Priority measures to prevent infections and maintain residents' well-being during COVID-19 outbreaks in nursing homes: consensus among staff and resident representatives determined in an online nominal group technique study

Author(s):
Tol, L.S. van (0000-0002-9334-9214); Smaling, H.J.A. (0000-0002-7836-431X); Janus, S.I.M.; Caljouw, M.A.A. (0000-0002-2550-530X); Achterberg, W.P. (0000-0001-9227-7135)
Published
2023
Publication type
Article / Letter to editor

Abstract

Background: COVID-19 infection prevention measures can negatively impact nursing home resi-dents' well-being. Society has been concerned about the imbalance between infection prevention and residents' well-being, and about nursing home residents' autonomy in COVID-19 policymaking.Objective: This study explores consensus among nursing home staff about which measures they found to be most important in contributing to preventing infections and to maintaining well-being of residents during COVID-19 outbreaks. In addition, this study explores the decision-making processes regarding COVID-19 measures and the involvement of residents or their representatives.Design: Mixed methods based on an online nominal group technique. Setting(s): Dutch nursing homes, June-November 2020.Participants: Managers, policy advisors, elderly care physicians, psychologists, a spiritual coun-selor, nurses, care assistants, and resident representatives (N = 35).Methods: Four panels from the viewpoint of infection prevention, and four panels from the viewpoint of well-being were performed with 3 to 7 participants per panel. Participants indi-vidually selected the measure they found most important, discussed these measures together in an online conversation, and rated the importance and urgency of these measures during COVID-19 outbreaks on a 5-point Likert scale. The measures that were rated as (very) important and (very) urgent by all members of that panel were defined as 'prioritized in consensus'. Panels also dis-cussed the decision-making process regarding COVID-19 measures and the involvement of resi-dents or their representatives. These conversations were transcribed verbatim and thematically coded using an inductive approach.Results: The infection prevention panels prioritized isolation measures; testing measures; testing and isolation combinations; use of personal protective equipment around (suspected) infected

COVID-19Nursing homesInfection preventionWell-beingMeasuresPolicy makingDecision making
Date issued
2023-12-01
Language
English
Publisher
ELSEVIER
Is part of
International Journal of Nursing Studies Advances
hdl
1887/3754062
doi
10.1016/j.ijnsa.2023.100142
URL
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666142X23000267?via%3Dihub