Study shows Massachusetts response to COVID-19 in nursing homes helped
stem infection rate

Date:
September 25, 2020
Source:
Hebrew SeniorLife Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging
Research
Summary:
A new paper found that adherence to infection control processes,
especially proper wearing of personal protective equipment (PPE)
and cohorting strategies, such as grouping residents based on their
risk of infection or whether they tested positive for COVID-19,
was significantly associated with declines in weekly infection
and mortality rates.



FULL STORY ==========================================================================
A paper just published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society
found that adherence to infection control processes, especially proper
wearing of personal protective equipment (PPE) and cohorting strategies,
such as grouping residents based on their risk of infection or whether
they tested positive for COVID-19, was significantly associated with
declines in weekly infection and mortality rates.


========================================================================== Lewis A. Lipsitz, M.D., Director of the Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute
for Aging Research and Chief Academic Officer at Hebrew SeniorLife, was
the lead author on the report, which analyzed the process and outcome
of Massachusetts' novel state-wide COVID-19 infection control program
developed to stem the rate of infection among vulnerable nursing home populations.

In April 2020, Massachusetts nursing homes became a hotspot for COVID-19 infections and associated deaths. In response, Governor Charles Baker
allocated $130 million in additional nursing home funding for two
months. Funding was contingent on compliance with a new set of care
criteria, which included mandatory testing of all residents and staff,
and a 28-point infection control check-list. The 28 items included:
* six core (must-pass) competencies related to cohorting of COVID-19
cases; * closing of congregate spaces; * training and demonstrated
proficiency in the donning and removal of PPE; * proper wearing
of PPE; * the presence of appropriate infection control policies;
and * the ability of staff to recognize and respond to the signs
and symptoms
of COVID-19 infection.

Within two days of the Governor's announcement, Hebrew SeniorLife and the Massachusetts Senior Care Association collaborated to rapidly organize
a Central Command Committee and five teams responsible for:
* infection control consultation and training; * PPE procurement;
and * staffing, testing, and data management.

Eighty nursing homes with previous infection control deficiencies,
and 43 additional facilities that failed an initial State Executive
Office of Health and Human Services audit, were deemed "special focus"
for on-site and virtual consultations, and all Massachusetts facilities
were offered weekly webinars and answers to questions regarding infection control procedures. The facilities were also informed by the Massachusetts Senior Care Association of available resources for the acquisition of
PPE and back-up staff, and the Massachusetts National Guard was mobilized
to provide universal testing.

Review and analysis of data collected from the program showed both
resident and staff infection rates in special focus facilities rapidly
declined to the same low level in both groups after facilities put
recommended infection control interventions in place. For example,
special focus resident infection rates declined from 10 percent (May 17)
to approximately 0 percent (July 5).

"Massachusetts' innovative program was unprecedented in this country,"
said Dr.

Lipsitz. "It helped long-term care providers increase their knowledge of,
and access to, best infection control practices and reduce the risk of
COVID-19 spread for both residents and staff." Lou Woolf, President
and CEO of Hebrew SeniorLife said, "We hope to see this intervention
replicated in other states, appropriately funded, and sustained in all
nursing homes, so that future waves of COVID-19, and other pandemics,
can be prevented or mitigated." "This study shows the importance of prioritizing surveillance testing, funding for wages, and PPE for nursing
homes so that we can protect both our staff and our residents," said Tara Gregorio, President of the Massachusetts Senior Care Association. "Until
a vaccine is approved and available widely, these remain our best defenses against COVID-19." Co-authors on the study include Alyssa Dufour, Ph.D.,
and Laurie Herndon, G.N.P., from the Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute
for Aging Research, Alida M.

Lujan, M.B.A., M.P.A., from Massachusetts Institute of Technology Sloan
School, Gary Abrahams and Helen Magliozzi from the Massachusetts Senior
Care Association, and Mohammad Dar, M.D., from Massachusetts Medicaid (MassHealth).


========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by Hebrew_SeniorLife_Hinda_and_Arthur_Marcus_Institute_for
Aging_Research. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. Lewis A. Lipsitz, Alida M. Lujan, Alyssa Dufour, Gary Abrahams,
Helen
Magliozzi, Laurie Herndon, Mohammad Dar. Stemming the Tide of
COVID‐19 Infections in Massachusetts Nursing Homes. Journal
of the American Geriatrics Society, 2020; DOI: 10.1111/jgs.16832 ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/09/200925113325.htm

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