By Healthcare Facilities Today

PLEASANTON, Calif. – The long-term care industry faces a multitude of challenges when it comes to keeping residents happy and healthy, including maintaining cleanliness and reducing the risk of the 1.5 million infections estimated to occur in long-term care facilities each year.

Professional Products Company recently surveyed U.S. adults with a friend or family member in a long-term care facility and found they cite the risk of infection as a top concern, attesting to these unique challenges.

Long-term care facilities are both a healthcare setting and a home for elderly, often immunocompromised, residents, which means staff are challenged with keeping them healthy and minimizing the spread of infections, while also maintaining a clean, comfortable and home-like environment. Routine cleaning and disinfecting, however, plays a big role in helping maintain a healthy and comfortable environment. 

Long-Term Care Challenges 

The spread of infections in long-term care facilities is one of the biggest challenges facing the industry. Infections can easily lead to hospitalizations that expose elderly residents with weakened immune systems to dangerous pathogens and healthcare-acquired infections (HAIs). These not only impact their own health, but also have the potential to spread to fellow residents once the patient returns. According to research published in The Journal of the American Medical Association, norovirus outbreaks, in particular were associated with significant concurrent increases in all-cause hospitalization and mortality in nursing homes.

“Infection prevention is extremely important, yet challenging in long-term care facilities,” said Sherrie Dornberger, RN, executive director, The National Association of Directors of Nursing Administration/Long Term Care. “Residents live in close quarters and interact with clinical staff and often each other every day, which makes transmission of highly contagious germs like influenza, norovirus and even C. diff and MRSA quite easy. This can quickly lead to outbreaks and even hospitalizations. Effective staff education, cleaning protocols and having the right products on hand can make a big difference in minimizing the spread of infection.” 

Another challenge is maintaining facility cleanliness, including minimizing odors. Urine odors and stains present one of the toughest challenges when it comes to cleaning any facility, but in long-term care settings the problem is not limited to restrooms. The prevalence of incontinence means that urine and other bodily fluids can appear in a variety of settings – such as bedrooms, common areas and hallways, as well as on soft surfaces such as cushions, chairs and mattresses. 

Understanding Consumer Perception of Long-Term Care Facilities 

The results of a recent survey by Clorox Professional Products Company further underline the importance of maintaining a clean and healthy facility since cleanliness and the risk of infection are top concerns among consumers with a friend or family member in a long-term care facility.

• The majority of consumers cite overall cleanliness as a top factor influencing their decision in selecting a long-term care facility for a friend or family member (71%) with Loved Ones in a Long-Term Care Facility 

      o When it comes to the cleanliness of long-term care facilities, consumers are particularly concerned that soft surfaces are not given enough attention. Half of consumers surveyed 

      o Consumers also equate odor to a lack of cleanliness. More than two in five say that odor influenced their selection of a long-term care facility (44%).

      o One in five say they worry about a risk of infection because the facility does not smell clean (21%).

 •  Infection prevention was also top-of-mind among four in five consumers who say they are concerned about the risk of infection (79%).3

•  Finally, more than two thirds of consumers say they would be more likely to enroll their loved ones in a long-term care facility if they knew the facility used Clorox products (68%).3

Tackling the Needs of Long-Term Care 

These findings attest to the unique challenges facing the long-term care industry. To help tackle these tough jobs, Clorox Professional Products Company offers a range of products like Clorox® Remover, 4 in One Disinfectant & Sanitizer and Clorox Healthcare® work hard to make cleaning easier and life more comfortable. work hard to make cleaning easier and life more comfortable. 

“We understand the challenges long-term care facilities face and are committed to helping them in their efforts to keep infection rates and re-hospitalizations low, and enhance resident comfort through a clean, home-like environment,” said Jennifer Case, marketing manager, Clorox Professional Products Company. 

“Our disinfecting products are trusted by hospitals, business owners and cleaning industry professionals alike to prevent the spread of infectious germs and keep their facilities clean. We are now proud to bring this high standard and commitment to long-term care.” 

Learn more about Clorox Professional and its products at www.CloroxProfessional.com/longtermcare.

About the Survey 

Ketchum Global Research & Analytics designed and analyzed this nationwide online survey of 1,019 adults with a friend or family member in a long-term care facility, such as a nursing home or assisted living facility. Ipsos fielded the survey from December 16-27, 2013. The survey has a margin of error of +/-3.1 percentage points. 

About Clorox Professional Products Company 

Clorox Professional Products Company, a division of The Clorox Company (NYSE: CLX), offers some of the industry's most recognized brand names for the commercial, cleaning and infection prevention industries. Whether it is hospitals, offices, restaurants, schools, hotels or other commercial facilities, Clorox Professional Products Company is committed to meeting the demands of industry professionals. 

For more information, visit www.CloroxProfessional.com.