Study Links Common Respiratory Viruses to Serious Illness in Nursing Homes
Study Links Common Respiratory Viruses to Serious Illness in Nursing Homes
A new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Directors Association found that influenza A, human metapneumovirus (hMPV), and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are significant drivers of acute respiratory infections among nursing home residents.
Researchers tracked 3,195 residents across nursing homes in the Netherlands. hMPV alone was linked to a four-fold increase in bed hours, a direct hit to both resident well-being and facility capacity.
Study authors are calling for routine viral testing, not just seasonal flu screening, to strengthen infection control protocols in Long-Term Care and Skilled Nursing Facility settings.
For administrators, that means staff need to be trained to carry out broader testing consistently, not just have a policy sitting in a binder.
"Policies in this setting could be strengthened by tailoring interventions to the clinical impact of specific viruses." — Study authors, Journal of the American Medical Directors Association
Respiratory illness season is already here. Staying informed on what is actually driving it is the first step toward staying prepared.
Pair this article with the Pandemic Influenza and Cough Etiquette Tip Sheets in the CHUG Tip Sheet library for practical, on-the-floor guidance your staff can use today.
If you’ve already purchased the tip sheets and would like access to the updated tip sheets, kindly reply to this email, or reach out at info@chugteam.org, and we would be happy to send them your way at no cost.
The key to successfully mitigating any emergency is preparedness. CHUG members have access to a comprehensive suite of educational workshops that utilize real-life case studies to teach effective responses to storms and emergency situations. This training can be lifesaving. Not a member? Become a member today. Already a member? Visit the Member Portal for a full calendar of events and member-exclusive content.