Long-term care providers can stay a step ahead in preventing respiratory virus outbreaks by using a new acute respiratory illness, or ARI, metric, according to the American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention unveiled the ARI metric on Oct. 4, replacing the influenza-like illness, or ILI, metric on its Respiratory Illness Data Channel. The new metric paints a broad picture for evaluating overall respiratory illness trends, the agency stated in a release note.
The ARI metric tracks the combined effects of multiple respiratory illnesses in communities, the CDC explained. “When used in combination with laboratory-confirmed, pathogen-specific surveillance, [the tool] can help monitor trends in illness associated with respiratory pathogens,” the agency said.
“This new metric offers a more comprehensive measurement of the “big three” respiratory viruses (COVID-19, flu, RSV) and other respiratory infections,” the AHCA/NCAL noted in a blog post. “Long-term care facilities are encouraged to use this metric to guide infection prevention and control, or IPC, measures.”
The ARI metric categorizes levels of respiratory illnesses as minimal, low, moderate, high or very high. Checking the metric regularly will help IPC staff stay on top of community viral activity trends in their surrounding communities so they can take appropriate action when needed, AHCA/NCAL wrote. IPC measures during periods of high viral levels can include requiring that visitors and healthcare staff members wear masks at all times, and asking residents to wear masks outside of their rooms, for example.
“Respiratory viruses, including influenza and COVID-19, may be most contagious just before symptoms appear,” the blog post stated. “Therefore, the level of respiratory virus activity in your community is a strong indicator of potential spread within your facility.”
LTC facility staff members can access the metric at “Your Community Snapshot” on the main page of the CDC’s Respiratory Illness Data Channel, and at the Respiratory Virus Activity Levels page.
