not send patient protected information.

Infection Prevention Guidance and Resources

Here are a few resources to assist with infection control education, staying up to date on current guidance, and organizations that provide additional support.

For the latest guidance and regulations, please review: The WA DOH’s Interim Recommendations for SARS-CoV-2 Infection Prevention and Control in Healthcare Settings, DSHS’s Long-Term Care COVID Response Plan, and subscribe to the ALTSA Provider/Administrator Letters

The Adult Family Home Council, provides frequent updates and education to keep you informed on the latest guidance and best practices.
LTC Q&A Call (Zoom Link) is a bi-weekly presentation to stay up to date on the most recent guidance from WA DOH, as well as, an open forum to ask questions with immediate response; to be included in the following week’s slides, please email HAI-COVID@doh.wa.gov with the subject line: Covid Q&A Call
Project Firstline is an interactive Healthcare Associated Infections program presented by the WA DOH and intended for Health Care Provider and Professions
Residential Care Services Online Incident Reporting – to report COVID-19 cases to WA State and if you have reasonable cause to believe abandonment, abuse, financial exploitation, or neglect has occurred to a vulnerable adult.
WA DOH's Outdoor Visitation Guidance for Long-term Care (LTC) Settings

To find out Snohomish county’s current transmission rate is, please visit the WA DOH’s COVID-19 Data Dashboard

Flu Vaccines

Flu season is right around the corner! With many of the COVID precautions easing across the state, this flu season is expected to be more active than usual. Protect your staff and your residents by encouraging a flu vaccine. Flu vaccines are available through your regular healthcare provider and most pharmacies.

Emergency Preparedness

Emergency Preparedness and Planning can is important for the safety and health of your residents, staff, and visitors. The requirements for certain emergency plans depend largely on the type of care that your facilities provide. Facilities with the highest level of care are required to have very specific emergency plans, while facilities with less care requirements are expected to have general emergency plans. Now is an excellent time to dust off some of those emergency plans that may have been sitting on a shelf since before COVID and take a look at what needs to be updated and changed. Important plans to review include winter weather related plans (snow/winter/flooding, loss of power, evacuation) as well as plans related to flu and COVID infection prevention.
You can find information on the types of emergency plans needed for your facilities here:
Skilled Nursing Facility Disaster & Emergency Preparedness
Assisted Living Facility Disaster & Emergency Preparedness
Adult Family Home Disaster & Emergency Preparedness
CMS Emergency Preparedness Rule

Need help? The Snohomish Health District can help your facility write, review, train, and exercise your plans! Please reach out to our Training & Exercises Coordinator Jennifer Reid, jreid@snohd.org, for assistance.