Your browser doesn't support javascript.
COVID-19 in Long-Term Care: The Built Environment Impact on Infection Control.
Benbow, William Bill.
  • Benbow WB; Design Consultant, Self-Employed, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.
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.
Subject(s)
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

Similar

MEDLINE

...
LILACS

LIS


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