In the national supervisory effort, IVO (the Swedish Health and Care Inspectorate) has examined the medical care and treatment given to elderly people with suspected or established covid-19 and who live in special accommodation.

In areas where the spread of infection has been more extensive, IVO has also deepened supervision.

IVO states that there were no conditions to provide expert and caring health care of good quality to the elderly with suspected or established covid-19, which the law requires.

In Västernorrland County, for example, serious shortages of housing were found in three municipalities.

The deceased were found alone in their rooms in Kramfors

The in-depth supervision shows that it took almost three weeks at Viktoriagården in Kramfors before isolation of infected patients was introduced, despite requests to the effect from a medically responsible nurse.

There were also no nursing staff for round-the-clock care.

The inspection also found that elderly people who had covid-19 were found dead, alone in their rooms.

Nursing staff also did not follow routines for the use of protective equipment.

Sick staff in Sundsvall were not reimbursed

In Sundsvall, IVO has carried out an in-depth inspection at Kristinelund and Ljustagården, which are special accommodation.

The review shows that patients at the beginning of the pandemic moved into homes without having been tested for covid-19.

Nurses have had a high workload due to sick leave not being compensated.

They have also had to take on an extra large responsibility as the health center that provided medical interventions was for the most part staffed by relay doctors who had difficulty making decisions.

Timrå did not fill in records

The in-depth supervision of Strandbo special housing in Timrå shows shortcomings in the patients' health and medical records.

IVO states that it is not possible to follow the care of the elderly because there is a lack of information to ensure good care.

In reviewed records, there is a lack of planning of care and treatment around patients in case of suspected or established covid-19.

The responsible committees in the municipalities now have until 15 March to report measures in their patient safety work.