Implementing lateral flow devices in long-term care facilities: experiences from the Liverpool COVID-19 community testing pilot in care homes- a qualitative study

Kierkegaard, Patrick, Micocci, Massimo, McLister, Anna, Tulloch, John SP ORCID: 0000-0003-2150-0090, Parvulescu, Paula, Gordon, Adam L and Buckle, Peter (2021) Implementing lateral flow devices in long-term care facilities: experiences from the Liverpool COVID-19 community testing pilot in care homes- a qualitative study. BMC HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH, 21 (1). 1153-.

Access the full-text of this item by clicking on the Open Access link.

Abstract

<h4>Introduction</h4>Antigen-based lateral flow devices (LFDs) offer the potential of widespread rapid testing. The scientific literature has primarily focused on mathematical modelling of their use and test performance characteristics. For these tests to be implemented successfully, an understanding of the real-world contextual factors that allow them to be integrated into the workplace is vital. To address this gap in knowledge, we aimed to explore staff's experiences of integrating LFDs into routine practice for visitors and staff testing with a view to understand implementation facilitators and barriers.<h4>Methods</h4>Semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis.<h4>Results</h4>We identified two main themes and five subthemes. The main themes included: visitor-related testing factors and staff-related testing factors. Subthemes included: restoring a sense of normality, visitor-related testing challenges, staff-related testing challenges, and pre-pilot antecedent factors.<h4>Conclusion</h4>Our study demonstrates that the real-world implementation of LFDs to test visitors and staff faces significant challenges as a result of several contextual factors negatively affecting the work practice and environment. More comprehensive studies are needed to identify and inform effective implementation strategies to ensure that LFDs can be adopted in an agile way that better supports an already exhausted and morally depleted workforce.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Lateral flow devices, Antigen test, SARS-CoV-2, Nursing homes, Residential homes, Care homes
Divisions:	Faculty of Health and Life Sciences Faculty of Health and Life Sciences > Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	09 Nov 2021 08:35
Last Modified:	18 Jan 2023 21:25
DOI:	10.1186/s12913-021-07191-9
Open Access URL:	https://bmchealthservres.biomedcentral.com/article...
Related URLs:	Author Publisher
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3142942