National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report
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- (-) COVID-19 (13)
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- Education: Continuing Medical Education (1)
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- (-) Nursing Homes (13)
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AHRQ Research Studies
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Research Studies is a compilation of published research articles funded by AHRQ or authored by AHRQ researchers.
Results
1 to 13 of 13 Research Studies DisplayedHua Y, Temkin-Greener H, Cai S
Primary care telemedicine use among assisted living residents with dementia during COVID-19: race and dual enrollment status.
The purpose of this study was to explore primary care telemedicine use among Medicare beneficiaries with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) who resided in Assisted Living Facilities (Als) during the early stage of the COVID-19 pandemic, with a focus on possible racial and socioeconomic differences. The study found that at the start of the pandemic in quarter 2 of 2020, Black residents were less likely to have telemedicine visits than their White counterparts. In the following two quarters, Black residents were more likely to receive primary care via telemedicine than White residents; a similar difference was observed between Hispanic and White residents, but with smaller effect sizes. Compared with nondual residents, dual residents were more likely to receive primary care via telemedicine in Q3. In addition, residents in AL communities with a higher proportion of dual residents, compared with those in low-dual ALs, were less likely to receive primary care via telemedicine throughout the study period. However, the difference in telemedicine use between higher vs lower dual ALs narrowed over time.
AHRQ-funded; HS026893.
Citation: Hua Y, Temkin-Greener H, Cai S .
Primary care telemedicine use among assisted living residents with dementia during COVID-19: race and dual enrollment status.
J Am Med Dir Assoc 2023 Aug; 24(8):1157-58.e3. doi: 10.1016/j.jamda.2023.05.005..
Keywords: COVID-19, Primary Care, Telehealth, Health Information Technology (HIT), Nursing Homes, Long-Term Care, Dementia, Neurological Disorders, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Elderly
Powell KR, Winkler AE, Liu J
A mixed-methods analysis of telehealth implementation in nursing homes amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
The objective of this study was to investigate the implementation of telehealth in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Researchers conducted a secondary analysis of data from a national survey of nursing home administrative leaders using six survey questions and semi-structured interviews. Their conclusions indicate that training, restructuring teams and tasks, and adaptation of work processes to support communication could improve usability and sustainability of telehealth in nursing homes.
AHRQ-funded; HS02249.
Citation: Powell KR, Winkler AE, Liu J .
A mixed-methods analysis of telehealth implementation in nursing homes amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
J Am Geriatr Soc 2022 Dec;70(12):3493-502. doi: 10.1111/jgs.18020..
Keywords: COVID-19, Elderly, Telehealth, Health Information Technology (HIT), Nursing Homes, Implementation
Crnich CJ
Reimagining infection control in U.S. nursing homes in the era of COVID-19.
This paper provides an overview of nursing home (NH) infection and control, reviews the 2016 CMS changes to federal regulations, and proposes recommendations to sustain improvements. COVID-19 put further pressure on nursing homes who were already strained by rising numbers of infections from C. difficile and multidrug-resistant organisms. The author puts out a call for reimagining infection prevention and control using the Systems Engineering Initiative for Patient Safety framework. Additional recommendations are made to enhance NH infection prevention and control programs in the areas of people, tasks, tools, organization, built environment, and external environment.
AHRQ-funded; HS022465.
Citation: Crnich CJ .
Reimagining infection control in U.S. nursing homes in the era of COVID-19.
J Am Med Dir Assoc 2022 Dec;23(12):1909-15. doi: 10.1016/j.jamda.2022.10.022..
Keywords: Elderly, COVID-19, Public Health, Infectious Diseases, Nursing Homes, Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Prevention
Dube WC, Kellogg JT, Adams C
Quantifying risk for SARS-CoV-2 infection among nursing home workers for the 2020-2021 winter surge of the COVID-19 pandemic in Georgia, USA.
This study’s objective was to estimate incidence of risks for COVID-19 infection among nursing home staff in the state of Georgia during the 2020-2021 Winter surge in the US. Staff at fourteen nursing homes were given a survey and serologic testing at 2 time points with 3-month interval exposure assessment. At the first time point, 203 study eligible contracted or employed staff members from these participating nursing homes were seronegative. At the second time point, 72 (35.5%) had evidence of interval infection. Among unvaccinated staff, infection rates were significantly higher among nurses and certified nursing assistants accounting for race and interval infection incidence in both the community and facility.
AHRQ-funded; HS025987.
Citation: Dube WC, Kellogg JT, Adams C .
Quantifying risk for SARS-CoV-2 infection among nursing home workers for the 2020-2021 winter surge of the COVID-19 pandemic in Georgia, USA.
J Am Med Dir Assoc 2022 Jun;23(6):942-46.e1. doi: 10.1016/j.jamda.2022.02.014..
Keywords: COVID-19, Nursing Homes, Provider: Health Personnel, Risk, Public Health
Li Y, Cheng Z, Cai X
State social distancing restrictions and nursing home outcomes.
This study examined how state orders for social distancing to curb COVID-19 morbidity and mortality affected nursing home patients and what potential negative health consequences they may have had. The authors examined state social distancing restrictions from June to August of 2020 and their associations with the weekly numbers of new COVID cases, new COVID deaths, and new non-COVID deaths in nursing homes across the US. They found that stronger state social distancing measures were associated with improved outcomes, reduced across-facility disparities in COVID outcomes, and somewhat increased non-COVID-19 death rates. The estimates for non-COVID-19 deaths were sensitive to alternative model specifications.
AHRQ-funded; HS026893; HS024923.
Citation: Li Y, Cheng Z, Cai X .
State social distancing restrictions and nursing home outcomes.
Sci Rep 2022 Jan 20;12(1):1058. doi: 10.1038/s41598-022-05011-6..
Keywords: COVID-19, Nursing Homes, Prevention, Public Health
Jones K, Mantey J, Washer L
When planning meets reality: COVID-19 interpandemic survey of Michigan nursing homes.
This survey examined conditions at Michigan nursing homes (NHs) during the COVID-19 pandemic period. This survey evaluated preparedness, staffing, testing, and adaptations made due to COVID. Of 452 Michigan NHs contacted via email, 145 opened the survey of those,143 responded from May 1-12, 2020. Two-thirds reported shortages of personal protective equipment. Half lacked sufficient testing resources with only 36% able to test residents and staff when needed. A majority (55%) experienced staffing shortages, with 63% experiencing resignations with front-line clinical staff more likely to resign. Facilities showed rapid adaptation, with 78% creating COVID-19 units to care for patients on site. To reduce isolation, most NHs facilitated communication via phone calls, videoconferencing, and window visits. The majority continued to provide normal required therapies (90%).
AHRQ-funded; HS025451.
Citation: Jones K, Mantey J, Washer L .
When planning meets reality: COVID-19 interpandemic survey of Michigan nursing homes.
Am J Infect Control 2021 Nov;49(11):1343-49. doi: 10.1016/j.ajic.2021.03.016..
Keywords: COVID-19, Nursing Homes, Public Health, Emergency Preparedness
Baughman AW, Renton M, Wehbi NK
Building community and resilience in Massachusetts nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Researchers discuss the partnership of the Massachusetts Senior Care Association and Hebrew SeniorLife with AHRQ ECHO National Nursing Home COVID-19 Action Network (the Network). This educational program provided 16 weeks of free weekly virtual sessions to 295 eligible nursing homes. The Network weekly meetings were a source of connection, emotional support, and validation and may be a valuable mechanism to support resilience and wellbeing for nursing home staff.
AHRQ-funded; 75Q80120C00003.
Citation: Baughman AW, Renton M, Wehbi NK .
Building community and resilience in Massachusetts nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic.
J Am Geriatr Soc 2021 Oct;69(10):2716-21. doi: 10.1111/jgs.17389..
Keywords: COVID-19, Elderly, Nursing Homes, Evidence-Based Practice, Provider: Health Personnel, Education: Continuing Medical Education, Training
Montoya A, Jenq G, Mills JP
Partnering with local hospitals and public health to manage COVID-19 outbreaks in nursing homes.
In this study, the authors described, among short-term and long-term residents at three nursing homes (NHs) in Michigan, the outbreak identification process, universal testing, point prevalence of COVID-19, and subsequent containment efforts, outcomes, and challenges. They found that proactive and coordinated steps between NH medical directors and administrators, referral hospitals including their laboratories, and local public health officials were necessary to respond rapidly to an outbreak and to limit the transmission of COVID-19. They suggested that this coordinated public health approach may save lives, minimize the burden to the healthcare system, and reduce healthcare costs.
AHRQ-funded; HS025451.
Citation: Montoya A, Jenq G, Mills JP .
Partnering with local hospitals and public health to manage COVID-19 outbreaks in nursing homes.
J Am Geriatr Soc 2021 Jan;69(1):30-36. doi: 10.1111/jgs.16869..
Keywords: Hospitals, Nursing Homes, Long-Term Care, Public Health, COVID-19, Elderly, Infectious Diseases
Temkin-Greener H, Guo W, Mao Y
COVID-19 pandemic in assisted living communities: results from seven states.
The purpose of this observational study was to describe variations in COVID-19 confirmed cases and deaths among assisted living (AL) residents and examine their associations with key AL characteristics. The investigators concluded that ALs with a higher proportion of minorities had more COVID-19 cases. Many of the previously identified individual risk factors were also present in this vulnerable population.
AHRQ-funded; HS024923; HS026893; HS026893.
Citation: Temkin-Greener H, Guo W, Mao Y .
COVID-19 pandemic in assisted living communities: results from seven states.
J Am Geriatr Soc 2020 Dec;68(12):2727-34. doi: 10.1111/jgs.16850..
Keywords: Elderly, Public Health, COVID-19, Nursing Homes, Vulnerable Populations, Risk
White EM, Kosar CM, Feifer RA
Variation in SARS-CoV-2 prevalence in U.S. skilled nursing facilities.
The objective of this study was to identify county and facility factors associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) outbreaks in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs). The investigators concluded that larger SNFs and SNFs in areas of high SARS-CoV-2 prevalence were at high risk for outbreaks and must have access to universal testing to detect cases, implement mitigation strategies, and prevent further potentially avoidable cases and related complications.
AHRQ-funded; HS000011.
Citation: White EM, Kosar CM, Feifer RA .
Variation in SARS-CoV-2 prevalence in U.S. skilled nursing facilities.
J Am Geriatr Soc 2020 Oct;68(10):2167-73. doi: 10.1111/jgs.16752..
Keywords: COVID-19, Elderly, Nursing Homes, Long-Term Care, Public Health, Infectious Diseases
Li Y, Temkin-Greener H, Shan G
COVID-19 infections and deaths among Connecticut nursing home residents: facility correlates.
This study looked at the relationship between higher registered nurse (RN) staffing, quality ratings, the concentration of Medicaid residents or racial/ethnic minorities; and the number of COVID-19 confirmed cases and deaths at nursing homes. All Connecticut nursing homes (n = 215) were included in the study. As of April 16, 2020, the average number of confirmed cases was 8 per nursing home (zero in 107 facilities) and the number of confirmed deaths was 1.7 per nursing (zero in 131 facilities). In nursing homes with at least one death, every 20-minute increase in RN staffing significantly predicted 26% fewer COVID-19 deaths and was associated with 22% fewer confirmed cases. Facilities with a high concentration of Medicaid residents or racial/ethnic minority residents had 16% and 15% more confirmed cases.
AHRQ-funded; HS024923; HS026893.
Citation: Li Y, Temkin-Greener H, Shan G .
COVID-19 infections and deaths among Connecticut nursing home residents: facility correlates.
J Am Geriatr Soc 2020 Sep;68(9):1899-906. doi: 10.1111/jgs.16689..
Keywords: Elderly, COVID-19, Nursing Homes, Long-Term Care, Mortality, Racial and Ethnic Minorities
Jones KM, Mantey J, Mills JP
COVID-19 preparedness in Michigan nursing homes.
The objectives of this study were to understand preparedness among Michigan nursing homes (NHs) in the midst of an ongoing pandemic and to compare with a 2007 survey on pandemic influenza preparedness in Michigan NHs. Findings showed that, in 2020, NHs were able to make policy and procedure changes within 1 week in response to urgent guidance from CMS and the CDC, which likely helped the facilities prepare for the COVID-19 pandemic. Most NHs had a dedicated staff member responsible for preparedness and were willing to accept patients from hospitals to assist in their surge capacity planning, particularly for non-COVID patients. NHs did express concerns about staffing shortages and PPE supply constraints as cases rose.
AHRQ-funded; HS025451.
Citation: Jones KM, Mantey J, Mills JP .
COVID-19 preparedness in Michigan nursing homes.
J Am Geriatr Soc 2020 May;68(5):937-39. doi: 10.1111/jgs.16490..
Keywords: COVID-19, Elderly, Nursing Homes, Long-Term Care, Emergency Preparedness, Public Health
Hua CL, Thomas KS
Coronavirus Disease 19 (COVID-19) restrictions and loneliness among residents in long-term care communities: data from the National Health and Aging Trends Study.
Loneliness has been associated with increased morbidity and mortality among older adults, especially among residents of long-term care (LTC) facilities. COVID-19 disproportionately contributed to deaths in LTC communities during pandemic, especially before the introduction of vaccines. Restrictive measures were instituted in many LTC facilities to try to slow the spread of COVID-19. This report examines whether these restrictive measures were associated with increased loneliness among older adults in LTC communities during the pandemic. Data from the 2020 National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS) COVID-19 supplement, a representative sample of Medicare beneficiaries (age 65 and older) was used, with 234 residents participating. Surveys completed by proxies were excluded because loneliness measures were not available. Approximately 28.7% of residents in LTC communities were lonelier during the pandemic than pre-pandemic. Residents who could not leave their rooms appeared to show increased loneliness.
AHRQ-funded; HS000011.
Citation: Hua CL, Thomas KS .
Coronavirus Disease 19 (COVID-19) restrictions and loneliness among residents in long-term care communities: data from the National Health and Aging Trends Study.
J Am Med Dir Assoc 2021 Sep;22(9):1860-61. doi: 10.1016/j.jamda.2021.06.029..
Keywords: COVID-19, Elderly, Long-Term Care, Nursing Homes