Assisted Living Infection Control Audit Checklist [FREE PDF]

Infection control in assisted living facilities is primarily governed by CMS State Operations Manual Appendix PP Tag F880, which mandates a facility-wide infection prevention and control program (IPCP) designed to provide a safe, sanitary, and comfortable environment for residents. OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogen Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030) and General Industry Standards impose additional obligations on facilities to protect staff from occupational exposure to infectious materials. Comprehensive infe

  • Industry: Assisted Living
  • Frequency: Monthly
  • Estimated Time: 30-45 minutes
  • Role: Director of Nursing
  • Total Items: 36
  • Compliance: CMS State Operations Manual Appendix PP Tag F880 - Infection Prevention and Control, OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1030 - Bloodborne Pathogens Standard, OSHA 29 CFR 1910.132 - Personal Protective Equipment, CDC Guidelines for Infection Control in Healthcare Personnel 2019, State Assisted Living Licensing Regulations - Infection Control Requirements

Infection Prevention and Control Program (IPCP) Oversight

Verify that the facility's IPCP is established, documented, and actively managed.

  • Does the facility have a written, current Infection Prevention and Control Program (IPCP) in place?
  • Has the IPCP been reviewed and updated within the past 12 months?
  • Is a designated Infection Preventionist (IP) identified and actively overseeing the IPCP?
  • Are infection surveillance data (HAI rates, outbreak records) being collected and analyzed monthly?
  • Are infection control findings reported to facility leadership and governing body at least quarterly?

Hand Hygiene Practices

Audit compliance with hand hygiene protocols among staff across all care areas.

  • Are alcohol-based hand rub (ABHR) dispensers available at the point of care in all resident rooms and hallways?
  • Are soap and water handwashing sinks accessible and stocked in all care areas?
  • Were staff observed performing hand hygiene before and after direct resident contact during this audit?
  • Are hand hygiene compliance rates being formally monitored and documented?
  • Are ABHR dispensers filled and not expired or empty?

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Use

Evaluate availability, proper use, and disposal of PPE by all staff members.

  • Is PPE (gloves, gowns, masks, eye protection) readily available in all care areas?
  • Were staff observed donning and doffing PPE correctly according to facility protocol?
  • Are used PPE items disposed of in designated waste containers and not reused inappropriately?
  • Are N95 respirators available and staff fit-tested for use during airborne precaution situations?
  • Are PPE supplies maintained at adequate stock levels to prevent shortages?

Isolation and Transmission-Based Precautions

Verify correct implementation of isolation precautions for residents with known or suspected infections.

  • Are residents on transmission-based precautions clearly identified with appropriate signage outside their rooms?
  • Is a precaution cart with appropriate PPE staged outside isolation rooms?
  • Are residents with suspected or confirmed respiratory illness placed in appropriate precautions within required timeframes?
  • Are healthcare providers notified and lab cultures obtained when new infections are suspected?
  • Are visitors educated on isolation precautions and infection control expectations before entering restricted rooms?

Environmental Cleaning and Disinfection

Assess the thoroughness and documentation of environmental cleaning and high-touch surface disinfection.

  • Are EPA-registered disinfectants with appropriate spectrum being used for surface cleaning?
  • Are high-touch surfaces (call lights, bed rails, door handles, light switches) disinfected at least daily?
  • Are cleaning staff trained on proper disinfectant contact (dwell) times for each product used?
  • Are cleaning logs or checklists completed and retained for terminal cleaning of isolation rooms?
  • Are reusable medical equipment items (blood pressure cuffs, thermometers) disinfected between resident uses?

Outbreak Detection and Management

Evaluate the facility's preparedness and response capabilities for infectious disease outbreaks.

  • Does the facility have a written outbreak response plan that is current and accessible to staff?
  • Are outbreak thresholds (criteria for declaring an outbreak) defined and known by the Infection Preventionist?
  • Is a process in place to report outbreaks to the local or state health department within required timeframes?
  • Are active cases of infection tracked in a line list or surveillance log during outbreak situations?
  • Has staff received outbreak response training within the past 12 months?

Staff Health and Vaccination

Confirm staff health screening, vaccination records, and occupational health compliance.

  • Are staff influenza vaccination rates documented and meeting facility or state benchmarks?
  • Are new employees screened for tuberculosis (TB) prior to beginning resident care duties?
  • Is there a policy for excluding symptomatic staff (fever, vomiting, diarrhea) from resident care duties?
  • Are staff Hepatitis B vaccination records current and maintained in employee health files?
  • Are there any current staff illness clusters or suspected outbreaks among employees that require follow-up?
  • Additional infection control observations, deficiencies, or corrective action notes?

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Why Use This Assisted Living Infection Control Audit Checklist [FREE PDF]?

This assisted living infection control audit checklist [free pdf] helps assisted living teams maintain compliance and operational excellence. Designed for director of nursing professionals, this checklist covers 36 critical inspection points across 7 sections. Recommended frequency: monthly.

Ensures compliance with CMS State Operations Manual Appendix PP Tag F880 - Infection Prevention and Control, OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1030 - Bloodborne Pathogens Standard, OSHA 29 CFR 1910.132 - Personal Protective Equipment, CDC Guidelines for Infection Control in Healthcare Personnel 2019, State Assisted Living Licensing Regulations - Infection Control Requirements. Regulatory-aligned for audit readiness and inspection documentation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Assisted Living Infection Control Audit Checklist [FREE PDF] cover?

This checklist covers 36 inspection items across 7 sections: Infection Prevention and Control Program (IPCP) Oversight, Hand Hygiene Practices, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Use, Isolation and Transmission-Based Precautions, Environmental Cleaning and Disinfection, Outbreak Detection and Management, Staff Health and Vaccination. It is designed for assisted living operations and compliance.

How often should this checklist be completed?

This checklist should be completed monthly. Each completion takes approximately 30-45 minutes.

Who should use this Assisted Living Infection Control Audit Checklist [FREE PDF]?

This checklist is designed for Director of Nursing professionals in the assisted living industry. It can be used for self-assessments, team audits, and regulatory compliance documentation.

Can I download this checklist as a PDF?

Yes, this checklist is available as a free PDF download. You can also use it digitally in the POPProbe mobile app for real-time data capture, photo documentation, and automatic reporting.

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