Stemming the Tide of COVID-19 Infections in Massachusetts Nursing Homes

September 15, 2020

IMPACT member Laurie Herndon, MSN, GNP, BC, is among the authors describing the April 2020 Massachusetts program implementing a new set of care criteria including mandatory testing of all residents and staff, and a 28-point infection control checklist. Both resident and staff infection rates started higher in special focus facilities, then rapidly declined to the same low level in both groups after implementation. Adherence to infection control processes, especially proper wearing of PPE and cohorting, was significantly associated with declines in weekly infection and mortality rates. This statewide effort could serve as a national model for other states to prevent the devastating effects of pandemics such as COVID-19 in frail NH residents.