Whether they’re ther for a few days after a hospital stay, or living there long term, peopel in nursing homes are especially vulnerable to infections.

From bacteria that have evolved to resist most antibiotics, to common viruses that cause flu adn COVID-19, microscopic threats can have a major impact on the health of these patients.

they also spread quickly among people living and working closely together.

A new guideline could help cut that risk, saving lives and money.

Based on the latest research, and backed by five major national professional societies, the guidance lays out key steps that nursing homes can take to protect residents from infections.

It’s published in the journal Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology.

Most importantly, the guidance calls for at least one staff member at each nursing home whose entire job focuses on infection prevention, and also laying out guidelines for training, vaccinating, protecting and supporting clinical staff.

It also calls for more partnership among nursing homes and hospitals and public health agencies in their area, and for nursing homes to involve non-clinical staff in preventing infection too.

the guidance notes the importance of maintaining the “home” aspect of nursing homes and preventing social isolation while also preventing infection.

This includes allowing visitors and social and therapeutic activities even during outbreaks, while taking precautions to protect patients, staff and visitors during such times.

The guidance also addresses moderating the presence of medical supplies in patients’ personal rooms.

Lona Mody, M.D., M.Sc., led the writing of the guideline.

She has spent more than two decades studying infection transmission and prevention in nursing homes, as a geriatrician and professor at Michigan Medicine, the University of Michigan’s academic medical center, and at the VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System.

“There’s no single magic bullet for nursing home infection prevention; all our interventions are multicomponent, and the whole is greater than the sum of its parts,” she said.

“The COVID-19 pandemic made the country realize that this is a sector that needs to be looked at just as we have done in hospitals for decades.We can’t just discharge hospital patients to nursing homes thinking everything will be fine – they need protection there too.”

Mody notes the importance of work started decades ago by her co-author suzanne F. Bradley, M.D., a professor emerita a

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New Guidance aims to Combat Antibiotic-Resistant Infections in Nursing Homes

A new set of recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers nursing homes a roadmap for preventing the spread of multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs).These organisms, often called “superbugs,” are bacteria that are resistant to many antibiotics, making infections harder – and sometimes unachievable – to treat.

The Growing Threat of MDROs

MDROs pose a significant threat to residents of nursing homes, who are frequently enough more vulnerable to infection due to weakened immune systems and underlying health conditions. Infections caused by MDROs can lead to prolonged illness, increased hospitalizations, and even death.

The CDC’s new guidance builds on previous recommendations, but it reflects a deeper understanding of how mdros spread and what strategies are most effective in preventing their transmission. It emphasizes a thorough approach that involves all members of the nursing home community – staff,residents,and visitors.

Key Recommendations for Prevention

The guidance outlines several key strategies for preventing the spread of MDROs:

• Early Detection and Rapid Response: Implement robust surveillance systems to quickly identify residents colonized or infected with MDROs.
• Infection Control Practices: Reinforce adherence to core infection prevention practices,including hand hygiene,environmental cleaning,and proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Antibiotic Stewardship: Use antibiotics judiciously, following established guidelines to minimize the development of antibiotic resistance.
• Education and Training: Provide ongoing education and training to all staff on MDROs, infection control practices, and antibiotic stewardship.
• Communication and Collaboration: Foster open communication and collaboration with hospitals, public health agencies, and other healthcare providers.

Prevention requires multi-modal strategies that incorporate education, use of protective gear and diligent practice of core infection prevention practices by all including patients and visitors.

The dramatic rise in short-stay post-hospital nursing home care coincided with the rise in MDROs, making this an urgent issue for nursing homes to tackle.

The new guidance includes information for testing and treating not only patients with MDROs but also using antibiotics carefully in other patients to avoid giving bacteria more chances to evolve resistance to the drugs.

An ecosystem of care

The guidance also emphasizes the importance of nursing homes connecting with, and partnering with, the hospitals in their area and the public health agency that covers their city, county or region.

The COVID-19 pandemic made clear the importance of these ties, and of seeing nursing homes as a vital part of the ecosystem of health care, Mody said.

Similarly, within nursing homes, the guidance stresses the need for a coordinated approach involving all staff, residents, and visitors.

FAQ

Q: What are MDROs?

A: MDROs are bacteria that are resistant to many antibiotics, making infections harder to treat.

Q: Why are nursing home residents particularly vulnerable to MDRO infections?

A: Residents often have weakened immune systems and underlying health conditions, making them more susceptible to infection.

Q: What is