Utilizing a Delphi Panel Approach to Co-create the PROTECtoolkit Designed to Safeguard Care Home Staff and Residents during Pandemics

CONTEXT: The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in upward of seven million deaths worldwide. In the United Kingdom, the Government was unprepared for the pandemic, which was especially evident in the care home sector, where thousands of residents lost their lives. AIMS: This research addressed the need for care homes to have robust, user-friendly solutions to planning for, and reacting to, infectious disease outbreaks. The intention was to develop a toolkit to safeguard residents, staff, and others visiting care homes. DESIGN AND METHODS: The research adopted an appreciative inquiry approach that involved working collaboratively with stakeholders. A scoping review identified relevant information and informed the development of the Toolkit. A Delphi panel of relevant experts was established to co-create and develop the PROTECToolkit. An online survey captured the experience of nurses working in care homes during the pandemic. The prototype toolkit was feasibility tested by care home staff. RESULTS: In addition to refining the content of the Toolkit, the scoping review demonstrated that co-creation in the care sector improves safety and quality of care. The survey revealed how care homes strengthened infection prevention and control and addressed challenges. The Delphi panel quickly reached a consensus on the online survey and Toolkit contents, with feasibility testing confirming the Toolkit content while highlighting issues regarding completion. CONCLUSIONS: The collaborative approach to developing the Toolkit resulted in a user-friendly instrument that is relevant to practice. The Toolkit offers an adaptable framework for use alongside existing safety and quality metrics to plan for, and address, infectious disease outbreaks in care homes. The Toolkit also empowers nurses working in care homes to identify good practices and where improvements are needed.