The only way to prevent an outbreak of flu or pneumonia at a long-term care facility is by addressing all three primary transmission vectors at once: airborne pathogens, surface contact and person-to-person contact, according to an article on the FacilityCare website.

The key is anticipating infectious disease outbreaks before they occur. Closing the infection control loop on communicable diseases such as pneumonia and the flu reduces re-hospitalizations and maintains census — a top financial and clinical priority for all long-term care facilities, the article said.

Vaccines, more frequent hand-washing, changing linens, using harsh chemicals, etc., may not be enough. Airborne pathogens must be stopped before they invade. 

Facilities that have adopted airborne pathogen control technology are seeing a measurable impact to nosocomial infection rates, the article said.

Read the article.