An analysis of ICAR recommendations for long-term care facilities in Alabama

The Alabama Long-Term Care Strike Team was established in 2022 to help long-term care facilities build and maintain infection prevention and control (IPC) systems. Infection preventionists use CDC’s Infection Control Assessment and Response (ICAR) tools to provide IPC-specific recommendations. Analysis of ICAR recommendations identified the 3 greatest training needs in Alabama: source control, hand hygiene, and environmental cleaning. The ICAR provides a standardized and objective way to monitor and mitigate IPC risk. •The study team established high inter-rater agreement (κ ≥ 0.95) among reviewers.•Investigators separated informational from actionable ICAR recommendations.•Identified needs: source control, hand hygiene, and environmental cleaning.•ICAR recommendations have informed IPC training activities throughout Alabama.•Statewide and regional IPC boot camps emphasize standard precautions.