scholarly journals The Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Long-Term Care Facilities Worldwide: An Overview on International Issues

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Dana-Claudia Thompson ◽  
Madalina-Gabriela Barbu ◽  
Cristina Beiu ◽  
Liliana Gabriela Popa ◽  
Mara Madalina Mihai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nursing Homes ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Nursing Home Residents ◽  
The United States ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Care Facilities ◽  
National Databases ◽  
The Impact

The COVID-19 pandemic had a great negative impact on nursing homes, with massive outbreaks being reported in care facilities all over the world, affecting not only the residents but also the care workers and visitors. Due to their advanced age and numerous underlying diseases, the inhabitants of long-term care facilities represent a vulnerable population that should benefit from additional protective measures against contamination. Recently, multiple countries such as France, Spain, Belgium, Canada, and the United States of America reported that an important fraction from the total number of deaths due to the SARS-CoV-2 infection emerged from nursing homes. The scope of this paper was to present the latest data regarding the COVID-19 spread in care homes worldwide, identifying causes and possible solutions that would limit the outbreaks in this overlooked category of population. It is the authors’ hope that raising awareness on this matter would encourage more studies to be conducted, considering the fact that there is little information available on the impact of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on nursing homes. Establishing national databases that would register all nursing home residents and their health status would be of great help in the future not only for managing the ongoing pandemic but also for assessing the level of care that is needed in this particularly fragile setting.

Improving the Fate of Nursing Homes During the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Need for Policy

2021 ◽  
pp. e1-e3
Author(s):  
R. Tamara Konetzka
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
United States ◽  
New York ◽  
Nursing Homes ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
New York Times ◽  
The United States ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Care Facilities

Approximately 40% of all COVID-19 deaths in the United States have been linked to long-term care facilities.1 Early in the pandemic, as the scope of the problem became apparent, the nursing home sector generated significant media attention and public alarm. A New York Times article in mid-April referred to nursing homes as “death pits”2 because of the seemingly uncontrollable spread of the virus through these facilities. This devastation continued during subsequent surges,3 but there is a role for policy to change this trajectory. (Am J Public Health. Published online ahead of print January 28, 2021: e1–e3. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2020.306107 )

Accuracy of influenza vaccination rate estimates in United States nursing home residents

2014 ◽  
Vol 143 (12) ◽  
pp. 2588-2595 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. M. GROSHOLZ ◽  
S. BLAKE ◽  
J. D. DAUGHERTY ◽  
E. AYERS ◽  
S. B. OMER ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nursing Home ◽  
Nursing Homes ◽  
Influenza Vaccination ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Nursing Home Residents ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Vaccination Rates ◽  
Vaccination Recommendations ◽  
The Impact

SUMMARYThe US Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) requires nursing homes and long-term-care facilities to document residents' vaccination status on the Resident Assessment Instrument (RAI). Vaccinating residents can prevent costly hospital admissions and deaths. CMS and public health officials use RAI data to measure vaccination rates in long-term-care residents and assess the quality of care in nursing homes. We assessed the accuracy of RAI data against medical records in 39 nursing homes in Florida, Georgia, and Wisconsin. We randomly sampled residents in each home during the 2010–2011 and 2011–2012 influenza seasons. We collected data on receipt of influenza vaccination from charts and RAI data. Our final sample included 840 medical charts with matched RAI records. The agreement rate was 0·86. Using the chart as a gold standard, the sensitivity of the RAI with respect to influenza vaccination was 85% and the specificity was 77%. Agreement rates varied within facilities from 55% to 100%. Monitoring vaccination rates in the population is important for gauging the impact of programmes and policies to promote adherence to vaccination recommendations. Use of data from RAIs is a reasonable approach for gauging influenza vaccination rates in nursing-home residents.

Psychotropic Drug Utilization in Long-Term-Care Facilities for the Elderly in Ontario, Canada

1999 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 223-233 ◽  
Author(s):  
David K. Conn ◽  
Ian Ferguson ◽  
Krystyna Mandelman ◽  
Carol Ward
Keyword(s):  
Nursing Homes ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
The United States ◽  
International Studies ◽  
Prescription Data ◽  
Homes For The Aged ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Care Facilities

Objective: Despite considerable data from a number of countries regarding psychotropic utilization in long-term-care facilities for the elderly, there has been a lack of similar data from Canada. The purpose of this study was to gather prescription data from a series of institutions in Ontario and to compare the results to those of other international studies. Method: Single-day surveys were carried out in six homes for the aged, four nursing homes, two retirement homes, and a veterans' center. The results were compared to those of recent studies from other countries. Results: The data revealed considerable differences in rates of prescription between different classes of institutions and between similarly classified institutions. The prescription rate of neuroleptics ranged from 11.8% (of patients) in retirement homes to 29.8% in nursing homes. Antidepressant use ranged from 12.2% in nursing homes to 24.6% in homes for the aged, and benzodiazepine use ranged from 22.5% in nursing homes to 36.4% in retirement homes. Conclusions: The overall rate of prescription for psychotropic medications was somewhat lower than in most international studies. The rate of prescription of neuroleptics in nursing homes fell in the midrange of studies, somewhat higher than in recent studies from the United States and an earlier Italian study, but lower than in recent reports from Sweden, Austria, and Australia. The rate of neuroleptic use in homes for the aged was comparable to the rate in the U.S. studies. The overall rate of prescription of antidepressants and benzodiazepines appears to be comparable to that in recent studies from other countries.

scholarly journals The Forgotten Psychopathology of Depressed Long-Term Care Facility Residents: A Call for Evidence-Based Practice

2021 ◽  
pp. 38-44
Author(s):  
Alcina Matos Queirós ◽  
Armin von Gunten ◽  
Manuela  Martins ◽  
Nathalie I.H. Wellens ◽  
Henk Verloo
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Nursing Homes ◽  
Psychiatric Disorders ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Nursing Home Residents ◽  
Care Facility ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Care Facilities ◽  
Health Complications

Introduction: As Earth’s population is rapidly aging, the question of how best to care for its older adults suffering from psychiatric disorders is becoming a constant and growing preoccupation. Depression is one of the most common psychiatric disorders among older adults, and depressed nursing home residents are at a particularly high risk of a decreased quality of life. The complex requirements of supporting and caring for depressed older adults in nursing homes demand the development and implementation of innovative clinical and organizational models that can ensure early identification of the disorder and high-quality multidisciplinary services for dealing with it. This perspective article aims to provide an overview of the literature and the state of the art of and the urgent need for research on the epidemiology and clinical treatment of depression among older adults. Method: In collaboration with a medical librarian, we conducted literature and bibliometric reviews of published articles in Medline Ovid SP from inception until September 30, 2020, to identify studies related to depression, depressive symptoms, mood disorders, dementia, cognitive disorders, and health complications in long-term care facilities and nursing homes. Results: We had 38,777 and 40,277 hits for depression and dementia, respectively, in long-term care facilities or nursing homes. The search equation found 536 and 1,447 studies exploring depression and dementia, respectively, and their related health complications in long-term care facilities or nursing homes. Conclusion: Depression’s relationships with other health complications have been poorly studied in long-term care facilities and nursing homes. More research is needed to understand them better.

Issues in the Management of Resistant Bacteria in Long-Term–Care Facilities

1999 ◽  
Vol 20 (05) ◽  
pp. 362-366 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suzanne F. Bradley
Keyword(s):  
Antibiotic Resistance ◽  
Nursing Homes ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Nursing Home Residents ◽  
Resistant Bacteria ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Antibiotic Resistant ◽  
Care Facilities ◽  
Scant Attention

AbstractThe prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the long-term–care setting and the risk to nursing home residents is still unknown. Few studies have been done in community-based nursing homes, and most have focused on colonization rather than infection rates. Concerns about methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureusand vancomycin-resistant enterococci have been expressed most often, while relatively scant attention has been paid to the problem of antibiotic resistance in gram-negative bacilli. Antibiotic resistance precautions need to be developed for nursing homes that are simple, effective, inexpensive, and recognize the unique rehabilitative and long-term custodial missions of chronic-care facilities.

scholarly journals A rapid systematic review of measures to protect older people in long term care facilities from COVID-19

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kate Frazer ◽  
Lachlan Mitchell ◽  
Diarmuid Stokes ◽  
Ella Lacey ◽  
Eibhlin Crowley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Nursing Homes ◽  
Older People ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Morbidity And Mortality ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Symptom Screening ◽  
Care Facilities ◽  
The Impact

AbstractThe global COVID-19 pandemic produced large-scale health and economic complications. Older people and those with comorbidities are particularly vulnerable to this virus, with nursing homes and long term care facilities experiencing significant morbidity and mortality associated with COVID-19 outbreaks. The aim of this rapid systematic review was to investigate measures implemented in long term care facilities to reduce transmission of COVID-19 and their effect on morbidity and mortality of residents, staff, and visitors. Databases (including MedRXiv pre-published repository) were systematically searched to identify studies reporting assessment of interventions to reduce transmission of COVID-19 in nursing homes among residents, staff, or visitors. Outcome measures include facility characteristics, morbidity data, case fatalities, and transmission rates. Due to study quality and heterogeneity, no meta-analysis was conducted. The search yielded 1414 articles, with 38 studies included. Reported interventions include mass testing, use of personal protective equipment, symptom screening, visitor restrictions, hand hygiene and droplet/contact precautions, and resident cohorting. Prevalence rates ranged from 1.2-85.4% in residents and 0.6-62.6% in staff. Mortality rates ranged from 5.3-55.3% in residents. Novel evidence in this review details the impact of facility size, availability of staff and practices of operating between multiple facilities, and for-profit status of facilities as factors contributing to the size and number of COVID-19 outbreaks. No causative relationships can be determined; however, this review provides evidence of interventions that reduce transmission of COVID-19 in long term care facilities.

Uitbraak COVID-19 in de verpleeghuiszorg

2020 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Nursing Home ◽  
Nursing Homes ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Informal Caregivers ◽  
Rapid Review ◽  
Daily Routine ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Care Facilities

Long-term care for older adults is highly affect by the COVID-19 outbreak. The objective of this rapid review is to understand what we can learn from previous crises or disasters worldwide to optimize the care for older adults in long term care facilities during the outbreak of COVID-19. We searched five electronic databases to identify potentially relevant articles. In total, 23 articles were included in this study. Based on the articles, it appeared that nursing homes benefit from preparing for the situation as best as they can. For instance, by having proper protocols and clear division of tasks and collaboration within the organization. In addition, it is helpful for nursing homes to collaborate closely with other healthcare organizations, general practitioners, informal caregivers and local authorities. It is recommended that nursing homes pay attention to capacity and employability of staff and that they support or relieve staff where possible. With regard to care for the older adults, it is important that staff tries to find a new daily routine in the care for residents as soon as possible. Some practical tips were found on how to communicate with people who have dementia. Furthermore, behavior of people with dementia may change during a crisis. We found tips for staff how to respond and act upon behavior change. After the COVID-19 outbreak, aftercare for staff, residents, and informal caregivers is essential to timely detect psychosocial problems. The consideration between, on the one hand, acute safety and risk reduction (e.g. by closing residential care facilities and isolating residents), and on the other hand, the psychosocial consequences for residents and staff, were discussed in case of other disasters. Furthermore, the search of how to provide good (palliative) care and to maintain quality of life for older adults who suffer from COVID-19 is also of concern to nursing home organizations. In the included articles, the perspective of older adults, informal caregivers and staff is often lacking. Especially the experiences of older adults, informal caregivers, and nursing home staff with the care for older adults in the current situation, are important in formulating lessons about how to act before, during and after the coronacrisis. This may further enhance person-centered care, even in times of crisis. Therefore, we recommend to study these experiences in future research.

Predictors of Mortality in Board and Care Homes

1997 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 77-87 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas G. Castle
Keyword(s):  
Nursing Home ◽  
Nursing Homes ◽  
Social Services ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Care Facilities ◽  
Board And Care

Long-term care institutions have emerged as dominant sites of death for the elderly. However, studies of this trend have primarily examined nursing homes. The purpose of this research is to determine demographic, functional, disease, and facility predictors and/or correlates of death for the elderly residing in board and care facilities. Twelve factors are found to be significant: proportion of residents older than sixty-five years of age, proportion of residents who are chair- or bed-fast, proportion of residents with HIV, bed size, ownership, chain membership, affiliation with a nursing home, number of health services provided other than by the facility, the number of social services provided other than by the facility, the number of social services provided by the facility, and visits by Ombudsmen. These are discussed and comparisons with similar studies in nursing homes are made.

scholarly journals Public reporting of performance measures in long-term care in Canada: does it make a difference?

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
M Poldrugovac ◽  
J E Amuah ◽  
H Wei-Randall ◽  
P Sidhom ◽  
K Morris ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Performance Measures ◽  
Performance Indicators ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Public Reporting ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Care Facilities ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Evidence of the impact of public reporting of healthcare performance on quality improvement is not yet sufficient to draw conclusions with certainty, despite the important policy implications. This study explored the impact of implementing public reporting of performance indicators of long-term care facilities in Canada. The objective was to analyse whether improvements can be observed in performance measures after publication. Methods We considered 16 performance indicators in long-term care in Canada, 8 of which are publicly reported at a facility level, while the other 8 are privately reported. We analysed data from the Continuing Care Reporting System managed by the Canadian Institute for Health Information and based on information collection with RAI-MDS 2.0 © between the fiscal years 2011 and 2018. A multilevel model was developed to analyse time trends, before and after publication, which started in 2015. The analysis was also stratified by key sample characteristics, such as the facilities' jurisdiction, size, urban or rural location and performance prior to publication. Results Data from 1087 long-term care facilities were included. Among the 8 publicly reported indicators, the trend in the period after publication did not change significantly in 5 cases, improved in 2 cases and worsened in 1 case. Among the 8 privately reported indicators, no change was observed in 7, and worsening in 1 indicator. The stratification of the data suggests that for those indicators that were already improving prior to public reporting, there was either no change in trend or there was a decrease in the rate of improvement after publication. For those indicators that showed a worsening trend prior to public reporting, the contrary was observed. Conclusions Our findings suggest public reporting of performance data can support change. The trends of performance indicators prior to publication appear to have an impact on whether further change will occur after publication. Key messages Public reporting is likely one of the factors affecting change in performance in long-term care facilities. Public reporting of performance measures in long-term care facilities may support improvements in particular in cases where improvement was not observed before publication.

Evaluating and Motivating Activation in Long Term Care: Lessons From a Pilot Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 42-46
Author(s):  
J. Jbilou ◽  
A. El Bouazaoui ◽  
B. Zhang ◽  
J.L. Henry ◽  
L McDonald ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Long Term Care ◽  
Driving Simulator ◽  
Care Home ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Care Facilities ◽  
Technological Intervention ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Research Recommendations

Older adults living in long-term care facilities typically receive insufficient exercise and have long periods of the day when they are not doing anything other than sitting or lying down, watching television, or ruminating (Wilkinson et al., 2017). We developed an intervention called the Experiential Centivizer, which provides residents with opportunities to use a driving simulator, watch world travel videos, and engage in exercise. We assessed the impact of the intervention on residents of a long-term care home in Fredericton, NB, Canada. In this paper, we report on the results observed and highlight the lessons learned from implementing a technological intervention within a long-term care setting. Practical and research recommendations are also discussed to facilitate future intervention implementation in long-term care.

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