Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions to Reduce Transmission of Viral Respiratory Infections in Long-Term Care Communities

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This is a brief summary of the CPSTF finding and systematic review evidence for Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response: Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions to Reduce Transmission of Viral Respiratory Infections in Long-Term Care Communities. Read a complete summary of the systematic review and CPSTF finding.

This information is also available in a PDF version [PDF – 168 KB].

How can Long-Term Care Communities Reduce Viral Respiratory Infections During an Outbreak or a Pandemic?

Long-term care (LTC) communities for adults with disabilities and older adults can adopt combinations of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) to prevent, slow, or stop the spread of viral respiratory infections during an outbreak or a pandemic. NPIs may be directed to residents, staff, and visitors and applied at individual, community, and environmental levels.

  • Individual level NPIs may include using personal protective equipment, such as 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 restriction, and resident admission or transfer restriction.
  • Environmental level NPIs may include cleaning and disinfecting and improving ventilation.

Why is This Important

Older adults and LTC community residents are at higher risk for severe illness and outcomes from respiratory infections.

  • LTC community residents make up less than 1% of the U.S. population but accounted for more than 23% of all COVID-19 deaths as of January 2022.

Major Findings

The Community Preventive Services Task Force (CPSTF) recommends NPIs in LTC communities to decrease viral respiratory infection incidence among LTC community residents and staff.

  • The recommendation is based on evidence from a systematic review of 42 studies. Across the studies, the programs reduced viral infection in residents and staff by 46%.
  • LTC communities in the included studies used different combinations of NPIs based on their needs and resources and a reduction in infection was observed across these combinations. Based on the included studies, the review team could not determine which specific NPI or combination of NPIs was the most effective.
  • The finding is mostly based on responses to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, but can be applied to infections caused by other respiratory viruses.

Implementation Resources

Learn More

Read the complete summary of the systematic review, access implementation resources, and find out more about public health emergency preparedness and response.

Established in 1996 by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Community Preventive Services Task Force (CPSTF) is an independent, nonfederal panel of public health and prevention experts whose members are appointed by the director of CDC. CPSTF provides information for a wide range of decision makers on programs, services, and other interventions aimed at improving population health. Although CDC provides administrative, scientific, and technical support for CPSTF, the recommendations developed are those of CPSTF and do not undergo review or approval by CDC. Find more information at www.thecommunityguide.org.