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Reducing healthcare-acquired infections is an ongoing patient safety goal. In this study, researchers used structured observations to explore factors contributing to healthcare-related infections in nursing homes in one region of Italy. Findings highlight the need to improve the physical care environment (e.g., room ventilation), handwashing compliance, and appropriate use of antibiotics.

Health care workers are known to work while unwell due to stigma, commitment, and personal finances. This article discusses presenteeism in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. It discusses challenges for individuals who feel organizational pressure to return to work despite health concerns for themselves, their families, and their patients.   

These authors discuss the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on burnout and moral distress among nurses and outline several recommendations to support nurses, promote resilience, and maintain patient outcomes during and after the pandemic.

This study surveyed healthcare professionals in Israel and Portugal to identify key human factors that influence the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) when caring for patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19. Respondents attributed difficulties in wearing PPE to discomfort, challenges in hearing and seeing, and doffing. Analyses also found an association between PPE discomfort and situational awareness, but this association reflected difficulties in communication (e.g., hearing and understanding speech).

These authors discuss the role of family caregivers during the COVID-19 pandemic and suggest avenues to support the relationship between families and residents of long-term care facilities, including strengthening communicating channels, activating family councils, and utilizing gerontological social work students.

This commentary discusses the ongoing impact of COVID-19 on the physical, emotional, and mental health on the healthcare workforce and outlines five high-priority actions at the organizational- and national level to protect the health and wellbeing of the healthcare workforce during and after the pandemic.  

This policy brief presents the American Geriatric Society’s recommendations for caring for patients with COVID-19 in nursing homes and long-term care facilities. Recommendations focus on the production and distribution of personal protective equipment (PPE), patient transfer between hospitals and nursing homes, public health planning, workforce issues, and payment and tax relief for nursing homes. The brief reflects federal guidance as of April 4, 2020.

Older adults are particularly vulnerable to COVID-19. This article discusses challenges faced by long-term care facilities in caring for patients during the pandemic and steps facilities can take to protect their residents.

This commentary discusses the provision of safe care in long-term care settings during the COVID-19 pandemic. The authors propose the following measures to ensure the safety of long-term care patients: facilities should only accept patients with COVID-19 infections if they can provide effective airborne isolation; patients recovering from COVID-19 need to have 2 negative tests on 2 consecutive days, as well as remain fever-free without mediation for at least 48 hours and not require ventilatory support that generates aerosols; facilities should screen potential admissions for typical and atypical signs and symptoms of COVID-19, and; facilities that are currently COVID-19 naïve should not accept any new admissions for whom there may be a concern for COVID-19.