BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic has been a challenge for nursing homes in China. Nursing homes are particularly dangerous places regarding the spread of COVID-19 given that they house vulnerable, high-risk populations. As such, several useful guidelines for coping with COVID-19 in nursing homes have been provided. However, the actual implementation rates of such guidelines are unknown. This study aims to document the adherence of nursing homes to the Ministry of Civil Affairs guidelines for

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... D-19 prevention and control in nursing homes.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among 484 nursing homes in 136 cities of 28 provinces in China. A self-report questionnaire was created based on the Ministry of Civil Affairs guidelines for COVID-19 prevention and control in nursing homes (first edition). The questionnaire was sent to nursing home managers via the Wenjuanxing app online from February 7 to 29, 2020. A total of 461 responses were included in the analysis. ResultsThe implementation rates of COVID-19 prevention and control measures in nursing homes were moderate, with an average rate of 80.0%. The average implementation rates for hygienic behaviour management, access management, and environmental disinfection management were 75.3%, 78.7%, and 79.9%, respectively. Nursing homes that did not have hospital-nursing home cooperation, did not have medical staff, and had not established a quarantine unit (room) had low implementation rates (p < 0.01). The number of medical staff, education level of the manager, nursing home size, and establishment of quarantine room/unit were found to be strongly positively associated with the total implementation rate (p < 0.01).ConclusionOverall, the implementation of prevention and control measures by nursing homes are insufficient during the epidemic in China. Further education for staff and cooperation with hospitals are required to improve the implementation rate. It is urgent for nursing homes to improve the management system to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the emergency.