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New Rules to Shield Vulnerable Residents from Germs
9 Dec
Summary
- Nursing homes must have dedicated infection prevention staff.
- New guidelines combat drug-resistant organisms and viruses.
- Updated recommendations aim to protect residents from illness.
New federal guidelines offer a comprehensive strategy for nursing homes to combat the spread of infections, a persistent challenge in facilities housing vulnerable residents. Five national professional societies collaborated to produce these recommendations, published recently in Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology.
A significant update requires nursing homes to designate at least one full-time staff member solely responsible for infection prevention. This dedicated role is critical for implementing and overseeing multifaceted strategies designed to curb the transmission of dangerous germs, including multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs).
The guidance acknowledges the increased risk posed by residents arriving from hospitals with complex care needs, as highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic. By replacing 2008 recommendations, these new standards aim to provide robust protection, ensuring resident safety and potentially reducing long-term healthcare costs associated with infections.
