Questionnaire identifies COVID-19 impact and challenges among healthcare organizations
Healthcare organizations across all settings have faced common challenges during COVID-19, including staffing issues, obtaining supplies, and implementing safety protocols and guidelines, according to a survey conducted by The Joint Commission and reported in a press release.
The Joint Commission conducted an online questionnaire in September 2020 among healthcare organizations that work with The Joint Commission, Joint Commission Resources, and the Joint Commission Center for Transforming Healthcare to learn about the needs of organizations in the current and evolving pandemic environment.
The questionnaire, administered by C+R Research, had a total of 735 respondents representing a variety of healthcare settings, including hospitals, home care, behavioral health and human services, and ambulatory.
Most survey participants reported a medium to high impact on their organizations from COVID-19 and often perceived a higher impact than the number of COVID-19 cases in their area may have indicated.
Survey participants said the most common changes resulting from COVID-19 included increased communication to keep staff updated on changes and to support their well-being, increased working-from-home activities and changed plans to deal with staffing shortages. They also said they established and updated protocols, such as for infection prevention and emergency management plans.
When asked about valuable resources, participants pointed to those that helped them monitor changes and adapt their plans accordingly. These included communications on regulatory or guideline changes resulting from COVID-19, information on modifications to infection prevention plans and additional training as governmental recommendations evolved.
