AMDA: Address key questions to reap benefits of universal COVID-19 testing

The Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine is urging eldercare facility operators and health officials to jointly address the clinical complexities of facility-wide COVID-19 testing before implementing state testing mandates. 

In a policy statement issued Monday, the group outlined key questions for consideration, including:

• What is meant by universal testing and how frequently is retesting to be done?
• Should healthcare personnel, residents, or both be tested?
• What type(s) of test(s) should be used?
• How are facilities to cover the costs of testing?
• Are healthcare personnel tests to be covered by private insurance or with public support?
• Is there a plan in place to deal with the test results?
• What is the emotional impact of repeated testing of residents with dementia, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorders or other psychological health conditions?
• What happens if large numbers of staff must suddenly be furloughed?

“Testing decisions must be individualized to the facility with a clear understanding of the regional prevalence of disease, local testing accessibility and capacity, and well-defined goals of testing,” AMDA stated.