Introduction: Older people and individuals with chronic illnesses living in long-term care facilities are at increased risk of infections due to the care setting, resulting in an increased probability of contracting SARS-CoV-2 and experiencing severe sequelae during the COVID-19 pandemic. To limit viral transmission, facilities adopted different policies according to national and regional prevention strategies, often reducing social contacts and promoting public health measures. We therefore conducted a national survey to investigate the impact of COVID-19 infection in Italian retirement homes for older adults and persons with disabilities (RHOAD).Methods: An online questionnaire investigating facility characteristics and COVID-19 impact between March 2023 and January 2024 was sent via email to Italian RHOAD.Results: Response from 510 RHOAD showed a trend in the percentage of COVID-19-positive individuals similar to that observed in Italy. An increase in cases was recorded in 2020, followed by a gradual decrease in 2021. Specific facility characteristics, such as a larger number of beds (80 or more vs. 0–20, OR 2.97, 95%CI 1.10–8.03), or challenges in transferring (OR 11.79, 95%CI 3.32–41.91) or isolating residents with COVID-19 (OR 4.43, 95%CI 2.13–9.22) or geographical location in the South (OR 0.17 95%CI 0.07–0.39) or Center (OR 0.39 95%CI 0.16–0.93) vs. North, were associated with an increased risk of having at least one COVID-19 case among residents in the multivariable logistic regression analysis. Similarly, facilities reporting at least one COVID-19 case applied national prevention measures related to visitor access less strictly (OR 2.16 95%CI 1.06–4.38) and registered an increase of adverse events (OR 2.49 95%CI 1.17–5.27).Discussion: Our findings highlighted the challenges faced by Italian RHOAD during the pandemic and support the optimization of the RHOAD organization to prevent disease transmission.
A national survey on COVID-19 infection in Italian retirement homes for older adults and persons with disabilities
Tarantino, Ciro
;
2026-01-01
Abstract
Introduction: Older people and individuals with chronic illnesses living in long-term care facilities are at increased risk of infections due to the care setting, resulting in an increased probability of contracting SARS-CoV-2 and experiencing severe sequelae during the COVID-19 pandemic. To limit viral transmission, facilities adopted different policies according to national and regional prevention strategies, often reducing social contacts and promoting public health measures. We therefore conducted a national survey to investigate the impact of COVID-19 infection in Italian retirement homes for older adults and persons with disabilities (RHOAD).Methods: An online questionnaire investigating facility characteristics and COVID-19 impact between March 2023 and January 2024 was sent via email to Italian RHOAD.Results: Response from 510 RHOAD showed a trend in the percentage of COVID-19-positive individuals similar to that observed in Italy. An increase in cases was recorded in 2020, followed by a gradual decrease in 2021. Specific facility characteristics, such as a larger number of beds (80 or more vs. 0–20, OR 2.97, 95%CI 1.10–8.03), or challenges in transferring (OR 11.79, 95%CI 3.32–41.91) or isolating residents with COVID-19 (OR 4.43, 95%CI 2.13–9.22) or geographical location in the South (OR 0.17 95%CI 0.07–0.39) or Center (OR 0.39 95%CI 0.16–0.93) vs. North, were associated with an increased risk of having at least one COVID-19 case among residents in the multivariable logistic regression analysis. Similarly, facilities reporting at least one COVID-19 case applied national prevention measures related to visitor access less strictly (OR 2.16 95%CI 1.06–4.38) and registered an increase of adverse events (OR 2.49 95%CI 1.17–5.27).Discussion: Our findings highlighted the challenges faced by Italian RHOAD during the pandemic and support the optimization of the RHOAD organization to prevent disease transmission.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
