The Difficult Balance between Ensuring the Right of Nursing Home Residents to Communication and Their Safety

The COVID-19 epidemic has had a profound impact on healthcare systems worldwide.The number of infections in nursing homes for the elderly particularly is significantly high, with ahigh mortality rate as a result. In order to contain infection risks for both residents and employeesof such facilities, the Italian government passed emergency legislation during the initial stages ofthe pandemic to restrict outside visitor access. On 30 November 2020, the Italian President of theCouncil of Ministers issued a new decree recognizing the social and emotional value of visits topatients from family and friends. In addition, it indicated prevention measures for the purposes ofcontaining the infection risk within nursing homes for the elderly. This article comments on thesenew legislative provisions from the medicolegal perspective, providing indications that can be usedin clinical practice.