The Burden of Gastroenteritis Outbreaks in Long-Term Care Settings in Philadelphia, 2009–2018

Abstract

Background: Gastroenteritis causes significant morbidity and mortality in long-term care facility (LTCF) residents, a growing population within the United States. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study in LTCFs in Philadelphia County from 2009 to 2018. Outbreak characteristics and interventions were extracted from Philadelphia Department of Public Health’s (PDPH) database, and quality data on all LTCFs was extracted from the CMS Nursing Home Compare database. Results: We identified 121 gastroenteritis outbreaks in 49 facilities. Numbers of affected patients ranged from 2 to 211 patients (median patient attack rate, 17%). Staff were reported ill in 94 outbreaks (median staff attack rate, 5%). Outbreak facilities were associated with higher occupancy rates (91% vs 88%; P = .033) and total bed numbers (176 vs 122; P = .071) when compared to nonoutbreak facilities. Higher rates of staff illness were associated with prolonged outbreaks (13% vs 4%; P < .001) and higher patient illness rates (9% vs 4%; P = .012). Prolonged outbreaks were associated with lower frequency of cohorting for outbreak management (13% vs 41%; P = .046). Conclusions: This study is the largest published analysis of gastroenteritis outbreaks in LTCFs. Facility characteristics and staff disease 20 activity were associated with more severe outbreaks. Heightened surveillance for gastrointestinal symptoms among staff and increased 21 use of cohorting might reduce the risk of prolonged gastroenteritis outbreaks in LTCF.

Funding: None

Disclosures: None