Validation and Pilot Testing of a Guide to Measure the Costs Associated with the Management of COVID-19 and of Healthcare Associated Infections in Residential and Long-Term Care Facilities in Quebec

: As elsewhere in the world, Quebec (Canada) iscurrently facing the COVID-19 pandemic. Approximately 92% of deaths have occurred amongpeople aged over 70, and approximately 100 long-term care (LTC) centers (termed CHSLDs inQuebec) were contaminated. This alarming situation is prompting stakeholders from healthcarenetworks to investigate the socio-economic repercussions of COVID-19. To the best of ourknowledge, there is no valid and reliable tool to measure the costs associated with themanagement of COVID-19 in CHSLDs. Objectives : This research protocol aimsto: i) adapt and validate for use in CHSLDs a combined guide, Cout-COVID19-SLD, developedfrom 2 guides used in acute care; ii) pilot the Cout-COVID19-SLD guide in CHSLDs and testits feasibility and afterwards resolve any barriers to its administration, and to conduct apartial estimate of costs brought about by COVID-19. Methods : A two-partprospective study will be conducted. Phase 1 will use a Delphi approach with 14 to 17experts to validate the content of the Cout-COVID19-SLD guide. Phase 2 will pilot test theguide in a cross-sectional study in two CHSLDs. Discussion and conclusion :This study will provide a validated guide for the systematic measurement of costs associatedwith the management of COVID-19 (costs of preventive measures and costs of illness) inCHSLDs. Finally, this guide will serve as a valid and reliable instrument with which tobetter plan future research surrounding the socio-economic impacts of COVID-19 inCHSLDs.