Abstract
We conducted a questionnaire survey on the status of infection control organizations, measures taken, and personal protective equipment (PPE) worn during various types of care and medical procedures at psychiatric hospitals and nursing homes, geriatric health-care facilities, and special nursing homes in the metropolitan area of Tokyo (Tokyo, Kanagawa, Chiba, and Saitama) during the COVID-19 (latest coronavirus infection) pandemic. The common denominator among all facilities was that infection control committees were established (establishment rate: 86.7%), but there were no infection control specialists (assignment rate: 9.1%). The rate of information sharing with neighboring medical institutions was 50.0% (24/48) in psychiatric hospitals, 59.5% (22/37) in geriatric hospitals, and 42.4% (14/33) in special care facilities.
While the rate of mask usage was 100% at all facilities, the status of wearing other PPE appeared to deviate from standard precautions. Many hospitals and facilities chose PPE that appeared to be an inadequate measure for COVID-19, especially during medical procedures involving aerosols and bathing assistance at nursing homes. In light of these circumstances, it is necessary to incorporate the opinions of infection control experts when preparing an infection control manual tailored to the actual conditions of one's facility and establish a system that allows regional cooperation with neighboring medical institutions. Moreover, cooperation with outside infection control experts is considered an urgent task.
