45% of outbreaks reported to the Maryland Department of Mental Health and Hygiene occurred in nursing homes.
- Infections impose a huge burden on long-term-care facilities (LTCFs) in the United States, with an estimated 765,000 to 2.8 million infections per year
- Morbidity and mortality due to infections in LTCFs is substantial, with a death rate of up to 40 percent in hospitalized nursing home residents
- Infections are among the most frequent causes of transfer from LTCFs to acute care hospitals
- Data suggest that infections could result in as many as 380,000 deaths among nursing home residents annually
- These infections cause cost an estimated $673 million to $2 billion annually
- Urinary tract, respiratory and skin and soft tissue infections are the most common infections in nursing home residents; however, infections such as conjunctivitis, gastroenteritis and influenza also pose a serious threat
- In a DHMH statewide prevalence study of mechanically ventilated patients, 100% of the 10 representative LTCFs sampled had at least one patient colonized or infected with Acinetobacter baumannii.
WHY DO I NEED AN INFECTION CONTROL PROGRAM?
Infections are costly and time consuming, but an effective facility-wide infection prevention program can help contain costs and preserve staff time.
Infection prevention and assessment should be followed through every step of a resident's stay. There are many aspects of a successful infection prevention and control program in the long-term care setting.
HOW CAN THE MARYLAND INFECTION CONTROL GROUP HELP ME?
Our consultants are experts in the current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and SHEA/APIC guidelines for infection prevention and will help develop an effective policy tailored to meet the specific needs of your facility.