As the baby-boomer population ages and requires such care, infection control practices in nursing homes will need to keep up with the influx of patients, according to an article on the Contagion Live website.
The authors of a recent study evaluated the impact of a multifaceted hand-hygiene program in nursing homes. The intervention group implemented hand hygiene-related measures, including increased access to hand gel via pocket-sized containers and new dispensers and more informational displays.
The investigators assessed hand-hygiene adherence through hand gel consumption and evaluated the incidence rate of acute respiratory infections and acute gastroenteritis.
Over the study period, the volume of hand gel being consumed was higher in the intervention group and overall mortality and antibiotic prescriptions were significantly lower.