Between a Rock and a Hard Place: COVID-19 Lessons Learned From Providers Rounding at Skilled Nursing Facilities in the Rural Midwest

Adria Whiting; Katie M Pace; Kimberly Edel; Madhan Prabhakaran; Marie L Steffl; Janice Shelton; Julie Pace; April E Poolman; Sheila E Anderson

doi:10.7759/cureus.32157

Between a Rock and a Hard Place: COVID-19 Lessons Learned From Providers Rounding at Skilled Nursing Facilities in the Rural Midwest

Cureus. 2022 Dec 3;14(12):e32157. doi: 10.7759/cureus.32157. eCollection 2022 Dec.

Authors

Adria Whiting¹, Katie M Pace², Kimberly Edel³, Madhan Prabhakaran¹, Marie L Steffl⁴, Janice Shelton², Julie Pace⁴, April E Poolman¹, Sheila E Anderson⁵

Affiliations

¹ Family Medicine, Mayo Clinic Health System, Fairmont, USA.
² Family Medicine, Mayo Clinic Health System, Mankato, USA.
³ Family Medicine, Mayo Clinic Health System, Belle Plaine, USA.
⁴ Family Medicine, Mayo Clinic Health System, St. James, USA.
⁵ Family Medicine, Mayo Clinic Health System, St. Peter, USA.

Abstract

On March 11, 2020, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was classified as a pandemic, setting in motion unprecedented practice changes across the healthcare industry. Never was this more evident than in Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs). SNFs were tested on multiple fronts, requiring innovation and perseverance at levels never before seen. Lessons learned from this setting to better prepare for the next pandemic include: updating and standardizing infection control and prevention policies, ensuring the supply chain keeps up with demand, updating infrastructure, creating a work environment that promotes well-being, and having clear communication plans.

Keywords: covid-19 retro; healthcare hero; healthcare workers; infection control and prevention; mental health; nursing homes; skilled nursing facilities.

Publication types

Editorial