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COVID-19 risks in private equity nursing homes in Hesse, Germany – a retrospective cohort study
Background: Private-equity-owned nursing homes (PENH) represent the strongest form of profit orientation in the nursing care market. Private equity firms aim to increase the profitability of nursing care facilities, which often leads to cost-cutting measures and the use of less qualified staff. Ou...
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| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Philipps-Universität Marburg
2024
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | PDF Full Text |
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| Summary: | Background: Private-equity-owned nursing homes (PENH) represent the strongest form of profit orientation
in the nursing care market. Private equity firms aim to increase the profitability of nursing care facilities, which often
leads to cost-cutting measures and the use of less qualified staff. Our study aims to fill the existing knowledge
gap by examining the association between private equity ownership and COVID-19 related infections and deaths
among residents and staff during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Methods: We analyzed outbreak and mortality data for the period from 20/03/2020 to 05/01/2022 from 32 long-term
care facilities in the Federal State of Hesse, Germany, which included 16 PENH that were propensity score matched
on regional population density and number of beds with 16 non-PENH. We used logistic regression to determine
the odds ratios (OR) for above-median values for the independent variables of PENH-status, number of beds, proportion
of single rooms, registered nurses’ ratio, and copayments.
Results: PENH had substantially fewer outbreaks in number, but longer and larger outbreaks among nursing home
residents, as well as a markedly increased proportion of deceased residents. The odds of the outcome "infections &
deaths" were 5.38 (p <. 05) times higher among PENH compared to non-PENH.
Conclusions: The study indicates a need for further research into the quality of care in PENH to inform evidencebased
policy decisions, given the higher infection and death rates. Improved documentation and public visibility
of PENH is also recommended, in line with existing practices for for-profit and non-profit nursing homes in Germany.
Given our findings, regulatory bodies should closely observe PENH operational practices. |
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| Item Description: | Gefördert durch den Open-Access-Publikationsfonds der UB Marburg. |
| DOI: | 10.1186/s12877-023-04361-8 |