[Geriatric units at the beginning of the 2020 COVID-19 epidemic in France].

Titre[Geriatric units at the beginning of the 2020 COVID-19 epidemic in France].
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2020
AuthorsBerrut G, de Decker L, Aquino J-P, Ahmine S, Amalberti N, Arlaud C, Aubry A, Beau P, Behara H, Bernard F, Bloch F, Bonin-Guillaume S, Boureau A-S, Chaffringeon A, Chaudier B, Collins C, Courau A, Cudennec T, Debray M, Fougère B, Gaudeau D, Huvent-Grelle D, Laurent M, Mizzi B, Maley K, Mecheri H, Merlhès C, Merouani B, Nicolini M, Pautas E, Pellerano B, Piet E, Rascle C, Rouaud A, Somme D, Gavazzi G, Salles N, GuÉrin O
JournalGeriatr Psychol Neuropsychiatr Vieil
Volume18
Issue2
Pagination125-133
Date Published2020 06 01
ISSN2115-7863
Mots-clésAged, Aged, 80 and over, Coronavirus Infections, COVID-19, Female, France, Geriatrics, Health Services Needs and Demand, Hospital Units, Humans, Male, Pandemics, Pneumonia, Viral, Surveys and Questionnaires, Telemedicine
Résumé

The COVID-19 epidemic that started in November in China became a national epidemic from March 16, 2020 with the declaration of population containment in order to reduce the spread of the virus in France. From March 17 to March 27, 2020, the monitoring unit of the French society of geriatrics and gerontology decided to conduct a survey to analyze the implementation of the mobilization of geriatric units, given that this epidemic had shown that it resulted in excess mortality mainly among the elderly. The survey was able to bring together the response of 34 services, nine of which were located in a high epidemic cluster zone. Dedicated acute geriatric units for patients infected with COVID-19 were present in eight facilities, only outside the cluster zones. Nine geriatric follow-up and rehabilitation services were dedicated, an additional telemedicine activity concerned 35% of the facilities, and family listening and tablet communication facilities concerned 36% of the facilities. This survey is a snapshot of an initial moment in the epidemic. It provides an opportunity to describe the context in which this epidemic occurred in terms of geriatric policy, and to assess the responsiveness and inventiveness of these services in meeting the needs of the elderly.

DOI10.1684/pnv.2020.0871
Alternate JournalGeriatr Psychol Neuropsychiatr Vieil
PubMed ID32554344