Long-Term Care

 

The Infection Control Today® chronic and long-term care facilities page provides news, updates, and guidance on tackling infection prevention in these unique environments, including nursing homes, skilled nursing centers, and assisted-living facilities. This page includes news on cleaning, disinfection, antibiotic stewardship, hand hygiene, isolation precautions, outbreak protocol, and more as administrators and infection prevention teams seek to curb outbreaks of pneumonia, influenza, Clostridioides difficile, urinary tract infections, and skin and soft tissue infections, among others.

CLABSI Prevention at Home Starts With Sharing Patient Information

May 19, 2022

Patients with home infusion therapy have improved outcomes when home health care agencies and acute care facilities communicate relevant information on their shared patients.

An IP’s Newest Weapon: CBIC's LTC Certification

May 10, 2022

Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc (CBIC) is debuting a new certification for infection preventionists (IPs) who work in long-term care (LTC) settings.

Candida auris Rapidly Recontaminates Surfaces Around Patients’ Beds Despite Cleaning and Disinfection

May 04, 2022

Candida auris environmental contamination is unlikely to be adequately controlled because re-contamination occurs within hours after disinfection.

Current Data Are Not Conclusive That Masks are Required in Non-pandemic Settings

April 18, 2022

However, a large-scale randomized controlled trial in health care is needed.

Higher Flu Vaccination Rates for Home Health Care Workers Improves Patient Outcomes

April 04, 2022

A recent study's results also could indicate how other vaccinations, including COVID-19 and pneumonia, affect patients.

Weekly Rounds: Preventing HAIs with Updated Sterilization and Quality Control Processing

March 18, 2022

Summary: Take 5 minutes to catch up on Infection Control Today’s highlights for the week ending March 18.

Number of Staff, Not Ownership, Is Predictor of Nursing Home COVID-19 Outcomes

March 16, 2022

Ratings, ownership, and prior infection control citations of facilities were not consistent outcome indicators.

COVID-19 Lessons for Infection Prevention: APIC's Recommendations to Be Better Prepared for Next Time

March 09, 2022

Key recommendations in the report include normalizing mask wearing and avoiding the supply chain failures.

Using Behavioral Change Theories to Improve Infection Prevention and Control Best Practices

February 23, 2022

Investigators used 3 behavior models to study how to increase health care workers’ compliance with infection prevention and control practices.

Handrails, Equipment Controls Among Most Contaminated High-Touch Surfaces in Long-Term Care Facilities

February 21, 2022

In a study of 11 LTC facilities, these surfaces were 4 times more likely to register high levels of crAssphage and adenosine triphosphate (ATP).