Determinants of excess mortality rates in nursing homes

High mortality rates in nursing homes are an important topic in both political and social discussions during the COVID-19 pandemic. This project investigates the role of organizational characteristics of nursing homes (such as staffing, quality and size) in explaining excess mortality during the pandemic. For this we use data from all nursing home residents in the Netherlands, linked to information about the nursing homes. In addition, we investigate whether organizational characteristics have contributed to (possible) income-related inequality in excess mortality among nursing home residents. Finally, we highlight the extent to which excess mortality in nursing homes can be explained by the excess deaths directly related to COVID-19 infections, or to the indirect consequences of the pandemic, such as absenteeism. Our results provide insight into how excess mortality, and inequality thereof, can potentially be reduced during outbreaks of infectious diseases.