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Best Practices that show evidence of effectiveness in improving public health outcomes when implemented in multiple real-life settings, as indicated by achievement of aims consistent with the objectives of the activities.
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White Paper/Brief
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is encouraging higher vaccination rates at nursing homes. Vaccinations are required to be offered at nursing homes, yet the overall vaccination rate is below 50%. The article provides recommendations for ways nursing homes can increase vaccinations by education, communication with residents and their families, and creating action plans for individual residents. It stresses the importance of keeping treatment medications at nursing facilities.
Promising Practices that show evidence of effectiveness in improving public health outcomes in a specific real-life setting, as indicated by achievement of aims consistent with the objectives of the activities, and are suitable for adaptation by other communities.
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Peer Review Study
Challenges related to workforce capacity have existed throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. These shortages are especially acute and problematic for settings with high disease burdens such as nursing facilities. Strategies for expanding public health capacity within nursing homes and more broadly include increased training and retention of experienced staff.
Best Practices that show evidence of effectiveness in improving public health outcomes when implemented in multiple real-life settings, as indicated by achievement of aims consistent with the objectives of the activities.
RELEASE DATE:
Summary Report/Recommendations, White Paper/Brief
Document presents practical strategies for caring for persons living with dementia during emergencies such as the Covid-19 pandemic. This includes (but is not limited to) giving reminders around habits to prevent illness, ensuring person-centered care, and continuing connections with family and friends.
Promising Practices that show evidence of effectiveness in improving public health outcomes in a specific real-life setting, as indicated by achievement of aims consistent with the objectives of the activities, and are suitable for adaptation by other communities.
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Evaluation Report, Peer Review Study
The article evaluates the connection between health care workers’ unions and Covid-19 mortality rates in nursing homes. Using regression analysis, the presence of a union were associated with lower Covid-19 mortality rates (30% lower) and infection rates (42% lower) among nursing home residents. Nursing homes with unions saw increased access to N95 respirators and eye shields as well. These results ultimately show that health care worker unionization may better ensure access to appropriate PPE and infection control policies that will protect nursing home residents.
Emerging Practices that show potential to achieve desirable public health outcomes in a specific real-life setting and produce early results that are consistent with the objectives of the activities and thus indicate effectiveness.
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Peer Review Study
This study looks at a COVID-19 outbreak among a multi-residential home for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Arizona to determine how COVID-19 was spread. Epidemiologic and genomic evidence show that spread likely occurred from asymptomatically infected staff. This study demonstrates the need for public health measures and rapid genomic analysis to shape policies that protect these vulnerable populations.
Emerging Practices that show potential to achieve desirable public health outcomes in a specific real-life setting and produce early results that are consistent with the objectives of the activities and thus indicate effectiveness.
RELEASE DATE:
Peer Review Study
This article discusses the use of wastewater surveillance to indicate new levels of COVID-19 or other infection in congregate housing settings. The study sampled wastewater from a hospital and a wastewater treatment plant to detect levels of COVID-19 in the individuals residing in the hospital. The results were able to indicate levels of COVID-19 in the wastewater, but were unable to distinguish between new infection levels and residual viral shed from previously infected patients. This study shows the potential of wastewater management, and calls for the increased refinement of the process to more accurately monitor viral spread in vulnerable living situations.
Promising Practices that show evidence of effectiveness in improving public health outcomes in a specific real-life setting, as indicated by achievement of aims consistent with the objectives of the activities, and are suitable for adaptation by other communities.
RELEASE DATE:
Peer Review Study
This study uses electronic medical records to categorize ethnic differences in clinical presentation and outcomes from COVID-19 among older adults. The data showed no difference in outcomes, hospitalizations, or death between older Hispanic adults and non-Hispanic patients with COVID-19.
Promising Practices that show evidence of effectiveness in improving public health outcomes in a specific real-life setting, as indicated by achievement of aims consistent with the objectives of the activities, and are suitable for adaptation by other communities.
RELEASE DATE:
Peer Review Study
This study examined telemedicine utilization patterns for one healthcare system during the COVID-19 pandemic to determine if environmental, racial or ethnic, or other social determinants of health impact an individual’s access and usage of telemedicine. Results showed that older age, rural status, and lower socioeconomic status, as well as Asian, Black, and Hispanic ethnicities are most likely to be associated with a lower telemedicine use. Efforts toward digital literary outreach and distribution of telemedicine infrastructure are needed.
Emerging Practices that show potential to achieve desirable public health outcomes in a specific real-life setting and produce early results that are consistent with the objectives of the activities and thus indicate effectiveness.
RELEASE DATE:
Peer Review Study
This study used data from Mass General Brigham in Boston, Mass., to identify the drivers of differences in use of telemedicine and telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results found that Hispanic adults older than 65 with limited English proficiency were more likely to experience a digital divide in health care.
Best Practices that show evidence of effectiveness in improving public health outcomes when implemented in multiple real-life settings, as indicated by achievement of aims consistent with the objectives of the activities.
RELEASE DATE:
Peer Review Study
The Cuyahoga County Board of Health partnered with congregate living facilities to try to prevent and mitigate Covid outbreaks. The Board partnered with community partners, facility staff, state health officials, and other health care professionals and organized structured team meetings to identify and respond to cases in congregate living facilities. This partnership worked together to plan testing, contract tracing, and isolation/quarantine protocols. The department also hired a resource manager who coordinated all response efforts. For high need congregate living facilities, the resource manager/partners assisted with PPE needs.