The state of infection prevention and control at home health agencies in the United States prior to COVID-19: A cross-sectional study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Home health care is a rapidly growing healthcare sector worldwide. Home health professionals face unique challenges related to preventing and controlling infections, which are likely to amplify during an infectious disease outbreak (e.g. SARS-CoV-2). Little is known about the current state of infection prevention and control-related policies and outbreak preparedness at U.S. home health agencies.

Objectives

In this study, we conducted a national survey to assess infection prevention and control-related policies, infrastructure, and procedures prior to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Setting/participants

Using a stratified random sample of 1506 U.S. home health agencies, we conducted a 61-item survey (paper and online) from Nove

SUBMITTER: Shang J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7940586 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature