COVID-19 Collaborative Model for an Academic Hospital and Long-Term Care Facilities

Area of Science:

• Geriatrics
• Public Health
• Healthcare Management

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted post-acute and long-term care (PA/LTC) facilities.
• Geriatricians in PA/LTC settings and academic medical centers identified a need for enhanced collaboration.
• Existing care models were insufficient to address the pandemic's challenges in PA/LTC.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish a collaborative program between academic medical centers and PA/LTC facilities.
• To support optimal care for residents in PA/LTC facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• To create a sustainable model for inter-institutional cooperation in geriatric care.

Main Methods:

• Development of the Geriatric Engagement and Resource Integration in Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Facilities (GERI-PaL) program.
• Implementation of five core components: Project ECHO, nursing liaisons, infection advisory consultation, telemedicine, and remote social connections.
• Formation of an interprofessional team comprising physicians, nursing, emergency response, and public health experts.

Main Results:

• The GERI-PaL program demonstrated a positive reception from local PA/LTC facilities.
• The interprofessional team's diverse expertise facilitated the creation of a novel collaboration model.
• The program successfully integrated academic resources with PA/LTC needs.

Conclusions:

• The GERI-PaL program offers a new model for academic medical centers to partner with PA/LTC facilities.
• Interprofessional collaboration is crucial for enhancing resident care in PA/LTC settings during health crises.
• The program's components effectively addressed critical needs in PA/LTC during the pandemic.