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COVID-19

COVID-19 Pandemic Highlights Importance of Regional Networks in Nursing Home Infection Prevention

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

A study published in the June 2025 issue of the Medical Letter on the CDC & FDA has shed light on the critical role that regional networks play in preventing healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) in nursing homes (NHs) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Researchers from the University of Michigan, in collaboration with hospitals and health departments, implemented a collaborative model to reduce infections among NH residents.

According to the study, NH residents are susceptible to HAIs, and alignment among NHs, hospitals, and health departments is crucial for effective infection prevention efforts. The research team tested a collaborative model that engaged hospitals and NHs to reduce infections among NH residents, recruiting 92 NHs and 15 hospitals over four 12-month cohorts from 2018 to 2022. The intervention focused on HAI prevention, practices to reduce infection transmission, and effective communication among hospitals, NHs, and state health departments.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study demonstrates the importance of regional networks in promoting infection prevention in NHs, even during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • A total of 63 NHs (68%) partnered with 18 hospitals and submitted 2 or more months of outcome data over the course of the study.
  • Forty NHs participated before the COVID-19 pandemic, contributing to 1,364,492 resident-days, 56,258 device-days, and 23 NHs participated during the pandemic, contributing to 566,142 resident-days, 29,568 device-days.
  • The study found a significant reduction in the incidence of urine cultures (incidence rate ratio [IRR], 0.37; P < 0.01) and other HAIs among NH residents who participated in the collaborative model.
  • The research team emphasizes the importance of effective communication and collaboration among hospitals, NHs, and health departments in combating HAIs.
  • Funders for this research included the Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality, National Institute on Aging Mid-Career Mentorship grant, Michigan Institute for Clinical and Health Research, University of Michigan Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Center, Geriatrics Research, Education and Clinical Centers, Veterans Affairs Ann Arbor Healthcare System, and the US Department of Veterans Affairs.

Statistics:

  • 92 nursing homes participated in the study over four 12-month cohorts (2018-2022).
  • 40 nursing homes participated before the COVID-19 pandemic, contributing to 1,364,492 resident-days and 56,258 device-days.
  • 23 nursing homes participated during the COVID-19 pandemic, contributing to 566,142 resident-days and 29,568 device-days.
  • A total of 63 nursing homes (68%) partnered with 18 hospitals and submitted 2 or more months of outcome data.
  • The incidence rate ratio (IRR) for urine cultures was 0.37 (P < 0.01), indicating a significant reduction in HAIs among NH residents who participated in the collaborative model.

Sources:

  • NewsRx. New COVID-19 Findings from University of Michigan Reported (Impact of a Collaboration-focused Intervention To Prevent Healthcare-associated Infections Before and During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic). Medical Letter on the CDC & FDA. June 1, 2025; p 115.
  • Impact of a Collaboration-focused Intervention To Prevent Healthcare-associated Infections Before and During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic. Clinical Infectious Diseases, 2025.

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