Skip to main content
GSA 2023 Main banner
Icon Legend
This session is not in your schedule.
This session is in your schedule. Click again to remove it.
Back
Symposium

Behavioral and Social Sciences

Building Bridges and Catalyzing Research for Evidence-Based Infection Control: Project ECHO for Nursing Homes

Sunday, November 12, 2023
10:00 AM – 11:30 AM ET
Location: Room 111

Nursing homes were ill-equipped for the pandemic; though facilities are required to have infection control staff, only 3% have taken a basic infection control course. Significant research has focused on infection control in the acute care setting; however, little is known about the implementation of infection control practices in long-term care communities. In this symposium, we will describe findings from the Project ECHO for Nursing Homes- a national, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) funded study. First, Dr. Kraschnewski will present over all study findings from the stratified, cluster randomized controlled trial of 136 nursing homes that participated in up to 33 weeks of best-practice training to improve COVID-19 infection control practices. Next, Dr. Calo will present on implementation outcomes at 6-months including readiness for change and the implementation climate in the NH. Next, Ms. Heilbrunn will discuss the impacts of implementing evidence-based infection control practices through COVID-19 on NH residents’ well-being. Finally, Dr. Behrens will describe NH leadership perspectives (n=14) on preparing and maintaining care quality during times of diminishing resources. Data presented in this symposium can guide NHs in strategies to implement evidence-based infection control in their homes and informs researchers who are looking to implement similar implementation studies in the NH setting.

Learning Objectives:

  • discuss barriers and facilitators to implementing evidence-based infection control guidelines using Project ECHO (Extension for Community health Outcomes) as an implementation strategy in nursing homes.
  • will be able to identify unintended consequences for residents when implementing infection control guidelines in nursing homes
  • to describe nursing home leadership perspectives on preparing and maintaining quality care during times of diminishing resources as experienced through the COVID-19 pandemic.

Presentations:

  • 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM ET
    From Crisis to Control Through COVID-19: Nursing Home Leadership Perspectives on Delivering Quality Care

    Individual Symposium Abstract First Author: Liza Behrens, PhD,RN (she/her/hers) – Pennsylvania State University

  • 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM ET
    Well-Being in Nursing Home Residents Through the COVID-19 Pandemic

    Individual Symposium Abstract First Author: Emily S. Heilbrunn, MPH (she/her/hers) – Penn State College of Medicine

  • 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM ET
    Leveraging Project ECHO for Evidence-Based Infection Control in Nursing Homes: A Randomized Controlled Trial

    Individual Symposium Abstract First Author: Jennifer Kraschnewski, MD, MPH (she/her/hers) – Penn State College of Medicine

  • 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM ET
    Assessing the Implementation of COVID-19 Infection Control Best Practices in Nursing Homes

    Individual Symposium Abstract First Author: Emily S. Heilbrunn, MPH (she/her/hers) – Penn State College of Medicine