long-term care infection prevention
long-term care infection prevention
By Buffy Lloyd-Krejci , DrPH , MS , CIC , LTC-CIP
Infection Prevention and Control Best Practices Every Long-Term Care Facility Can Implement Starting Today
Long-term care facilities carry a huge responsibility : keeping their residents safe , healthy , and happy . This isn ’ t always easy given this vulnerable population and the risk of spreading highly contagious infectious diseases .
To combat this , facilities must implement infection prevention and control ( IP & C ) measures to the maximum extent possible . However , for an infection preventionist ( IP ) juggling a multitude of tasks , this can be a daunting prospect . Where should they start ? What should they prioritize ? What steps can they take now to better protect residents and staff ?
These are all great questions , and the ones my team and I hear frequently from the IPs and other staff we work with . Chances are you have the same questions , which is why I want to share some IP & C best practices you can start implementing in your facility today to reduce the risk of infection among your residents and staff .
One of the simplest ( yet most effective ) measures you can take is to educate every single person who comes into your building about the steps they can take to protect themselves and the people around them from infection . This education can come in the form of “ information signs ” that clearly guide people through the exact measures they should take before interacting with residents ( especially those who have an infection ).
The signs don ’ t need to be elaborate . In fact , they can simply have a picture and a few bullet points with pertinent information . For example , during influenza season , a sign can be posted prominently in the entryway advising visitors of common signs of the flu . The sign can then ask direct them to wear a mask if they have any flu-like signs or symptoms .
Along with signage , the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) has free posters you can download to place outside of resident rooms advising people of any precautions they should take . 1 Available in both English and Spanish , these are an excellent way to ensure staff and visitors know exactly what measures ( such as PPE ) to take to stay safe , without violating any HIPAA regulations .
Of course , as helpful as they are , signs alone aren ’ t enough . Your facility must also have all necessary personal protective equipment ( PPE ) readily accessible in close proximity to the sign . If a sign asks people to wear masks , for example , then a fresh supply of disposable masks should be kept stocked directly next to or under the sign . If a poster asks people to put on a gown before entering a particular resident ’ s room , those PPE items should be placed in bins directly outside the room ( to comply with fire safety codes , the bins should only be located on one side of the corridor .)
These PPE bins should be fully stocked at all times . To ensure this happens , another simple best practice is to ensure the task of stocking the PPE bins is assigned as a daily task to a designated
One of the simplest ( yet most effective ) measures you can take is to educate every single person who comes into your building about the steps they can take to protect themselves and the people around them from infection .”
worker ( s ). This ensures that the bins are always stocked . This is especially helpful on the weekends or after hours when staff is limited . For example , you could assign the environmental service staff or nursing aides to check and stock the bins during their shift .
Far too often , when facilities say that checking PPE is “ everybody ’ s responsibility ,” it means nobody takes responsibility for it . Assigning specific employees who are there every single day will help ensure the bins are always full , so required PPE is available whenever it ’ s needed .
Along with these simple measures , it ’ s also a best practice to make it easy for visitors and staff to practice good hand hygiene right from the moment they enter the facility . It has been well documented that most infections in healthcare settings are spread by hands . Having an alcohol-based hand sanitizer dispenser at the entrance of the facility , along with a sign reminding people to wash their hands and use the sanitizer provided , can go a long way toward ensuring the microorganisms that cause infections never gain a foothold in your facility .
Of course , the measures I ’ ve suggested here must be balanced against the reality that every long-term care facility is home to many of the residents . Plastering signs everywhere decreases the home-like feel of the environment and therefore should be avoided . However , by being strategic and deliberate about where you post the signs , you can increase resident and staff safety while avoiding an “ institutional ” feel .
Ultimately , these measures are all simple , cost-effective , and easy to implement . Best of all , they can go a long way towards keeping this vulnerable population safe . Knowledge is power , after all , and by coupling strategically placed signs with appropriate PPE , you can empower your facility ’ s healthcare workers , visitors , and residents alike to make the right decisions about protecting everyone ’ s health .
Buffy Lloyd-Krejci , DrPH , CIC , LTC-CIP , is a leading authority on infection prevention in the long-term care industry . Her firm , IPCWell , delivers in-person gap analysis , training , and support to nursing homes across the country .
Reference :
1 . Transmission-Based Precautions
26 september 2023 • www . healthcarehygienemagazine . com