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Social Distancing and Isolation Strategies to Prevent and Control the Transmission of COVID-19 and Other Infectious Diseases in Care Homes for Older People: An International Review

Author

Listed:
  • Sarah Sims

    (The Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery and Palliative Care, King’s College London, London SE1 8WA, UK)

  • Ruth Harris

    (The Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery and Palliative Care, King’s College London, London SE1 8WA, UK)

  • Shereen Hussein

    (London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK)

  • Anne Marie Rafferty

    (The Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery and Palliative Care, King’s College London, London SE1 8WA, UK)

  • Amit Desai

    (The Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery and Palliative Care, King’s College London, London SE1 8WA, UK)

  • Sinead Palmer

    (Personal Social Services Research Unit, University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NZ, UK)

  • Sally Brearley

    (School of Nursing, Kingston University and St George’s University London, London SW17 0RE, UK)

  • Richard Adams

    (Sears Healthcare Ltd., Newbury RG14 1JN, UK)

  • Lindsay Rees

    (Encore Care Homes Management Ltd., Bournemouth BH8 9RL, UK)

  • Joanne M. Fitzpatrick

    (The Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery and Palliative Care, King’s College London, London SE1 8WA, UK)

Abstract

Older people living in care homes are at high risk of poor health outcomes and mortality if they contract COVID-19 or other infectious diseases. Measures used to protect residents include social distancing and isolation, although implementation is challenging. This review aimed to assess the social distancing and isolation strategies used by care homes to prevent and control the transmission of COVID-19 and other infectious diseases. Seven electronic databases were searched: Medline, CINAHL, Embase, PsycINFO, HMIC, Social Care Online, and Web of Science Core Collection. Grey literature was searched using MedRxiv, PDQ-Evidence, NICE Evidence Search, LTCCovid19.org and TRIP. Extracted data were synthesised using narrative synthesis and tabulation. 103 papers were included (10 empirical studies, seven literature reviews, and 86 policy documents). Strategies used to prevent and control the transmission of COVID-19 and other infectious diseases included social distancing and isolation of residents and staff, zoning and cohorting of residents, restriction of resident movement/activities, restriction of visitors and restriction of staff working patterns. This review demonstrates a lack of empirical evidence and the limited nature of policy documentation around social distancing and isolation measures in care homes. Evaluative research on these interventions is needed urgently, focusing on the well-being of all residents, particularly those with hearing, vision or cognitive impairments.

Suggested Citation

  • Sarah Sims & Ruth Harris & Shereen Hussein & Anne Marie Rafferty & Amit Desai & Sinead Palmer & Sally Brearley & Richard Adams & Lindsay Rees & Joanne M. Fitzpatrick, 2022. "Social Distancing and Isolation Strategies to Prevent and Control the Transmission of COVID-19 and Other Infectious Diseases in Care Homes for Older People: An International Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(6), pages 1-28, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:6:p:3450-:d:771265
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Patricia M. Davidson & Sarah L. Szanton, 2020. "Nursing homes and COVID‐19: We can and should do better," Journal of Clinical Nursing, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 29(15-16), pages 2758-2759, August.
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    Cited by:

    1. Eirini-Christina Saloniki & Agnes Turnpenny & Grace Collins & Catherine Marchand & Ann-Marie Towers & Shereen Hussein, 2022. "Abuse and Wellbeing of Long-Term Care Workers in the COVID-19 Era: Evidence from the UK," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(15), pages 1-19, August.
    2. Hunter, P.V. & Ward, H.A. & Puurveen, G., 2023. "Trust as a key measure of quality and safety after the restriction of family contact in Canadian long-term care settings during the COVID-19 pandemic," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 128(C), pages 18-27.
    3. Sallar Salam Murad & Salman Yussof & Rozin Badeel & Wahidah Hashim, 2023. "A Novel Social Distancing Approach for Limiting the Number of Vehicles in Smart Buildings Using LiFi Hybrid-Network," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-30, February.

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