A Typology of COVID-19 Data Gaps and Noise From Long-Term Care Facilities: Approximating the True Numbers.
Gerontol Geriatr Med
; 8: 23337214221079176, 2022.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1779577
ABSTRACT
Although there is agreement that COVID-19 has had devastating impacts in long-term care facilities (LTCFs), estimates of cases and deaths have varied widely with little attention to the causes of this variation. We developed a typology of data vulnerabilities and a strategy for approximating the true total of COVID-19 cases and deaths in LTCFs. Based on iterative qualitative consensus, we categorized LTCF reporting vulnerabilities and their potential impacts on accuracy. Concurrently, we compiled one dataset based on LTCF self-reports and one based on confirmatory matching with California's COVID-19 databases, including death certificates. Through March 2021, Alameda County LTCFs reported 6663 COVID-19 cases and 481 deaths. In contrast, our confirmatory matching file includes 5010 cases and 594 deaths, corresponding to 25% fewer cases but 23% more deaths. We argue that the higher (self-report) case total approximates the lower bound of true COVID-19 cases, and the higher (confirmed match) death total approximates the lower bound of true COVID-19 deaths, both of which are higher than state and federal counts. LTCFs other than nursing facilities accounted for 35% of cases and 29% of deaths. Improving the accuracy of COVID-19 figures, particularly across types of LTCFs, would better inform interventions for these vulnerable populations.
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Type of study:
Qualitative research
Topics:
Long Covid
Language:
English
Journal:
Gerontol Geriatr Med
Year:
2022
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
23337214221079176
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