(Snippets from the frontline)
COVID-19: Standardizing care at nursing homes and cooling the “hotspot”
I see patients in nursing homes once a month. Most elderly residents are relegated to these facilities because debilitating health problems prevent them from living at home. Around the country, they have become “hotspots” of infection.
County Public Health maintain real-time statistics accessible for online viewing. I recently visited two facilities, both at the extreme ends of the totem pole.
The infection and mortality rates of one was close to the highest in the county. The other had zero. Why?
Before the pandemic, I felt both gave equally adequate care. Could it be bad luck, or unrecognized contributing factors not dissected out by Public Health?
Already I recognize nursing home differences testing doctors, nurses, workers and residents. Plus, I noticed a lack of PPEs including masks and gloves especially for residents protecting against cross-exchange of infection. Other differences are the type of disinfectants, hand sanitizers, environmental cleansing agents, and even laundry detergent. Has anyone teased out the most beneficial brands?
Standardizing care through timely testing, having available appropriate PPEs, and utilizing effective cleaning agents might narrow the statistical differences.
This potentially could lower the infection and mortality rate, and cool down this “hotspot.”
Gene Uzawa Dorio, M.D.
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