Subcontracting, Employment Characteristics, and COVID-19 Infections Among Staff and Residents of Nursing Homes in Canada

This study found higher rates of COVID-19 infection in staff and residents of NHs that subcontracted direct care workers compared with those that did not. Increased direct care worker absenteeism, for-profit status, and size were also predictors of staff and resident infections. Future research is needed to identify and assess procedures for subcontracting agency workers that limit infection and improve quality of care.