COVID Antiviral Treatments Not Widely Employed in Nursing Homes, According to Recent Study
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Nursing homes across the United States have faced significant challenges in the use of antiviral treatments during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a recent study.
The study, published in JAMA and authored by Brian McGarry, PhD, and collaborators from the University of Rochester Medical Center and Harvard University, examined data from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention National Healthcare Safety Network. The research focused on a 19-month period from May 2021 to December 2022.
The study found that monoclonal antibodies and oral antiviral drugs were not used as much as would be expected given the high-risk nature of nursing home residents. Just 18 percent of COVID cases in nursing homes received an antiviral treatment during the entire study period, and treatment rates only improved to one in four COVID cases after the authorization of oral treatments, which were widely available by the end of 2022.
The low utilization of these treatments was linked to logistical barriers, such as staffing shortages, lack of on-site healthcare providers qualified to deliver infusions, and delays in diagnosis or treatment initiation. These barriers are critical for the efficacy of these treatments, which often require infusion or timely prescription after symptom onset.
Furthermore, the study found that distribution varied by demographics. Facilities with more patients of advanced age, higher rates of underlying health conditions, and greater proportions of racial and ethnic minorities tended to have lower use of monoclonal antibody treatments. This suggests systemic inequities in access to these therapies within long-term care settings.
Financial resources of nursing homes also played a role in access to these treatments. Nursing homes with better funding, larger size, or higher quality ratings were more likely to administer these therapies.
Such disparities highlight broader challenges in equitable COVID-19 therapeutics delivery beyond vaccines, affecting vulnerable populations in nursing homes who are at elevated risk for severe COVID-19 outcomes.
In summary:
| Factor | Impact on Use of Monoclonal Antibodies and Oral Antivirals in Nursing Homes | |---------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Access and Logistics | Low use due to infusion requirements, timely administration, and staffing/infrastructure gaps | | Demographics | Lower use in facilities with older, sicker, and more racial/ethnic minority residents | | Financial Resources | Higher use in better-funded and larger nursing homes with more healthcare capacity |
The researchers found it particularly alarming that almost all nursing home residents meet clinical guidelines to be considered for treatment. For-profit and lower quality facilities were less likely to use antivirals, likely contributing to disparities in COVID hospitalizations and deaths.
During the studied period, there were 763,340 reported COVID cases in 15,092 nursing homes in the US. The study's findings underscore the need for improved access, logistics, and equitable distribution of COVID-19 antiviral treatments in nursing homes to protect some of the most vulnerable populations from severe COVID-19 outcomes.
- Science has played a significant role in the development of antiviral treatments during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Medical-conditions such as chronic diseases, cancer, respiratory conditions, and digestive health are among those that make nursing home residents high-risk.
- Eye-health, hearing, and skin-conditions are other aspects of health and wellness that nursing home residents might face.
- Fitness and exercise, mental-health, nutrition, and cardiovascular-health are essential factors for maintaining the overall health of nursing home residents.
- Autoimmune-disorders, neurological-disorders, and environmental-science are interconnected areas of study that can impact nursing home residents.
- Climate-change and industry have far-reaching effects on the well-being of nursing home residents, especially when it comes to air quality and resource management.
- CBD, a compound found in cannabis plants, has been researched for its potential benefits in managing certain health conditions relevant to nursing home residents.
- Financial resources, including investments and wealth-management, play a crucial role in the quality of care and access to treatments in nursing homes.
- Energy, from renewable sources, can contribute to improved health outcomes in nursing homes by reducing pollution and promoting sustainability.
- Manufacturing processes can impact the environment, which in turn can affect the health of nursing home residents.
- Mental-health care, including counseling and medication, is essential for addressing the emotional needs of nursing home residents.
- Technology, from smartphones to smart-home devices and artificial-intelligence, offers opportunities for improved monitoring and support for nursing home residents.
- Cybersecurity is vital for protecting the personal and financial data of nursing home residents, as well as maintaining the functioning of essential devices.
- Lifestyle factors, such as fashion-and-beauty, food-and-drink, and outdoor-living, can impact the well-being of nursing home residents.
- Home-and-garden, home-improvement, and personal-finance are areas that nursing home residents might still engage in, requiring consideration of their unique needs.
- Recipes and global-cuisines can offer nutritional benefits and cultural enrichment for nursing home residents.
- Banking-and-insurance, and fintech, can provide financial stability and support for nursing home residents.
- Gadgets, from wearables to gardening tools, can aid in the care and well-being of nursing home residents.
- Sustainable-living practices, such as composting and energy conservation, can contribute to a healthier and more comfortable environment in nursing homes.
- Data-and-cloud-computing can support efficient record-keeping and communication within nursing homes, improving care and outcomes.
- Gardening can provide physical and mental benefits for nursing home residents, as well as contribute to a more attractive and nurturing environment.
- Transportation, both public and private, can facilitate access to healthcare and essential services for nursing home residents.
- Interior-design can impact the overall atmosphere and quality of life for nursing home residents.
- Cooking, including baking, can offer opportunities for skill-building, social interaction, and satisfying meals for nursing home residents.
- Business and entrepreneurship can provide opportunities for personal fulfillment and economic engagement for nursing home residents.
- Personal-finance education can empower nursing home residents to make informed decisions about their financial well-being.
- Space-and-astronomy, while not directly related to nursing home care, can offer opportunities for inspiration, learning, and connection for nursing home residents.
