The workforce crisis that’s been plaguing the long-term care industry is likely playing a significant role in the increased risk nursing homes face when it comes to the coronavirus.
Public health experts warned Thursday that staffing shortages, infection control practices and residents who frequently visit the hospital — and bring back germs — place nursing homes at an increased risk for the spread of the disease, according to a New York Times report.
“We have to prepare for the inevitability that there are going to be facilities like the one in Washington where you’re going to have the virus and have it move rapidly through nursing homes and assisted living facilities,” David Dosa, M.D., geriatrician and Brown University professor, told the news organization.
Staffing shortages have been a top concern for long-term care providers in recent years. They have denounced legislation aimed at setting minimum staffing requirements for facilities, instead calling on lawmakers to find solutions to address widespread caregiver shortages — like reinstating in-house certified nursing aide training programs.
Experts have called on providers to thoroughly review their infection control policies in order to prevent and reduce their risk of possibly spreading the disease if a diagnosis is made at their facility. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has also released additional guidance on how long-term care providers should respond if COVID-19 is suspected or identified.
