Improving communicable disease outbreak preparedness in residential aged care facilities using an interventional interview strategy

Objective: To improve the capacity of residential aged care facilities (RACFs) to respond to communicable disease outbreaks. Methods: Three computer-assisted telephone interviews were conducted with RACFs. The first survey gathered baseline information. Outbreak prevention resources were then offered to address identified weaknesses. Subsequent surveys enabled the facilities' progress to be monitored. Before the third survey, RACFs were sent a personalised scorecard documenting their standing against 19 readiness criteria. Results: RACFs reporting an outbreak management plan increased from 58 to 98%, and facilities reporting 16 or more of the 19 readiness criteria rose from 24 to 43% (P < 0.0006) at the second interview and 73% at the third interview (P < 0.0001). Conclusions: The strategy resulted in a significant improvement in reported outbreak readiness