Long-term care facilities went through an array of changes in the last year in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, testing nearly every plan and relationship in place pre-pandemic. One year later, it seems like a good time to look back at facilities’ plans — such as relationships with local health departments — to identify weak spots in anticipation of the next emergency.
According to GeriPal, a survey of pre-pandemic preparations among long-term care facilities offer lessons managers can use to prepare more successfully for the next pandemic. Among the issues:
• Infection preventionist staffing levels were low.
• More than one-half of residential care facilities lacked a pandemic influenza plan.
• Most nursing homes had inadequate evacuation plans.
• Nursing homes developed their disaster plans “with little input from or coordination with public health or emergency management officials.”
• Disaster preparedness for long-term care facilities received little research attention in spite of the dangers faced by these vulnerable populations.
Healthy Buildings, Healthy Futures: IWBI and Georgetown Convene Policy Leaders in D.C.
California Bill Could Shift Workers' Comp Burden for Hospitals
Sturdy Health Announces Emergency Department Expansion and Modernization
Sabine County Hospital Falls Victim to Data Breach
Rethinking Sinks with Infection Control in Mind