Nursing Home Acquired Infections: A National Study Spector B, Shaffer T, Potter DEB
Infection control is an important aspect of quality of care in nursing homes. Residents of nursing homes are predisposed to infections because of overall reduced health status, presence of underlying chronic conditions and disabilities, complications due to healthcare, and being in an confined environment.
Infections are the leading cause of hospital admissions for nursing home residents and are a major cause of death. In many cases infections are preventable. Existing data are based on small samples and are limited to a few facilities.
In this paper we present the incidence rate of 3 infections (pneumonia, septicemia, and urinary tract infection) using data from 1996 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) Nursing Home Component. The 1996 MEPS NHC data is a nationally representative sample of nursing home residents from 815 facilities and includes 3,209 residents as of Jan 1, 1996 and a sample of 2,690 persons admitted to a nursing home in 1996. Infection-specific risk models are estimated to identify risk factors. The association with hospital admission is also explored.
The identification of risk factors associated with these 3 infections can offer valuable information to facilities to help minimize avoidable infections. These results could be used to help focus monitor infection control practices and to develop risk-adjusted outcome-based norms for use in quality assurance activities.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to: 1). Identify and assess factors involved in nursing home acquired infections 2). Apply results to Quality Improvement efforts
Keywords: Nursing Homes, Infectious Diseases
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.