almost one in seven nursing homes is cited for gaps in infection control practices each year, shows new research.
Infections are the leading cause of disease and death in U.S. nursing homes, claiming nearly 400 000 lives each year.
Before receiving reimbursement for Medicare or Medicaid, nursing homes must meet certain standards. Those who do not are issued citations of deficiency.
A new study published in the issue of the American Journal of Infection Control examined the documents of reference deficiency used in Medicare and Medicaid certification between 2000 and May 2007. The data represented 96 per cent of all the facilities of nursing home of the United States, according to researchers at the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health.
About 15% of U.S. nursing homes received a lack of citations for the control of the infection each year.
The researchers concluded that there is a strong correlation between the low staffing levels in these nursing homes and the receipt of a quote from infection control deficiency.
The authors of the study, "our analysis can provide clues as to the reason for the problems of persistent infection control in nursing homes," said in a press release. The researchers noted that when facing staffing shortages, aid-nurses, licensed practical nurses and nurses may be precipitated and can crop on infection control measures, such as washing their hands proper.
The high number of citations deficiency suggests there is a need for infection prevention programs protect the elderly, the study noted. A number of States have already adopted laws that apply to practices of prevention of infections in long-term care facilities.
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