Quality in Assisted Living Collaborative Releases Infection Prevention  and Control Guidelines (2024)

November 19, 2024, Washington, DC — The Quality in Assisted Living Collaborative (QALC) today releases Infection Prevention and Control Guidelines for Assisted Living Communities, a new resource documenting recommended approaches on this important area for use by assisted living providers.

Created through the collaborative efforts of QALC members, including Argentum, the American Seniors Housing Association (ASHA), LeadingAge, the National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL), and the National Association for Regulatory Administration (NARA), the IPC Guidelines offer users a comprehensive approach to follow in IPC planning and execution. Widespread adoption throughout the assisted living sector will ensure a consistent approach to IPC at communities nationwide.

Reviewed by a broad spectrum of experts, including state regulatory officials, physicians, consumer representatives and providers, the guidelines cover essential elements of IPC, such as establishing an IPC leader, creating an IPC plan that addresses key elements including staff training, standard precautions, transmission-based precautions, and more. Rather than take a one-size-fits-all approach, this is a flexible resource that is intended to be adapted by users to meet the needs of the specific characteristics, needs, and challenges of their organizations.

All stakeholders, including assisted living providers, regulators, policymakers, and advocacy organizations, are encouraged to use the IPC Guidelines as a preferred resource. The guidelines are available for download from the following websites:

• LeadingAge
• Argentum
• National Association for Regulatory Administration

ASHA will be distributing the IPC Guidelines to members via email. Some NCAL state affiliates will also be making the IPC Guidelines available for download from their websites.

“Comprehensive planning and execution of infection prevention and control policies is a critical component of quality care and safety in assisted living settings,” said Katie Smith Sloan, president and CEO, LeadingAge, the association of nonprofit and mission-driven providers of aging services, including assisted living. “Our involvement in this guide is a testament to our commitment to ensuring that our nonprofit and mission-driven members have the resources necessary to achieve high healthcare standards and protect the well-being of all older adults in senior living communities.”

“As policymakers consider revising state infection protection and control regulations, it is critical that they have the best information available and the collective knowledge and experience of the senior living sector,” said Argentum President and CEO James Balda. “The release of the guidelines is an important step in this process and I am very pleased and grateful to a diverse group of stakeholders that included senior living providers, subject matter experts, clinicians, resident advocates and regulators whose contributions were invaluable in producing this valuable resource.”

As noted by Dave Schless of ASHA, “Assisted living emerged as a viable option for older adults and their families who were looking for alternatives to institutional settings. These communities allow residents to receive help as needed, maintain their independence and live with dignity. The QALC is working to ensure states and operators are equipped with best practices to ensure assisted living quality lives up to the high standards of those organizations who pioneered the assisted living movement over 30 years ago.”

“The development of peer reviewed and evidence-based infection prevention and control best practices designed by assisted living regulators, providers, infection prevention and control experts, physicians, trade association and other stakeholders is a critical step in ensuring our sector continues to be positioned to provide the care, treatment and services to our citizens who choose assisted living,” said Alfred C. Johnson, Past President and Assisted Living Lead of NARA. “Furthermore, the development of these best practices demonstrates a commitment from regulators and providers to work collaboratively on efforts to improve the quality of care in assisted living.”