COVID-19 in Long-Term Care: The Built Environment Impact on Infection Control.
HERD
; 15(4): 287-298, 2022 10.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1883475
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this article is to review available literature for evidence-based impact of the built environment upon the prevention and management of COVID-19 with a view to emphasizing lessons learned for future infection control of pandemics.BACKGROUND:
This is urgently needed given the devastation brought upon long-term care residents worldwide. Long-term care (LTC) facilities face a battle to protect their residents. Previous studies of infection control design issues have focused generally on Fomites that is, contaminated objects and surfaces. As COVID-19 has been shown to be largely spread through the air, this article will broaden the focus to include engineering controls that effect this type of transmission.METHOD:
A literature search was conducted using key words such as long-term care facilities, built environment, COVID-19, infection control, and nursing homes.RESULTS:
Results were sorted using an engineering controls pyramid developed by the author to stratify approaches to LTC infrastructure. Basically, six elements were supported ventilation, spatial separation, physical barriers, hand hygiene stations, resident room zones, and private rooms. IMPLICATIONS Conclusions were that the built environment has a major impact on infection control that can be deleterious or beneficial. Substantial changes need to be made to protect the very vulnerable LTC population from future pandemics and infectious diseases.Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
COVID-19
Type of study:
Experimental Studies
Topics:
Long Covid
Limits:
Humans
Language:
English
Journal:
HERD
Journal subject:
Health Services Research
/
Health Services
Year:
2022
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
19375867221101897
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