Services Offered to LTC
Many of the services listed below utilize programs throughout Whitman County Public Health. To help you connect quickly with services and serve as a primary point of contact, our Disease Prevention Team will work closely with your organization.
Disease Prevention and Control
Our team is available to provide guidance to help prevent the spread of illness within your long-term care facility, among residents, staff, and the broader community.
Long-term care facilities are required to notify Whitman County Public Health of any reportable illnesses occurring among residents and staff.
To report an illness to WCPH, fill out our General Communicable Disease (GCD) Reporting Form.
Infection Control and Response (ICAR)
Effective infection control is critical to preventing communicable diseases. Our team will provide free/non-regulatory Infection Control Assessment and Response (ICAR) consultations for Long-Term Care, Skilled Nursing Facilities and Nursing Homes in Whitman County. We work closely with the facility to improve your infection control practices.
TB testing for employees
The Washington Administrative Codes (WAC) requires all nursing home employees tested for Tuberculosis. We offer low-cost skin testing for Tuberculosis (TB). A visit for a 1-step TB skin test, including the reading of the test is $35. If a 2-step test is required, the cost is $50. If follow-up testing is required, we will refer to other providers in the area to provide the services.
Adult Immunizations
Whitman County Community Clinic offers low-cost vaccinations to adults 19 years and up who are either uninsured (currently have no health insurance) or underinsured (your current health insurance does not cover any of the cost of the vaccination you are seeking).
Pets and Animals - Rabies Prevention
Pet visits are encouraged for the enjoyment of the residents. Whitman County Public Health supports the pet and human interaction that can make the elderly feel needed and enhance their sense of purpose and self-worth. It’s the facility's responsibility to ensure that the residents benefit from animals in the facility, while preventing the risk of injuries and disease to the residents, employees, and the animals.
If your facility experiences an animal bite, our disease prevention team can help you determine the risks and potential rabies exposure.
Food Safety
Our team can review your food preparation facilities, food handling practices, and menu safety.
Contact the Environmental Health Team: eh@whitmancounty.gov
General Resources for LTC
Isolation Precaution signs
Various signage regarding isolation precautions for illnesses of different contact types.
Visiting Patients with Infectious Diseases
Use this guide to follow safety precautions when visiting a patient. A precaution is something you do to prevent the spread of infection from or to a patient.
MDRO Job Aid
This job aid can be used by skilled nursing home staff during the admission of new residents, or screening residents who are returning from the hospital or emergency departments.
Current Immunization schedule for adults
2025 Recommended Immunizations for Adults Aged 19 Years and Older
Interfacility Transfer Form
This example Inter-facility Infection Control patient transfer form can assist in fostering communication during transitions of care. This concept and draft was developed by the Utah Healthcare-associated Infection (HAI) working group and shared with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state partners courtesy of the Utah State Department of Health.
Education Training for LTC Employees
Long Term Care Infection Prevention Empower Hour
Starting in March, APIC Puget Sound and DOH will host monthly infection prevention education calls for LTC settings such as nursing homes and SNFs. Sign up to enhance your infection prevention knowledge and stay ahead in protecting residents and staff with the latest infection prevention strategies.
WA Project Firstline
This multi-part interactive training, offered in both English and Spanish, aims to provide frontline healthcare workers with practical life-saving infection prevention and control education. With this training, participants will be able to earn continuing education and continuing nursing education (CE/CNE) credits.