Shaping a safer future
We’re proud to be part of the VIVALDI Social Care study, aimed at reducing the impact of infections and outbreaks in care homes.
Infections, such as flu, urine infections, and diarrhoea, are common among people living in care homes, and can often lead to severe illness requiring hospital treatment.
The COVID-19 pandemic brought into focus the urgent need for better evidence and innovative approaches to protect those living and working in care homes from infection.
The VIVALDI Social Care study seeks to address that need by:
measuring the prevalence and impact of infections on residents
researching and testing new, effective ways to prevent infections
finding innovative methods to protect both residents and staff.
Through our involvement, we hope to play an active role in shaping a healthier, safer future for everyone in the care home community.
For any questions, please contact enquiries@exemplarhc.com
What data does the study use?
The study uses data collected by the NHS to measure the extent of infection and its consequences, and research new, better ways to prevent infections and protect the people who live and work in our care homes.
The data includes:
hospital admissions
attendance at A&E
deaths
vaccinations
lab tests done in primary care or hospitals
antibiotics issued in the community by GPs.
How does consent work in this study?
From VIVALDI Social Care:
Research studies typically require participants' consent to collect their data. However, it’s acceptable to collect data without consent where these three conditions apply:
the benefits of collecting the data must outweigh any potential harms
it is not possible or feasible to obtain informed consent
the individuals do not strongly object to the use of their data.
Our work with people in care homes (and previous research experience during the pandemic) shows it’s often not possible to get informed consent from most care home residents. Many have cognitive impairments and therefore cannot provide informed consent to participate.
To address this, the research team has obtained a Section 251 exemption under the NHS Act 2006, which allows us to use patients' medical information without their consent. The study has also received ethical approval from the Confidentiality Advisory Group.
Participants have the right to opt out if they wish.
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