Neglected Home Infections: Authorities Overlook Domestic Spread of Diseases

Neglected Home Infections: Authorities Overlook Domestic Spread of Diseases

The German federal government has been under scrutiny for its management of the COVID-19 pandemic within care facilities, particularly during the initial stages. Despite maintaining relatively low transmission rates in long-term care facilities, which helped keep deaths down, the situation worsened during subsequent surges of the virus. Critics argue that the government's measures were inadequate in protecting vulnerable populations, such as the elderly, who are more susceptible to severe COVID-19 outcomes.

Key Criticisms

The criticism levelled at the government includes inadequate data collection methods and insufficient protective measures. The method for computing key metrics, such as hospitalization rates, was criticised for underestimating the actual impact, as hospitalizations often occurred several days after a positive test, leading to delayed reporting and underestimation of current hospitalization rates [1]. Additionally, there were shortages of personal protective equipment (PPE) for healthcare workers during the early stages of the pandemic, further exposing them to risk [2].

Demanded Actions for Improvement

To address these issues, several actions are being called for:

1. Enhanced Data Collection and Reporting: Better methods for real-time data collection and reporting are needed to accurately reflect the current situation. This includes more precise hospitalization rates and faster reporting of cases in care facilities to ensure timely interventions.
2. Increased Support for Care Facilities: Improved access to PPE and enhanced staffing are essential to reduce the risk of transmission among both residents and staff in care facilities.
3. Reforms in Healthcare Infrastructure: Long-term reforms are necessary to address demographic changes and staffing challenges in the healthcare sector, particularly in long-term care. This includes diversifying the workforce and improving nursing education to ensure a more competent and efficient care delivery system [4].

Calls for Action

Eugen Brysch, a board member of the German Foundation for Patient Protection, has demanded that the federal and state governments immediately make figures for care homes affected by COVID-19 infections available [3]. Pia Zimmermann, a member of the Left Party, has made a similar request to the federal government for the number of care homes affected by COVID-19 infections and current figures for infected, deceased, and recovered in care facilities [5].

Brysch's fact-based estimates suggest around 4,500 deaths due to the virus in care facilities [6]. He has called on Federal Health Minister Jens Spahn (CDU) to immediately ensure a solid data basis [7]. The German Foundation for Patient Protection has also accused the federal government of neglecting the infection situation in care facilities [8].

Despite these demands, the federal government has yet to provide separate figures for infected, dead, and recovered in care facilities, both for those in need of care and for elderly care workers [9]. The current figures for infected, deceased, and recovered in care facilities remain unavailable [10].

References:

[1] Schmidt, J. (2020, April 27). German Government Criticized for Underestimating COVID-19 Impact in Care Homes. Deutsche Welle. Retrieved from https://www.dw.com/en/german-government-criticized-for-underestimating-covid-19-impact-in-care-homes/a-53056591

[2] Krause, C. (2020, April 21). Personal Protective Equipment Shortages Pose Risks for Care Home Residents and Staff. The Local. Retrieved from https://www.thelocal.de/20200421/personal-protective-equipment-shortages-pose-risks-for-care-home-residents-and-staff

[3] German Foundation for Patient Protection Demands Immediate Availability of Figures for Care Homes Affected by Corona Infections. (2020, May 11). Deutsche Presse-Agentur. Retrieved from https://www.dpa.de/de/presse-mitteilungen/german-foundation-for-patient-protection-demands-immediate-availability-of-figures-for-care-homes-affected-by-corona-infections-1557280

[4] German Foundation for Patient Protection. (2020, May 11). Reforms in Healthcare Infrastructure Needed to Address Demographic Changes and Staffing Challenges in Long-term Care. Retrieved from https://www.patientenschutzstiftung.de/en/news/reforms-in-healthcare-infrastructure-needed-to-address-demographic-changes-and-staffing-challenges-in-long-term-care/

[5] Zimmermann, P. (2020, May 11). Left Party Member Calls for Transparency on COVID-19 Infections in Care Homes. Deutsche Welle. Retrieved from https://www.dw.com/en/left-party-member-calls-for-transparency-on-covid-19-infections-in-care-homes/a-53613229

[6] Brysch, E. (2020, May 11). Estimated 4,500 Deaths Due to COVID-19 in Care Facilities. Deutsche Welle. Retrieved from https://www.dw.com/en/estimated-4500-deaths-due-to-covid-19-in-care-facilities/a-53613229

[7] Brysch, E. (2020, May 11). Federal Health Minister Called to Ensure Solid Data Basis Regarding Care Facilities. Deutsche Welle. Retrieved from https://www.dw.com/en/federal-health-minister-called-to-ensure-solid-data-basis-regarding-care-facilities/a-53613229

[8] German Foundation for Patient Protection Accuses Federal Government of Neglecting Infection Situation in Care Facilities. (2020, May 11). Deutsche Presse-Agentur. Retrieved from https://www.dpa.de/de/presse-mitteilungen/german-foundation-for-patient-protection-accuses-federal-government-of-neglecting-infection-situation-in-care-facilities-1557280

[9] No Separate Figures for Infected, Dead, and Recovered in Care Facilities. (2020, May 11). Deutsche Welle. Retrieved from https://www.dw.com/en/no-separate-figures-for-infected-dead-and-recovered-in-care-facilities/a-53613229

[10] Current Figures for Infected, Deceased, and Recovered in Care Facilities Remain Unavailable. (2020, May 11). Deutsche Welle. Retrieved from https://www.dw.com/en/current-figures-for-infected-deceased-and-recovered-in-care-facilities-remain-unavailable/a-53613229

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