Questions to Ask Before You Choose
An Infection Prevention Guide for Future Residents and Families.
Choosing a long-term care facility is one of the most consequential decisions a family will ever make — and infection prevention should be at the top of your checklist. Most families tour a facility and ask about meals, activities, and room sizes. Very few ask about infection rates, outbreak history, or whether the facility has a dedicated infection preventionist on staff.
They should.
This guide gives you the specific, practical questions to ask any facility before making your decision. You deserve to know how a facility protects the people who call it home.
You don't need a clinical background to ask these questions. You just need to know they exist.
Staffing & Infection Prevention Leadership
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Does this facility have a dedicated, full-time infection preventionist on staff?
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What are their credentials? (CIC, LTC-CIP, or equivalent certification)
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How many hours per week does the infection preventionist spend in the building?
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Who does the infection preventionist report to — and do they have a direct line to leadership?
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Is infection prevention a standalone role, or is it shared with other responsibilities?
Infection Rates & Outbreak History
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What were your facility's infection rates over the past 12 months?
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Have you had any significant outbreaks in the past two years? How were they managed?
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How does your infection rate compare to the state and national average?
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What is your current MRSA and C. diff rate?
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Do you track and report healthcare-associated infections to state or federal authorities?
Survey Performance & Regulatory Standing
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What is your current CMS star rating for health inspections?
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Have you received any infection control deficiencies in your last survey?
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How did you respond to deficiencies, and what changes were made?
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What is your plan of correction process when infection-related citations occur?
Prevention Programs & Staff Training
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How often is infection prevention training provided to all staff — including housekeeping and dietary?
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What is your hand hygiene compliance rate, and how is it monitored?
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Do you conduct surveillance for healthcare-associated infections?
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What is your PPE protocol for caring for residents with active infections?
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Do you have an antimicrobial stewardship program?
Transparency & Communication
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How do you communicate with families when an outbreak occurs?
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Are infection rates posted or available to families on request?
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Who is my point of contact if I have infection prevention concerns about my family member?
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Can I speak directly with the infection preventionist before admission?
Visitor & Admission Policies
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What infection prevention protocols are in place for new admissions?
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How do you screen visitors and staff during respiratory illness season?
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What is your policy for isolating a resident with a communicable illness?
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How do you handle residents returning from the hospital?
Hear It from an Expert
Aaron Woodall — VA healthcare professional and family education advocate — walks through what families should ask and why these questions matter.