Long-Term Care Home Surveillance Testing in KFL&A

Kingston— KFL&A Public Health is collaborating with Long-Term Care (LTC) Homes in the Kingston, Frontenac and Lennox & Addington area to assist with the implementation of the recently released Ontario Ministry of Health’s (MOH) enhanced testing guidelines to protect this vulnerable population during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The MOH announcement included immediate proactive surveillance testing of all residents and staff in LTC Homes, regardless of symptoms. This enhanced testing is intended to provide a better understanding of the prevalence of COVID-19 within LTC Homes in Ontario, especially among minimally symptomatic individuals who otherwise might have gone undetected with routine symptom screening. It is also intended to inform future planning to ensure resources are available to protect the population within long-term care.

A phased approach has been taken in the KFL&A area, including consideration for the ability of our LTC Homes to conduct the COVID-19 testing on their staff and residents, the capacity of local labs to process large volume of specimens, the access to supplies (e.g., swabs and Personal Protective Equipment), and the process for receiving test results as well as how results will be aggregated and reported.

“To date the testing process has gone well for everyone involved. It has been a true team effort with staff and management at our local LTC Homes, and with our partners, Frontenac Paramedics and Lennox & Addington County General Hospital,” said Kelly Monaghan, Chief Nursing Officer & Director, Professional Practice and Quality at KFL&A Public Health. “The testing began April 29 and is scheduled to be completed by May 15, but this is highly dependent on continued access to adequate supplies.” 

As part of the COVID-19 Action Plan for Protecting Long-Term Care Homes, the MOH Command Table announcement also included comprehensive recruitment initiatives to increase human resources in LTC Homes and performing risk assessments to ensure LTC Homes have the supports and resources required during a pandemic.

For the most up to date information on COVID-19, visit www.Kflaph.ca/Coronavirus or www.Ontario.ca/coronavirus.