SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Home Healthcare Agencies Operations Change After the Initial Covid-19 Pandemic Surge

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This project examined how Colorado home healthcare agencies changed operations during the first three months of the COVID-19 pandemic. The authors surveyed 34 home healthcare agencies, representing a 56% response rate, to understand service disruptions, staffing, patient populations, and personal protective equipment (PPE) challenges.<br /><br />Before COVID-19, home healthcare agencies served millions of patients nationally, but prior research from the H1N1 pandemic showed that preparedness varied widely and smaller agencies often struggled more with resources and surge capacity. The COVID-19 impact on home healthcare had not been well described, motivating this study.<br /><br />Surveyed agencies were located mainly on Colorado’s Front Range, with fewer serving the Central Mountains, Eastern Plains, and Western Slope. Agencies were generally diverse in size and services offered. Common services included RN services, leadership/administration, and therapy services such as PT, OT, and speech-language pathology. Many agencies also served long-term care patients, recent hospital discharges, and patients with confirmed or suspected COVID-19.<br /><br />PPE issues were prominent. Most agencies used surgical masks, N95s, gloves, and face shields, but fewer used gowns or respirators. More than half reported PPE shortages, and an even larger proportion worried about future shortages.<br /><br />Overall, the study shows that home healthcare agencies faced significant early-pandemic operational strain, especially related to PPE access and caring for higher-risk patient populations. The authors note that these results reflect only the initial surge period and that agency experiences likely continued to change as the pandemic evolved.

Asset Subtitle

Nicholas Bianchina

Meta Tag

Author List Allan v. Prochazka, Kristin Jensen, Nicholas Bianchina

Category Research

Concept Home Health Agency

Concept COVID-19 Pandemic

Concept Personal Protective Equipment

Concept Service Modification

Concept Preparedness Challenge

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization University of Colorado School of Medicine

Presenting Author Nicholas Bianchina

Track Transitions of Care

Keywords

Colorado home healthcare

COVID-19 pandemic

agency operations

service disruptions

staffing challenges

patient populations

personal protective equipment

PPE shortages

home healthcare survey

early pandemic impact

Home Health Agency

COVID-19 Pandemic

Personal Protective Equipment

Service Modification

Preparedness Challenge