Covid-19 and Influenza: appropriate measures to prevent and control outbreaks in nursing homes

Introduction and objective Since the spring of 2020, nursing homes have been hit hard by COVID-19 in several areas. Various preventive measures have been implemented to prevent contamination and spread of COVID-19. In addition to advantages in the field of infection prevention, these measures also have disadvantages in terms of perceived quality of life for residents and loved ones, and perceived quality of work for healthcare professionals. The current project aims to provide insight into what an appropriate range of measures is to prevent or combat outbreaks of COVID-19 and Influenza in nursing homes. 'Appropriate' means: both useful to prevent/control an outbreak and proportionate with regard to quality of life and work. Plan of approach The project consists of three pillars: This pillar uses a survey among at least 30 nursing home organizations to map out how they have prepared for outbreaks of COVID-19 and Influenza in the autumn and winter of 2022/2023; This pillar monitors nursing home organizations where an outbreak of COVID-19 or Influenza occurs. It is examined to what extent it is possible to successfully implement the previously developed strategy for infection prevention and control, and what the promoting and hindering factors are; In the final pillar, focus groups are held with residents, relatives and healthcare professionals to gain insight into the support for the various infection prevention and control measures in different outbreak scenarios. The results of the three pillars are combined and processed into advice for appropriate measures to prevent and control outbreaks of COVID-19 and Influenza in nursing homes.