The COVID-19 Pandemic and Responses in Nursing Homes: A Cross-Sectional Study in Four European Countries

Fabrice Mbalayen; Valentine Dutheillet-de-Lamothe; Aude Letty; Solenn Le Bruchec; Manon Pondjikli; Gilles Berrut; Lamia Benatia; Biné Mariam Ndiongue; Marie-Anne Fourrier; Didier Armaingaud; Loic Josseran; Elisabeth Delarocque-Astagneau; Sylvain Gautier

doi:10.3390/ijerph192215290

The COVID-19 Pandemic and Responses in Nursing Homes: A Cross-Sectional Study in Four European Countries

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Nov 19;19(22):15290. doi: 10.3390/ijerph192215290.

Authors

Fabrice Mbalayen^{1

2}, Valentine Dutheillet-de-Lamothe³, Aude Letty⁴, Solenn Le Bruchec³, Manon Pondjikli³, Gilles Berrut^{3

4

5}, Lamia Benatia⁴, Biné Mariam Ndiongue⁴, Marie-Anne Fourrier⁴, Didier Armaingaud^{4

6}, Loic Josseran^{1

2

7}, Elisabeth Delarocque-Astagneau^{1

2

7}, Sylvain Gautier^{1

2

7}

Affiliations

¹ UFR Simone Veil-Santé, Université Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, 78180 Montigny-le-Bretonneux, France.
² Département Hospitalier d'Épidémiologie et de Santé Publique, Hôpital Raymond-Poincaré, Groupe Hospitalier Universitaire Université Paris-Saclay, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, 92380 Garches, France.
³ Gérontopôle Autonomie et Longévité des Pays de la Loire, 44000 Nantes, France.
⁴ Fondation Korian pour le Bien-Vieillir, 75000 Paris, France.
⁵ Pôle Hospitalo-Universitaire de Gérontologie Clinique, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nantes, 44000 Nantes, France.
⁶ Direction Médical Éthique et Qualité, Groupe Korian, 75000 Paris, France.
⁷ Centre de Recherche en Épidémiologie et Santé des Populations, UMR 1018, Université de Versailles-Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, Université Paris-Saclay, 75180 Montigny-Le-Bretonneux, France.

Abstract

Background: Studies comparing how the European nursing homes (NHs) handled the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic remain scarce.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted during the first wave in a private NHs network in Belgium, France, Germany and Italy. Mortality rates were estimated, and prevention and control measures were described by country. Data from the Oxford governmental response tracker project were used to elaborate a "modified stringency index" measuring the magnitude of the COVID-19 global response.

Results: Of the 580 NHs surveyed, 383 responded to the online questionnaire. The COVID-19 mortality rate was similar in France (3.9 deaths per 100 residents) and Belgium (4.5). It was almost four times higher in Italy (11.9) and particularly low in Germany (0.3). Prevention and control measures were diversely implemented: residents' sectorization was mainly carried out in France and Italy (~90% versus ~30% in Germany and Belgium). The "modified stringency index" followed roughly the same pattern in each country.

Conclusion: This study, conducted in a European network of NHs, showed differences in mortality rate which could be explained by the characteristics of the residents, the magnitude of the first wave and the prevention and control measures implemented. These results may inform future European preparedness plans.

Keywords: COVID-19; elderly; first wave; mortality; nursing home.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

COVID-19* / epidemiology
Cross-Sectional Studies
Europe / epidemiology
Humans
Nursing Homes
Pandemics

Grants and funding

This research was funded by Korian Foundation for Ageing Well, as part of a collaboration contract between the company and the affiliated University of the researchers, the University of Versailles-Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (78180, Montigny-le-Bretonneux). No funding number available.