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IntroductionAlong with the Covid-19 pandemic, the social and health systems faced a great challenge, particularly in institutionalized patients. An integrated care emergency response was required, not only for the Covid-19 impact on health outcomes but for the complexity of the pandemic control in long term care facilities (LTCF).Due to a lack of evidence on how to respond to new pandemic disease, we created a multidisciplinary group from a network of public primary care teams (PCT), to set up and unify the implementation of the strategic lines in management of the Covid-19 emergency in LTCF. All decisions were taken under expert’s consensus and they were implemented by a learning-by-doing method, based on protocols, IT solutions expressly implementation, and strategies shared with local health and social authorities.AimThe aim was to set up and unify the implementation of the strategic lines in Covid-19 prevention, diagnostic and clinical management along with all LTCF of our area. We were urged to develop different clinical protocols to deliver patient-centred care tailored to the needs derived from the different stages of the emergency.Targeted population 10,688 residents from 196 LTCF (169 nursing homes and 27 institutions for people with physical and mental disabilities). A network of public and private stakeholders collaborated to implement multilevel strategies supported by the Government of Catalonia.TimelineStarted in March 2020. We defined three phases. First wave: March to June (developing and setting up strategic lines); Off-peak (between waves): June to October (strengthening disease control prevention); Second wave: October until December 2020 (applying all lessons learned along the process). Highlights 64 PCT led the response to guarantee 24 hours seven days a week care. Massive testing to residents and workers was introduced. New IT implemented solutions were: coVIDApp (to improve daily communication with LTCF staff, by sharing information on disease control and patient’s needs) and Covid-19 LTCF intranet business object platform (for clinical and epidemiological indicators follow-up). We developed a necessary basic conditions checklist of measures on LTCF pandemic preparedness for Covid-19 prevention. An improvement in infection control and mortality was detected between phases.Comments on sustainabilityHigh sustainability due to no new structures were created and a pragmatic approach reached. Comments on transferabilityHigh transferability due to the possibility of post-pandemic continuation of this collaborative networking, to build more integrated care in LTCF.Conclusionsa. The more efficient strategy to reduce mortality was infection prevention. b. Using tests regularly for both residents and workers was key to detect all infected but asymptomatic patients. c. Defining risk factors for poor bad epidemiologic disease control at the facility level led to early preventive actions. DiscussionsAll stakeholders assumed a unique strategy with shared objectives. Outbreak prevention, by detecting LTCF risks and avoiding spreading was key. An end-of-life focus emerged as a need, to provide right time right care palliative care to individuals with advanced illness and advanced care plans in this sense. Lessons learnedThis emergency response was an opportunity for re-thinking future integrated care LTCF approaches provided by several stakeholders.

(1) Background: in epidemiological terms, it has been possible to calculate the savings in health resources and the reduction in health effects of COVID vaccines. From the point of view of economic evaluation, some studies have estimated its cost-effectiveness with the vaccination showing highly favorable results, which in some cases is cost-saving; (2) Methods: a cost-benefit analysis of the vaccination campaign in the North Metropolitan Health Region (Catalonia). An epidemiological model based on observational data and before and after comparison is used. The information on the doses used and the resources assigned (conventional hospital beds, ICU, number of tests) has been extracted from administrative data from the largest Primary Care provider in the region (Catalan Institute of Health). A distinction is made between the social perspective and the health system; (3) Results: the costs of vaccination are estimated at 137 million euros (€48.05/dose administered). This figure is significantly lower than the positive impacts of the vaccination campaign, which are estimated at 470 million euros (€164/dose administered). Of these, 18% corresponds to the reduction of ICU discharges, 16% to the reduction in conventional hospital discharges, 5% to the reduction in PCR tests and 1% to the reduction of RAT tests. Monetization of deaths and cases with sequelae avoided account for 53% and 5% of total savings, respectively. The benefit/cost ratio is estimated at 3.4 from a social perspective and 1.41 from a health system perspective. The social benefits of vaccination are estimated at €116.67 per dose of vaccine given (€19.93 from the point of view of the health system); (4) Conclusions: the mass vaccination campaign against COVID is cost-saving. From a social perspective, most of these savings come from the monetization of the reduction in mortality and cases with sequelae, although the intervention is equally widely cost-effective from the point of view of the health system thanks to the reduction in the use of resources. It is concluded that, from an economic perspective, the vaccination campaign has high social returns.

BackgroundSARS-CoV-2 vaccination is the most effective strategy to protect elders living in long-term care facilities (LTCF) against severe COVID-19, but primary vaccine responses are less effective in older adults. Here, we characterized the humoral responses following 3 months after mRNA/BNT162b2 vaccine in institutionalized elders.MethodsPlasma levels of specific SARS-CoV-2 total IgG, IgM and IgA antibodies were measured before and 3 months after vaccination in elders living in LTCF. Neutralization capacity was assessed in a pseudovirus neutralization assay against WH1 (original) and B.1.617.2/Delta variants. A group of younger adults was used as reference group.ResultsThree months after vaccination, uninfected-elders presented reduced specific SARS-CoV-2 IgG levels and significantly lower neutralization capacity against the WH1 and Delta virus compared to vaccinated uninfected younger individuals. In contrast, COVID-19 recovered elders showed significantly higher specific SARS-CoV-2 IgG levels after vaccination than younger counterparts, while showing similar neutralization activity against WH1 virus and increased neutralization capacity against Delta variant. Despite previously infected elders elicit potent cross-reactive immune responses similarly to younger individuals, higher quantities of specific SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies are required to reach the same neutralization levels.ConclusionsWhile hybrid immunity seems to be active in previously infected elders after three months from mRNA/BNT162b2 vaccination, humoral immune responses are diminished in COVID-19 uninfected vaccinated residents living in LTCF. These results suggests that a vaccine booster dose should be prioritized for this particularly vulnerable population.Word summaryWhile previously infected and vaccinated elders living in LTCF had comparable neutralizing antibody levels to younger individuals, vaccinated uninfected-residents showed limited neutralization capacity against both original and delta variants. Hybrid immunity seems to be active in elders and can be relevant to design vaccine boosting campaigns.

Background: Covid-19 pandemic has particularly affected older people living in Long-term Care settings. Methods: We carried out a cross-sectional analysis of a cohort of Long-term care nursing home residents between March first and June thirty, 2020, who were ≥ 65 years old and on whom at last one PCR test was performed. Socio-demographic, comorbidities, and clinical data were recorded. Facility size and community incidence of SARS-CoV-2 were also considered.Results: A total of 8021 participants were included from 168 facilities. Mean age was 86.4 years (SD = 7.4). Women represented 74.1%. SARS-CoV-2 infection was detected in 27.7% of participants, and the overall case fatality rate was 11.3% (24.9% among those with a positive PCR test). Epidemiological factors related to risk of infection were larger facility size (pooled aOR 1.73; P < .001), higher community incidence (pooled aOR 1.67, P = .04), leading to a higher risk than the clinical factor of low level of functional dependence (aOR 1.22, P = 0.03). Epidemiological risk factors associated with mortality were male gender (aOR 1.75; P < .001), age (pooled aOR 1.16; P < .001), and higher community incidence (pooled aOR 1.19, P = < .001). There was evidence of clustering for facility and health area when considering the risk of infection and mortality (P < .001). Conclusions: Our results suggest a complex interplay between structural and individual factors regarding Covid-19 infection and its impact on mortality in nursing-home residents.

Background: The epidemiological situation generated by COVID-19 has highlighted the importance of applying non-pharmacological measures in the management of the epidemic. Mass screening of the asymptomatic general population has been established as a priority strategy by carrying out diagnostic tests to detect possible cases, isolate contacts, cut transmission chains and thus limit the spread of the virus. Objective: To evaluate the economic impact of mass COVID-19 screenings of an asymptomatic population during the first and second wave of the epidemic in Catalonia, Spain. Methodology: Cost-Benefit Analysis based on the estimated total costs of mass screening versus health gains and associated health costs avoided. Results: Excluding the value of monetized health, the Benefit-Cost ratio was estimated at 0.45, a low value that would seem to advise against mass screening policies. However, if monetized health is included, the ratio is close to 1.20, reversing the interpretation. In other words, the monetization of health is the critical element that tips the scales in favour of the desirability of screening. Results show that the interventions with the highest return are those that maximize the percentage of positives detected. Conclusion: Efficient management of resources for the policy of mass screening in asymptomatic populations can generate high social returns. The positivity rate critically determines its desirability. Likewise, precocity in the detection of cases will cut more transmissions in the chain of contagion and increase the economic return of these interventions. Maximizing the value of resources depends on screening strategies being accompanied by contact-tracing and specific in their focus, targeting, for example, high-risk subpopulations with the highest rate of expected positives.

Background The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has caused an unprecedented worldwide public health crisis that requires new management approaches. COVIDApp is a mobile app that was adapted for the management of institutionalized individuals in long-term care facilities. Objective The aim of this paper is to report the implementation of this innovative tool for the management of long-term care facility residents as a high-risk population, specifically for early identification and self-isolation of suspected cases, remote monitoring of mild cases, and real-time monitoring of the progression of the infection. Methods COVIDApp was implemented in 196 care centers in collaboration with 64 primary care teams. The following parameters of COVID-19 were reported daily: signs/symptoms; diagnosis by reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction; absence of symptoms for ≥14 days; total deaths; and number of health care workers isolated with suspected COVID-19. The number of at-risk centers was also described. Results Data were recorded from 10,347 institutionalized individuals and up to 4000 health care workers between April 1 and 30, 2020. A rapid increase in suspected cases was seen until day 6 but decreased during the last two weeks (from 1084 to 282 cases). The number of confirmed cases increased from 419 (day 6) to 1293 (day 22) and remained stable during the last week. Of the 10,347 institutionalized individuals, 5,090 (49,2%) remained asymptomatic for ≥14 days. A total of 854/10,347 deaths (8.3%) were reported; 383 of these deaths (44.8%) were suspected/confirmed cases. The number of isolated health care workers remained high over the 30 days, while the number of suspected cases decreased during the last 2 weeks. The number of high-risk long-term care facilities decreased from 19/196 (9.5%) to 3/196 (1.5%). Conclusions COVIDApp can help clinicians rapidly detect and remotely monitor suspected and confirmed cases of COVID-19 among institutionalized individuals, thus limiting the risk of spreading the virus. The platform shows the progression of infection in real time and can aid in designing new monitoring strategies.

BACKGROUND The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has caused an unprecedented worldwide public health crisis that requires new management approaches. COVIDApp is a mobile app that was adapted for the management of institutionalized individuals in long-term care facilities. OBJECTIVE The aim of this paper is to report the implementation of this innovative tool for the management of long-term care facility residents as a high-risk population, specifically for early identification and self-isolation of suspected cases, remote monitoring of mild cases, and real-time monitoring of the progression of the infection. METHODS COVIDApp was implemented in 196 care centers in collaboration with 64 primary care teams. The following parameters of COVID-19 were reported daily: signs/symptoms; diagnosis by reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction; absence of symptoms for ≥14 days; total deaths; and number of health care workers isolated with suspected COVID-19. The number of at-risk centers was also described. RESULTS Data were recorded from 10,347 institutionalized individuals and up to 4000 health care workers between April 1 and 30, 2020. A rapid increase in suspected cases was seen until day 6 but decreased during the last two weeks (from 1084 to 282 cases). The number of confirmed cases increased from 419 (day 6) to 1293 (day 22) and remained stable during the last week. Of the 10,347 institutionalized individuals, 5,090 (49,2%) remained asymptomatic for ≥14 days. A total of 854/10,347 deaths (8.3%) were reported; 383 of these deaths (44.8%) were suspected/confirmed cases. The number of isolated health care workers remained high over the 30 days, while the number of suspected cases decreased during the last 2 weeks. The number of high-risk long-term care facilities decreased from 19/196 (9.5%) to 3/196 (1.5%). CONCLUSIONS COVIDApp can help clinicians rapidly detect and remotely monitor suspected and confirmed cases of COVID-19 among institutionalized individuals, thus limiting the risk of spreading the virus. The platform shows the progression of infection in real time and can aid in designing new monitoring strategies.

Introduction: The growing numbers of People with Complex Chronic Conditions (PCCC) has been leading to a challenge of adaptation of the care providers’ response to the high needs presented by individuals. Short description of practice change implemented: The creation of a Chronic Care Management Team (CCMT) supported an innovative strategy focused on reaching a more integrated model of care. A community-based care programme was developed based on: a. International evidence (reviewed by two CCMT experts); b. A consensus reached by clinical leaders involved on care (in a local task force group with 60 members from primary and secondary care); c. The inclusion of people experience (by two focus groups with patients, and home interviews to carers and members of community institutions). It led to a new organisational and governance model for the whole territory. An IT tools adaptation was required to support the CCMT task on monitoring the care process and outcome indicators. Aim and theory of change: In order to improve the quality of the care process and to obtain patient-centred outcomes in an efficient way, it was urged to change the usual model, to a new multidisciplinary, multidimensional, patient-centred provision of integrated care focused in the community, with the central role of expert Primary Care teams. Targeted population and stakeholders: PCCC including those with advanced illnesses. Stakeholders: several units from the Catalan Health Institute in Badalona area, North of Barcelona, as a territorial public provider of primary care and hospital care, which collaborate with other social care and intermediate care providers in the area. Timeline: Phase 1: development of theory for change (2018); Phase 2: implementation of the new model of care (2018-2019); Phase 3: evaluation of the model (2019). Highlights (innovation, Impact and outcomes) People-centred integrated care ongoing project at meso level as a response to high needs of PCCC in an urban territory in the Catalan public health system. Definition of the care model by people involved on care (patients, carers and staff). Functional integration of clinicians from the institution. CCMT led the integration by: defining and monitoring the quality of the care process, planning the adaptation of resources, and evaluating people-centred outcomes. Comments on sustainability: High sustainability expected due to the pragmatic approach. Comments on transferability: High transferability expected due to the position of our institution in the health system. Conclusions (comprising key findings): Our project was created based on a need to deepen on integrated care provision. Preliminary results on the quality of the care process have been evaluated. Preliminary results centred on people have been evaluated. Discussion: It is a huge opportunity for our system to develop and evaluate an integrated care strategy at a meso level, following the Catalan Government integrated care strategy. Lessons learned: Adapting the theoretical model to real world required a strong leadership, clear governance, time for change and the alignment of all the actors. The consensus reached, based on people experience and views, was a strong element for change.

SUMMARYBackground It is accepted that patient education can be beneficial in the treatment of chronic diseases. We conducted an educational intervention (EI) in hypertensive patients seen at Primary Care centres (PCC) and specialised Hypertension Units (SHU). Objectives To assess patient's knowledge of hypertension and to verify the impact of this educational initiative. Methods A multicentre quasi-experimental study with the participation of 120 patients with hypertension. EI consisted of oral and written information which included the definition of hypertension, causes, cardiovascular risk factors and means of control. A self-administered questionnaire was used to assess patient's knowledge before and after EI. Results Sixty-two (52%) patients were from PCC and 58 (48%) from SHU (mean age: 61 ± 13.3 years, 59% were women). There were no differences in baseline characteristics between patients attending at PCC and SHU. The definition of hypertension (blood pressure ≥140 mmHg and/or ≥90 mmHg was known by 48% and 99% of the participants before and after EI, respectively (p

It is accepted that patient education can be beneficial in the treatment of chronic diseases. We conducted an educational intervention (EI) in hypertensive patients seen at Primary Care centres (PCC) and specialised Hypertension Units (SHU).To assess patient's knowledge of hypertension and to verify the impact of this educational initiative.A multicentre quasi-experimental study with the participation of 120 patients with hypertension. EI consisted of oral and written information which included the definition of hypertension, causes, cardiovascular risk factors and means of control. A self-administered questionnaire was used to assess patient's knowledge before and after EI.Sixty-two (52%) patients were from PCC and 58 (48%) from SHU (mean age: 61 ± 13.3 years, 59% were women). There were no differences in baseline characteristics between patients attending at PCC and SHU. The definition of hypertension (blood pressure ≥140 mmHg and/or ≥90 mmHg was known by 48% and 99% of the participants before and after EI, respectively (p 0.001). Poor baseline knowledge about the risks of hypertension was related to kidneys (54%) and eyes (58%). After EI this knowledge increased to 100% (p 0.001 and p 0.001, respectively). A significant improvement in knowledge about medication was observed (51% before and 87% after EI; p = 0.004).This study shows a positive impact of EI to improve patients' knowledge about hypertension. However, further studies are needed to assess if EI produces behaviour changes in the long term, as this might enhance optimal blood pressure control to prevent kidney disease or delay its progression.