New Guidance Published to Help Prevent Infections in Nursing Homes
New guidance has been published in Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology regarding the prevention of infections in nursing homes.
The guidance calls for “at least one staff member at each nursing home whose entire job focuses on infection prevention at every nursing home, as well as laying out guidelines for training, vaccinating, protecting, and supporting clinical staff.” It also encourages “more partnership among nursing homes and hospitals and public health agencies in their area, and for nursing homes to involve non-clinical staff in preventing infection too.”
Having a staff member whose job it is to focus on infection prevention can “ensure clinical staff get trained in proper ways to prevent infections when they’re caring for vulnerable patients,” which includes “cleaning skin and surfaces…[and] wearing protective gear during close encounters with people who have [MDROs].” They could also train staff on the importance of vaccination and of staying home when sick.
The guidance also calls for “infection prevention to be part of the job of facilities staff who monitor ventilation, custodial staff who clean various surfaces, and information technology staff who can make it easier for infection control staff to analyze and act on data obtained from digital patient records.” Plus, more public reporting of infection control quality measures in nursing homes could “help patients and families choose nursing homes” and hold staff accountable.
