COVID-19 Preparedness and Perceived Safety in Nursing Homes in Southern Portugal: A Cross-Sectional Survey-Based Study in the Initial Phases of the Pandemic

Óscar Brito Fernandes, Pedro Lobo Julião, Niek Klazinga, Dionne Kringos and Nuno Marques
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Óscar Brito Fernandes: Department of Health Economics, Corvinus University of Budapest, Fővám tér 8, H-1093 Budapest, Hungary
Pedro Lobo Julião: Algarve Biomedical Center, Campus Gambelas, University of Algarve, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal
Niek Klazinga: Department of Public and Occupational Health, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Dionne Kringos: Department of Public and Occupational Health, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Nuno Marques: Algarve Biomedical Center, Campus Gambelas, University of Algarve, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 15, 1-15

Abstract: (1) Background: Nursing homes’ preparedness in managing a public health emergency has been poor, with effects on safety culture. The objective of this study was to assess nursing homes’ COVID-19 preparedness in southern Portugal, including staff’s work experiences during the pandemic. (2) Methods: We used a COVID-19 preparedness checklist to be completed by management teams, followed by follow-up calls to nursing homes. Thereafter, a survey of staff was applied. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, exploratory factor analysis, and thematic analysis of open-end questions. (3) Results: In total, 71% (138/195) of eligible nursing homes returned the preparedness checklist. We conducted 83 follow-up calls and received 720 replies to the staff survey. On average, 25% of nursing homes did not have an adequate decision-making structure to respond to the pandemic. Outbreak capacity and training were areas for improvement among nursing homes’ contingency plans. We identified teamwork as an area of strength for safety culture, whereas compliance with procedures and nonpunitive response to mistakes need improvement. (4) Conclusions: To strengthen how nursing homes cope with upcoming phases of the COVID-19 pandemic or future public health emergencies, nursing homes’ preparedness and safety culture should be fostered and closely monitored.

Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; care home; long-term care; social care; public health emergency; preparedness; contingency plan; safety culture; workforce; survey (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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