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Engineering Controls for long term care facilities to prevent and manage infectious diseases such as COVID-19
Abstract
Engineering Controls for long term care facilities to prevent and manage infectious diseases such as COVID-19
... Engineering Controls are most effective because they are built into the facility infrastructure and do not rely primarily on individuals to implement them correctly. This author has developed a hierarchy of controls depicted in the Engineering Controls Pyramid (Figure 2: Benbow, 2020) which is a useful frame to sort and organize evidencebased research for this discussion. At this point the actual ranking of the six elements of the pyramid is based on the authors experience, judgement, literature review and a survey of LTC homes (Benbow, 2020, in press). ...
... These research findings will be of assistance to Government funding and guideline development, LTC facility owners, Boards, developers, architects, engineers, designers and development consultants. (Benbow, 2020) Method Several Literature Review articles were analyzed for specific Built Environment references. Some studies were found related to room occupancy, individual tenancy, congregate living, crowding and facility density as well as some environmental concerns related to ventilation and sanitation (Dykgraaf, Konetzka). ...
... A Dutch version used a similar design for temporary buildings initially used as small flex-hotels set up for concerts. Canadian facilities have used modified shipping containers to create two distinct spaces separated by a plexiglass screen (Benbow, 2020). ...
Purpose: The purpose of this article is to review available literature for evidence-based
impact of the Built Environment upon the prevention and management of COVID-19 with a
view to emphasizing lessons learned for future infection control of pandemics.
Background: This is urgently needed given the devastation brought upon Long-Term Care
residents world-wide. Long-term care (LTC) facilities face a battle to protect their residents.
Previous studies of Infection Control design issues have focused generally on Fomites: that is,
contaminated objects and surfaces. As COVID-19 has been shown to be largely spread
through the air this article will broaden the focus to include Engineering Controls that effect
this type of transmission.
Method: A literature search was conducted using Keywords such as Long-Term Care
Facilities, Built Environment, COVID-19, Infection Control, Nursing Homes.
Results: Results were sorted using an Engineering Controls Pyramid developed by the
Author to stratify approaches to LTC infrastructure. Basically, six elements were supported:
Ventilation, Spatial Separation, Physical Barriers, Hand Hygiene stations, Resident Room
Zones, and Private Rooms.
Implications: Conclusions were that the Built Environment has a major impact on Infection
Control that can be deleterious or beneficial. Substantial changes need to be made to protect
the very vulnerable LTC population from future pandemics and infectious diseases.
... In the current environment, nurses are called to advocate for adequate personal protective equipment, standard work practices to keep residents and staff safe, and engineering controls to minimize the threats of infection. [14] Many LTC facilities usually have two residents per room and often share a bathroom with two rooms. Private rooms with ensuite bathrooms are recommended to break the chain of infection. ...
... A private bathroom is an engineering measure to reduce transmission of infection in LTC. [14,15] Currently in the USA, 86.7% of residents are COVID-19 vaccinated and 75.1% of staff are vaccinated. [2] The nursing staff are frequently vectors for the spread of infection. ...
The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on long term care (LTC) have been published in the literature and experienced by residents, their support persons and nursing staff. The morbidity and mortality, as well as the threats of isolation and psychosocial distress continue. Both LTC residents and staff experience physiological and psychological impacts. Nurses can use the current threats produced by the pandemic to advocate for alternate models of care and reduced isolation for residents. The pandemic is an opportunity for nursing advocacy in LTC for shared governance and empowerment, involvement in policy development, and oversight in policy implementation. Nurses are presented with the opportunities for advocacy related to resources and reshaping the paradigm of residential care for older adults.
Purpose:
The purpose of this article is to review available literature for evidence-based impact of the built environment upon the prevention and management of COVID-19 with a view to emphasizing lessons learned for future infection control of pandemics.
Background:
This is urgently needed given the devastation brought upon long-term care residents worldwide. Long-term care (LTC) facilities face a battle to protect their residents. Previous studies of infection control design issues have focused generally on Fomites: that is, contaminated objects and surfaces. As COVID-19 has been shown to be largely spread through the air, this article will broaden the focus to include engineering controls that effect this type of transmission.
Method:
A literature search was conducted using key words such as long-term care facilities, built environment, COVID-19, infection control, and nursing homes.
Results:
Results were sorted using an engineering controls pyramid developed by the author to stratify approaches to LTC infrastructure. Basically, six elements were supported: ventilation, spatial separation, physical barriers, hand hygiene stations, resident room zones, and private rooms.
Implications:
Conclusions were that the built environment has a major impact on infection control that can be deleterious or beneficial. Substantial changes need to be made to protect the very vulnerable LTC population from future pandemics and infectious diseases.
ResearchGate has not been able to resolve any references for this publication.