Home | Model IPC Policies Resource Library | Office Hours + Resources | At Home Resources | Stay Connected 

Model Infection Prevention and Control Policies for Adult Day Centers 

Background & Purpose 

LeadingAge Virginia is an association of not-for-profit aging services organizations that received grant funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) through the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) Office of Epidemiology. This funding was used to develop model infection prevention and control policies for Adult Day Centers (ADCs) right here in Virginia. 

LeadingAge Virginia partnered with Health Quality Innovators (HQI), a Richmond based independent, nonprofit consulting organization helping health care providers and communities improve care delivery and patient outcomes since 1984. HQI strives to improve outcomes, adopt best practices, improve performance, and create a culture that supports and sustains quality.

The ultimate goal is to provide ADCs with clear and effective policies that help them protect the health and well-being of their participants, their participants' families, and the center staff. ADCs, while similar to other care settings, face unique challenges when it comes to infection prevention and control.

The standardized, best practice policies produced by this project are designed to:

• Boost the capacity of ADCs to respond to, prevent, and control all types of infections effectively.
• Ensure that ADCs are well-prepared to respond rapidly to current and future infectious disease threats, reducing the risk of infections within the centers and in the wider community.
• Help licensed ADCs in Virginia demonstrate their compliance with state regulations to the Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS).

ADC’s Unique Needs 

Adult Day Centers provide essential services to older adults and other adults with disabilities. ADCs are all about providing support, and it's easy to see why they're so important:

A Range of Services: ADCs offer a diverse set of services, including medical care, social and recreational opportunities, proper nutrition, and even transportation assistance. They can improve and enhance the lives of participants and family members. 

Addressing Health Challenges: Many of those who come to ADCs have chronic health conditions and multiple health concerns. These conditions can increase the risk of infections, leading to health problems. 

The Mission: At ADCs, the mission is crystal clear: to provide the care, support, interaction, and engagement the participants need. They are not just a center but a community that cares about the health and happiness of older adults, those with disabilities, and their families.

One key difference from other care settings is that ADC participants live in the community, not within the centers themselves. This creates a potential pathway for infections to unknowingly spread to other participants and community members. To continue providing the essential support and services they provide, it's crucial for ADCs to adopt and follow policies that prevent infections from spreading.

Strategy

• Literature Review and Environmental Scan: A thorough review of existing resources was completed to see if any could be adapted to meet the project's needs.
• Policy Development Workgroup and Policy Authorship: The project team convened a group of subject matter experts to craft policies that will enhance infection prevention practices in ADCs.
• Sharing Knowledge: Weekly Workgroup meetings and monthly Office Hours were conducted to share updates, spread awareness of the project’s resources, and provide education to ADCs about putting these policies into action. 

Outcomes 

• Most infection prevention and control data are limited to only the nursing home, assisted living, and hospital settings; and
• When resources were found that were specific to the ADC setting, they were limited in scope to primarily address practices specific to COVID-19.

• Model IPC Policies Resource Library: The Model IPC Policies Resource Library webpage, a part of the LeadingAge Virginia website, is a one-stop destination for all the valuable products created through this grant program. It's designed to make life easier for ADC leaders, providing easy access to essential resources. Policy templates, tip sheets, recordings of Office Hours sessions, and updates on upcoming training or education opportunities will all be available.
• Model IPC Policies for ADC's Compendium Notebook: To ensure that all licensed Virginia ADCs have access to these crucial policies, the project team will create individual Model Infection Prevention and Control Policies for ADC's Compendium Notebooks. These have been mailed directly to each center and include an introduction to the compendium, information about the grant program, copies of each model IPC policy and guidance on accessing the policies online through LeadingAge Virginia's webpage.
• Office Hours Education Sessions: Office Hours education sessions will continue, and the content is determined by ADC needs. These will be hosted monthly beginning in November 2023, with some sessions featuring guest speakers to offer expert advice, guidance on implementation, and assistance with specific challenges.