Please note: This website has recently moved from www.health.gov to odphp.health.gov. www.health.gov is now the official website of ODPHP’s parent organization, the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health (OASH). Please update your bookmarks for easy access to all our resources. 

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion

Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response: Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions to Reduce Transmission of Viral Respiratory Infections in Long-Term Care Communities

About this resource:

Systematic Review

Source: The Guide to Community Preventive Services

Last Reviewed: September 2024

Workgroups: Immunization and Infectious Diseases Workgroup

The Community Preventive Services Task Force (CPSTF) recommends non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) in long-term care (LTC) communities to prevent, slow, or stop the spread of viral respiratory infections among LTC community residents and staff. Evidence shows that during a viral respiratory infection outbreak or pandemic, combinations of NPIs can lower the risk of infection among LTC community residents and staff.

NPIs can be administered at 3 levels:

  • Individual-level NPIs may include using personal protective equipment like gloves and masks, proper hand hygiene, and staff not coming to work when sick.
  • Community-level NPIs may include testing and screening, physical distancing, visitor restrictions, and resident admissions or transfer restrictions.
  • Environmental-level NPIs may include cleaning and disinfecting and improving ventilation.
     
Read more about this resource

Suggested Citation

1.

Guide to Community Preventive Services. (2024). Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response: Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions to Reduce Transmission of Viral Respiratory Infections in Long-Term Care Communities. Retrieved from https://www.thecommunityguide.org/findings/public-health-emergency-preparedness-and-response-non-pharmaceutical-interventions-reduce-transmission-viral-respiratory-infections-long-term-care-communities.html.