Long-term care providers in Connecticut have experienced a high number of deaths due to COVID-19. Concern regarding predictions by many experts that there will be a second wave of the virus prompted the state to involve a healthcare research group to assess actions that might be helpful to mitigate that possibility.
The healthcare research group recently released an interim report that may be viewed at: https://www.mathematica.org/our-publications-and-findings/publications/a-study-of-the-covid-19-outbreak-and-response-in-connecticut-long-term-care-facilities. Recommendations were developed based on their research findings. These steps suggest actions to be taken by either the state, long-term care providers, or both:
- The state and long-term care industry should balance strict measures meant to limit the spread of the virus with the necessary person-centered supports for residents’ physical, emotional, and psychosocial needs.
- The state should ensure that all personnel inspecting nursing homes receive ongoing training, specifically in infection control and prevention, and that these inspectors are regularly tested so that they do not become potential sources of infection.
- The state should continuously revisit its guidance related to testing residents and staff as scientific understanding of the virus evolves and testing capacity remains ample.
- The state should continue its work to procure and distribute personal protective equipment to long-term care facilities as needed.
- Facilities should adopt staffing policies that can help limit exposure for staff and residents. The state should extend its temporary suspension of in-state licensure requirements for as long as the public health emergency remains in place.
- The state should work with facilities to make a concerted effort to allow residents and loved ones to safely visit and to provide family members with accurate and timely information on residents’ health and well-being.
- The state should begin planning now to expand the capacity of COVID-19 recovery facilities so it can deploy quickly in response to the severity of a potential second wave.
- The state should continue to assess how it supports facilities with the cost of widespread testing of residents and staff and consider options for enhanced Medicaid reimbursement to nursing homes
Compliance Perspective
In light of growing concerns expressed by many experts predicting a second wave of the Coronavirus, long-term care providers should consider and re-evaluate the effectiveness of their response in preventing the spread of COVID-19 to both residents and staff, and develop and implement new strategies to further mitigate the spread of the disease and potentially reduce the number of related deaths.
Discussion Points:
- Review policies and procedures to ensure they address adequate staffing levels designed to help limit exposure for employees and residents, provide safe visitation guidelines for residents and families/loved ones, improve communication about residents’ health and well-being with families/loved ones, and provide adequate testing and personal protective equipment (PPE) to staff.
- Train staff regarding all procedures and protocols designed to prevent the spread of COVID-19, safe visitation between residents and families/loved ones, proper wearing and disposal of PPE, and hand hygiene.
- Periodically audit to ensure that policies and procedures regarding safe visitation, communication to families/loved ones, the provision and wearing of PPE, adequate staffing, and access to adequate testing for both staff and residents are being followed consistently.
