A systematic review of long-term care facility characteristics associated with COVID-19 outcomes
September 21, 2021
IMPACT multiple principal investigator Vincent Mor, PhD, co-authored a systematic review to examine the evidence base on factors associated with COVID-19 cases and deaths in long-term care facilities published in the September issue of the Journal of the American Geriatric Society (JAGS).
The authors state that COVID-19 pandemic created a “perfect storm” in its impact within nursing homes. Authors attribute the disproportional toll on long term care residents and staff to the nature of the virus, the vulnerability of the residents and the impact of COVID-19 infection rates in the surrounding community, To learn about the impact of the various factors leading up to this perfect storm, the researchers identified and conducted a systematic review of 36 empirical studies of factors associated COVID-19 cases and deaths in long-term care facilities between January 1, 2020 and June 15, 2021.
The review showed larger bed size and location in an area with high COVID-19 prevalence were the strongest and most consistent predictors or more cases and deaths in facilities. Outcomes varied by facility racial composition and the authors found that increased outbreaks were associated with higher staffing rates, but more staff hours may have prevented deaths.
The paper provides insights which can inform decision making about which policies might work in future pandemics, including the potential benefit of technical assistance and resources in virus hotspots.
The review was led by R. Tamara Konetzka, PhD, University of Chicago, and included Elizabeth M. White APRN, PhD2, Brown University School of Public Health, Alexander Pralea, Brown University, David C. Grabowski PhD, Harvard Medical School, and Mor.