The COVID-19 Pandemic and Responses in Nursing Homes: A Cross-Sectional Study in Four European Countries

Studies comparing how the European nursing homes (NHs) handled the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic remain scarce. A cross-sectional study was conducted during the first wave in a private NHs network in Belgium, France, Germany and Italy. Mortality rates were estimated, and prevention and control...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of environmental research and public health 2022-11, Vol.19 (22), p.15290
Main Authors: Mbalayen, Fabrice, Dutheillet-de-Lamothe, Valentine, Letty, Aude, Le Bruchec, Solenn, Pondjikli, Manon, Berrut, Gilles, Benatia, Lamia, Ndiongue, Biné Mariam, Fourrier, Marie-Anne, Armaingaud, Didier, Josseran, Loic, Delarocque-Astagneau, Elisabeth, Gautier, Sylvain
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Coronaviruses
COVID-19
COVID-19 - epidemiology
Cross-Sectional Studies
Disease transmission
Europe - epidemiology
Hospitalization
Humans
Life Sciences
Mortality
Nursing Homes
Older people
Pandemics
Prevention
Questionnaires
Santé publique et épidémiologie
Variables
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Studies comparing how the European nursing homes (NHs) handled the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic remain scarce. A cross-sectional study was conducted during the first wave in a private NHs network in Belgium, France, Germany and Italy. Mortality rates were estimated, and prevention and control measures were described by country. Data from the Oxford governmental response tracker project were used to elaborate a "modified stringency index" measuring the magnitude of the COVID-19 global response. Of the 580 NHs surveyed, 383 responded to the online questionnaire. The COVID-19 mortality rate was similar in France (3.9 deaths per 100 residents) and Belgium (4.5). It was almost four times higher in Italy (11.9) and particularly low in Germany (0.3). Prevention and control measures were diversely implemented: residents' sectorization was mainly carried out in France and Italy (~90% versus ~30% in Germany and Belgium). The "modified stringency index" followed roughly the same pattern in each country. This study, conducted in a European network of NHs, showed differences in mortality rate which could be explained by the characteristics of the residents, the magnitude of the first wave and the prevention and control measures implemented. These results may inform future European preparedness plans.
ISSN:1660-4601
1661-7827
1660-4601
DOI:10.3390/ijerph192215290