When planning meets reality: COVID-19 interpandemic survey of Michigan Nursing Homes - 22/10/21
Highlights |
• | Nursing homes lacked adequate resources and staff during the COVID-19 pandemic. |
• | Advice to prevent and manage facility outbreaks was rapidly changing, often conflicting. |
• | Nursing homes should be considered in discussions of medical supply allocation. |
• | Nursing homes are an integral piece of the national healthcare system. |
Abstract |
Background |
Nursing home (NH) populations have borne the brunt of morbidity and mortality of COVID-19. We surveyed Michigan NHs to evaluate preparedness, staffing, testing, and adaptations to these challenges.
Methods |
Interpandemic survey responses were collected May 1-12, 2020. We used Pearson's Chi-squared test, Fisher's exact test, and logistic regression to evaluate relationships.
Results |
Of 452 Michigan NHs contacted via e-mail, 145 (32.1%) opened the survey and of these, 143 (98.6%) responded. Sixty-eight percent of respondents indicated their response plan addressed most issues. NHs reported receiving rapidly changing guidance from many sources. Two-thirds reported shortages of personal protective equipment and other supplies. Half (50%) lacked sufficient testing resources with only 36% able to test residents and staff with suspected COVID-19. A majority (55%) experienced staffing shortages. Sixty-three percent experienced resignations, with front-line clinical staff more likely to resign, particularly in facilities caring for COVID-19 patients (P < .001). Facilities adapted quickly, creating COVID-19 units (78%) to care for patients on site. To reduce isolation, NHs facilitated communication via phone calls (98%), videoconferencing (96%), and window visits (81%). A majority continued to provide requisite therapies (90%).
Conclusions |
NHs experienced shortages of resources, testing supplies, and staffing challenges. COVID-19 in the facility was a key predictor of staff resignations. Facilities relied on rapidly changing, often conflicting advice from multiple sources, suggesting high-yield areas of improvement.
Le texte complet de cet article est disponible en PDF.Keywords : Preparedness, Staffing, Infection prevention and control, Pandemic
Plan
Conflicts of interest: The authors declare no potential conflicts of interest. |
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Funding: This work is supported by the Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality (RO1 HS25451). |
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Sponsor's role: Study sponsors had no involvement in survey design, data acquisition, data analyses, or manuscript preparation. |
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Data sharing: Data collected will be made available on request following manuscript publication. Data will be provided for research purposes only, after investigator approval of proposal for data use. |
Vol 49 - N° 11
P. 1343-1349 - novembre 2021 Retour au numéroBienvenue sur EM-consulte, la référence des professionnels de santé.