August 2020 Interim EuGMS guidance to prepare European Long-Term Care Facilities for COVID-19

Blain, Hubert; Rolland, Yves; Schols, Jos M. G. A.; Cherubini, Antonio; Miot, St�phanie; O'Neill, Desmond; Martin, Finbarr C.; Gu�rin, Olivier; Gavazzi, Ga�tan; Bousquet, Jean; Petrovic, Mirko; Gordon, Adam L.; Benetos, Athanase

Abstract

Purpose: The European Geriatric Medicine Society (EuGMS) is launching its second interim guidance with the aim to prevent the entrance and spread of COVID-19 into long-term care facilities (LTCFs).

Methods: The EuGMS gathered experts with relevant clinical, research and policy expertise on measures to prevent and to limit COVID-19 outbreaks in LTCFs. The guidance is based on literature review and consensus, and takes into account the specific features of SARS-CoV-2 transmission in LTCFs, needs of residents, their families and staff, and the feasibility of implementation in the care home setting.

Results: Asymptomatic COVID-19 residents and staff members contribute substantially to the dissemination of COVID-19 infection in LTCFs. An infection prevention and controlfocal point should be set up in every LTCF for (i) supervising infection prevention and control measures aimed at keeping COVID-19 out of LTCFs, (ii) RT-PCR testing of residents, staff members, and visitors with COVID-19 symptoms, even atypical, and (iii)isolating subjects either infected or in contact with infected subjects. When a first LCTF resident or staff member is infected, a facility-wide RT-PCR test-retest strategy should be implemented for detecting all SARS-CoV-2 carriers. Testing should continue until no new COVID-19 cases are identified. The isolation of residents should be limited as much as possible and associated with measures aiming at limiting its negative effects on their mental and somatic health status.

Conclusions: Early recognition of symptoms compatible with COVID-19 may help to diagnose COVID-19 residents and staff more promptly. Subsequently, earlier and targeted testing of SARS-CoV-2 symptomatic and asymptomatic LTCF staff and residents will enable the implementation of appropriate infection prevention and control. The negative effects of social isolation on residents should be limited as much as possible.

Citation

Blain, H., Rolland, Y., Schols, J. M. G. A., Cherubini, A., Miot, S., O'Neill, D., Martin, F. C., Guérin, O., Gavazzi, G., Bousquet, J., Petrovic, M., Gordon, A. L., & Benetos, A. (2020). August 2020 Interim EuGMS guidance to prepare European Long-Term Care Facilities for COVID-19. European Geriatric Medicine, 11(6), Article 899-813. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41999-020-00405-z

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Sep 11, 2020
• Online Publication Date: Nov 3, 2020
• Publication Date: 2020-12
• Deposit Date: Sep 18, 2020
• Publicly Available Date: Nov 4, 2021
• Journal: European Geriatric Medicine
• Print ISSN: 1878-7649
• Electronic ISSN: 1878-7657
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 11
• Issue: 6
• Article Number: 899-813
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s41999-020-00405-z
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/4912529
• Publisher URL: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s41999-020-00405-z