Management of COVID-19 in a nursing home: the role of a mobile multidisciplinary medicine team.

Abstract

Abstract Background: Long-term residential care facilities and nursing homes are known to be particularly vulnerable to viral respiratory diseases and have expressed the need for collaboration to help manage outbreaks when they occur. Method: In April 2020, Tours University Hospital created a mobile multidisciplinary medicine team to help local nursing homes deal with outbreaks of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The team included a geriatrician, infectious diseases experts, and palliative care specialists. Results: Here, we provide initial feedback on the mobile support team’s first intervention. The nursing home staff’s main requests were collaborative working, consensus decision-making, and the dissemination of information on disease management.Conclusion: Three lessons emerged from this collaboration: (i) break the nursing home’s isolation, (ii) limit transmission through the use of appropriate hygiene measures, broad screening, and the isolation of sick residents and sick employees, and (iii) provide sufficient human resources.