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. 2023 Sep;24(5):199-205.
doi: 10.1177/17571774231159390. Epub 2023 Feb 23.

Preparedness and response of assisted living facilities toward COVID-19 infection control in Houston, Texas, USA

Abisola M Oladimeji  1 , Abayomi Joseph Afe  1 , Tolulope Olumuyiwa  1 , Charlene Offiong  1 , Bakbergen Turibekov  1 , Oluwayemisi Aikulola  1 , Courtney Persse  1 , Jahana Deadmon  1 , Kristine Hansen  1 , Christine Barron  1 , Vijisha Vijayan  1 , Wanda Mora  1 , Jacob Farris  1 , Krysta Dean  1 , Thomas Johnson  1 , Juan Gonzalez  1 , Rahmatu Mansaray  1 , Kirstin Short  1
Affiliations

Preparedness and response of assisted living facilities toward COVID-19 infection control in Houston, Texas, USA

Abisola M Oladimeji et al. J Infect Prev. 2023 Sep.

Abstract

Background: Long-term care facilities (LTCFs) including assisted living facilities (ALFs) are hubs for high transmission and poor prognosis of COVID-19 among the residents who are more susceptible due to old age and comorbidities.

Aim: Houston Health Department conducted assessments of ALFs within the City of Houston to determine preparedness and existing preventive measures at the facilities.

Methods: Onsite assessments were conducted at ALFs using a modified CDC Infection Control Assessment and Response (ICAR) Tool. Data was obtained on IPC measures, training, testing, vaccination etc. Data was analyzed, frequencies generated, and bivariate associations determined.

Results: A total of 118 facilities were assessed and categorized into small scale 46 (39%), medium scale 47 (40%), and large scale 25 (21%). The facilities had 2431 residents and 2290 staff. Thirty-one (26%) facilities reported an outbreak in 2020, while 14 (12%) had an ongoing outbreak. Twenty-three (97%) large-scale and 12 (26%) small-scale facilities had COVID-19 testing program. Vaccination coverage among residents ranged from 99% in large-scale to 40% in small-scale facilities but was smaller among staff at 748 (45%) in large scale, 71 (36%) in small scale, and 193 (45%) in medium scale. While 24 (96%) large-scale and 34 (77%) of small-scale facilities conducted staff training staff on IPC practices, 22 (92%) of large-scale and 19 (56%) of small-scale facility staff demonstrated capacity (p = 0.01), respectively. Visitor screening was done at 100% of large-scale and 80% of small-scale and the medium-scale ALFs.

Discussion: Assisted living facilities within the city of Houston are at various levels of preparedness and interventions with respect to COVID-19 response.

Keywords: COVID-19; Infection Control Assessment and Response; Long-term care facilities.

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Conflict of interest statement

The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Training versus use of face mask by facility staff.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Availability of COVID-19 testing opportunity at the LTCFs.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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