scholarly journals SARS-CoV-2 Epidemics in Retirement and Nursing Homes in Italy: A New Preparedness Assessment Model after the First Epidemic Wave

Author(s):  
Carmelo Gugliotta ◽  
Davide Gentili ◽  
Silvia Marras ◽  
Marco Dettori ◽  
Pietro Paolo Muglia ◽  
...  

The aim of the study is to evaluate the preparedness of retirement and nursing homes in the city of Sassari at the end of the first wave of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 epidemic, first by investigating the risk perception of epidemic outbreaks by the facility managers and subsequently by carrying out a field assessment of these facilities. To perform the field assessment, a checklist developed by the CDC (Infection Prevention and Control Assessment Tool for Nursing Homes Preparing for COVID-19) and adapted to the Italian context was used. Fourteen facilities took part in the survey (87.5%). The application of good practices for each survey area was expressed as a percentage with the following median values: restriction policies (87.5%), staff training (53.8%), resident training (67.6%), availability of personal protective equipment (41.7%), infection control practices (73.5%) and communication (80%). Among the facilities, considerable variability was observed in these evaluation fields: only the restriction policies and communication activities were applied uniformly. A discrepancy was found between perceived risk and real danger in the facilities, requiring targeted communication actions. At present, it is necessary to promote a new approach based on the prediction of critical events, thereby providing the means to effectively address them.

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (5) ◽  
pp. 182-188
Author(s):  
Katrien Latour ◽  
Jan De Lepeleire ◽  
Béatrice Jans ◽  
Frank Buntinx ◽  
Boudewijn Catry

Background: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are one of the most frequently reported infections in older adults and the most common reason for antimicrobial prescribing in nursing homes (NHs). In this vulnerable population, both a good diagnosis and prevention of these infections are crucial as overuse of antibiotics can lead to a variety of negative consequences including the development of multidrug-resistant organisms. Objective: To determine infection prevention and control (IPC) and diagnostic practices for UTIs in Belgian NHs. Methods: Local staff members had to complete an institution-level questionnaire exploring the availability of IPC practices and resources and procedures for UTI surveillance, diagnosis, and urinary catheter and incontinence care. Results: UTIs were the second most common infections in the 87 participating NHs (prevalence: 1.0%). Dipstick tests and urine cultures were routinely performed in 30.2% and 44.6% of the facilities, respectively. In non-catheterised residents, voided or midstream urine sampling was most frequently applied. Protocols/guidelines for urine sampling, urinary catheter care and incontinence care were available in 43.7%, 45.9% and 31.0% of the NHs, respectively. Indwelling catheters were uncommon (2.3% of the residents) and urinary retention (84.9%) and wound management (48.8%) were the most commonly reported indications. Only surveillance was found to significantly impact the UTI prevalence: 2.2% versus 0.8% in NHs with or without surveillance, respectively ( P < 0.001). Discussion: This survey identified key areas for improving the diagnosis and prevention of UTIs, such as education and training regarding the basics of urine collection and catheter care.


Author(s):  
Lucia Cazzoletti ◽  
Maria Elisabetta Zanolin ◽  
Ilaria Tocco Tussardi ◽  
Mulubirhan Assefa Alemayohu ◽  
Ernesto Zanetel ◽  
...  

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic had a devastating impact on nursing homes/long-term care facilities. This study examined the relationship between geography, size, design, organizational characteristics, and implementation of infection prevention and control (IPC) measures and the extent of COVID-19 outbreaks in nursing homes in the Autonomous Province of Trento (Italy) during the time frame of March-May 2020. Methods: The analysis included 57 nursing homes (5145 beds). The association between median cumulative incidence of COVID-19 cases among residents and characteristics of nursing homes was assessed by Mann–Whitney U test, Kruskal–Wallis test or Spearman rho. To evaluate the potential confounding of geographical area, a 2-level random intercept logistic model was fitted, with level 1 units (patients in nursing homes) nested into level 2 units (nursing homes), and “being a COVID-19 case” as the dependent variable. Results: Median cumulative incidence was not significantly associated with any of the variables, except for geographical region (p = 0.002). COVID-19 cases clustered in the part of the province bordering the Italian region most affected by the pandemic (Lombardy) (45% median cumulative incidence). Conclusions: Structural/organizational factors and standard IPC measures may not predict the epidemiology of COVID-19 outbreaks and be sufficient alone to protect nursing homes against them.


BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. e053235
Author(s):  
Lisa S van Tol ◽  
Hanneke J A Smaling ◽  
Janneke M Groothuijse ◽  
Arno J Doornebosch ◽  
Sarah I M Janus ◽  
...  

ObjectivesNursing homes are hit relatively hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. Dutch long-term care (LTC) organisations installed outbreak teams (OTs) to coordinate COVID-19 infection prevention and control. LTC organisations and relevant national policy organisations expressed the need to share experiences from these OTs that can be applied directly in COVID-19 policy. The aim of the ‘COVID-19 management in nursing homes by outbreak teams’ (MINUTES) study is to describe the challenges, responses and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in Dutch nursing homes. In this first article, we describe the MINUTES Study and present data characteristics.DesignThis large-scale multicentre study has a qualitative design using manifest content analysis. The participating organisations shared their OT minutes and other meeting documents on a weekly basis. Data from week 16 (April) to week 53 (December) 2020 included the first two waves of COVID-19.SettingNational study with 41 large Dutch LTC organisations.ParticipantsThe LTC organisations represented 563 nursing home locations and almost 43 000 residents.ResultsAt least 36 of the 41 organisations had one or more SARS-CoV-2 infections among their residents. Most OTs were composed of management, medical staff, support services staff, policy advisors and communication specialists. Topics that emerged from the documents were: crisis management, isolation of residents, personal protective equipment and hygiene, staff, residents’ well-being, visitor policies, testing and vaccination.ConclusionsOT meeting minutes are a valuable data source to monitor the impact of and responses to COVID-19 in nursing homes. Depending on the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, data collection and analysis will continue until November 2021. The results are used directly in national and organisational COVID-19 policy.


2016 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 85-88 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carolyn T.A. Herzig ◽  
Patricia W. Stone ◽  
Nicholas Castle ◽  
Monika Pogorzelska-Maziarz ◽  
Elaine L. Larson ◽  
...  

2015 ◽  
Vol 43 (6) ◽  
pp. S29 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carolyn Herzig ◽  
Nicholas Castle ◽  
Monika Pogorzelska-Maziarz ◽  
John Engberg ◽  
Elaine L. Larson ◽  
...  

2015 ◽  
Vol 36 (4) ◽  
pp. 267-272 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patricia W. Stone ◽  
Carolyn T.A. Herzig ◽  
Monika Pogorzelska-Maziarz ◽  
Eileen Carter ◽  
Ragnhildur I. Bjarnadottir ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Jarapla Srinivas Nayak ◽  
Tittu Thomas James ◽  
Shubham Menaria ◽  
Dr. Centina Rose John ◽  
Dr. Dhargave Pradnya

COVID-19 is a new pandemic disease which was reported initially at the city of Wuhan in the Hubei province ofChina on 31 December 2019. 1Recent events have reported its presence in more than 150 countries and with 132758 confirmed cases and a total of 4955 deaths as on 13th March 2020.2Although the death rate due to the disease is 6% or less, the persons who are affected in a short span of time is at an alarming rate.3 In this context, World Health Organization (WHO) have declared the disease as pandemic on 11th March 2020.


Author(s):  
V. GUION ◽  
L. HE ◽  
H. BLAIN ◽  
H. VILLARS ◽  
G. DUREL ◽  
...  

Background/Objectives: To identify which infection prevention and control (IPC) precautions in long-term care facilities (LTCF) were associated with reduced COVID-19 incidence and mortality among residents and reduced COVID-19 incidence in health care professionals (HCP). Design: Retrospective data on self-assessment of adherence to 101 IPC measures collected via an online questionnaire sent to 825 nursing homes in France in December 2020. Setting and participants: Medical and administrative staff jointly reported data on IPC measures, characteristics of LTCF, counts of residents’ COVID-19 deaths and cases, and counts of HCP cases. Measurements: Random forest models were used to identify the most important IPC measures associated with reduced number of COVID-19 deaths and cases in residents and cases in HCP. The identified variables were then included in linear regression models to estimate the association between levels of adherence to each selected IPC measure and COVID-19 deaths and cases. No data on time of IPC measures implementation were collected. Results: Data from 307 LTCF (37.2%) were collected, accounting for 22,214 residents. A higher number of COVID-19 deaths in residents was associated with a better adherence to physical distancing in group activity rooms. A better adherence by HCP to physical distancing during their mealtimes and break times was associated with fewer COVID-19 cases among residents and HCP. Other IPC measures were not significantly associated with COVID-19 cases or deaths. Conclusion: Physical distancing between residents was more implemented when LTCF had been confronted with COVID-19 deaths. Physical distancing between HCP was associated with fewer COVID-19 cases in residents and HCP, suggesting it may prevent significantly COVID-19 spreading in LTCF. HCP should particularly adhere to physical distancing measures during their mealtimes and break times. A higher adherence to such preventive measures does not require extra material or human resources and may be easily achievable.


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