Effect of a comprehensive infection control program on the incidence of infections in long-term care facilities
| Autor: | Alan Richter, Louise Morgan, Donna J. Gaber, Alex T. Makris, Joseph R. Rubino |
|---|---|
| Rok vydání: | 2000 |
| Předmět: |
Gerontology
Program evaluation medicine.medical_specialty Inservice Training Epidemiology Health Personnel law.invention Cresols Age Distribution Randomized controlled trial Risk Factors law medicine Humans Infection control Program Development Aged Skilled Nursing Facilities Cross Infection Infection Control New Jersey business.industry Incidence Health Policy Public health Incidence (epidemiology) Public Health Environmental and Occupational Health Delaware medicine.disease Long-term care Malnutrition Infectious Diseases Emergency medicine Health education business Disinfectants Program Evaluation |
| Zdroj: | American Journal of Infection Control. 28:3-7 |
| ISSN: | 0196-6553 |
| DOI: | 10.1016/s0196-6553(00)90004-x |
| Popis: | Background: Control of infection within the long-term care facility is a daunting problem. Elderly patients are at high risk for contracting infection because of reduced innate immunity, malnutrition, and the presence of chronic medical conditions. This small study tested the effect of developing and implementing a comprehensive preventive infection control program in the long-term care setting and examined the resultant incidence of infections. Methods: Eight private, freestanding, long-term care facilities in urban and suburban settings were selected for the study. The 4 test sites had a total of 443 beds; there were 447 beds in 4 matched control sites. Data on infection rates were accrued in both preintervention and intervention years. The control homes maintained their existing infection control policies and procedures. The test homes were provided with an infection control educational program and replaced all currently used germicidal products with single-branded products for a 12-month period. A criteria-based standardized infection control surveillance system was used to monitor and report infections in all facilities. Results: In the preintervention year, the test sites experienced 743 infections (incidence density rate, 6.33) and the control homes experienced 614 infections (incidence density rate, 3.39). In the intervention year, the test homes reported 621 infections, a decrease of 122 infections (incidence density rate, 4.15); in the control homes, the number of infections increased slightly, to 626 (incidence density rate, 3.15). The greatest reduction in infections in the test homes was in upper respiratory infections ( P =.06). Conclusions: This study provides additional evidence that a comprehensive infection control program that includes handwashing and environmental cleaning and disinfecting may help reduce infections among the elderly residing in long-term care settings. (AJIC Am J Infect Control 2000;28:3-7) |
| Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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