EVALUATION OF THE MEASURES TAKEN IN NURSING HOMES OF THE ISTANBUL METROPOLITAN MUNICIPALITY DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Abstract

Introduction: This research investigates the effectiveness of measures taken against the COVID-19 pandemic in nursing homes under the responsibility of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Materials and Method: Documents, decisions, and statistical data from the Istanbul Hospice gathered between March 1 and May 31 Results: The average age of the nursing home residents was 70 2 Among them, 29 0% were capable of self-care, while 31 4% were fully dependent on others for care Visitor restrictions, social function cancellations, fever and complaint follow-up, institutional disinfection, the use of personal protective equipment, placarding, new employee shifts, short stays and isolation areas, personnel services, employees and resident screening tests, cargo limitations, and psychologist-sociologist support were implemented in the home to help deal with the pandemic In all, 14 of 930 employees tested positive for the virus when given a COVID-19 PCR test A total of 104 bed-dependent residents received PCR screening tests, and none were positive for the virus There were 23 deaths in total (3 3%) There were no definite COVID-19-related deaths The probable case-related mortality rate was 0 5% Conclusion: Our research shows that the measures taken to address the COVID-19 pandemic in the nursing homes run by the Istanbul Hospice were timely and effective Our data indicates that, if the finance and service structures of the nursing homes are met, and local authorities have control over the administrative organization, there will be no fatal outbreaks associated with COVID-19