Nursing Assistant Monthly Copyright © 2011 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. Common infections in long-term care May 2011

Copyright © 2011 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. May 2011Common infections in LTC Why be concerned? A combination of factors make infection…  More likely –Older adults with chronic health problems may have weaker immune systems. –Closer quarters in community living help infections spread. –Cognitively impaired residents may not always follow hygiene measures.  More severe –Residents who transfer from the hospital can bring new, drug- resistant germs that are difficult to treat.

Copyright © 2011 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. May 2011Common infections in LTC Infection types Urinary tract  The most common kind of infection in nursing homes –Lower urinary tract most common (bladder) but can travel up to kidneys –Can spread to body in a massive infection called sepsis  What can you do? –Encourage fluids to keep urine clear –Provide good perineal hygiene, also catheter care –Good handwashing for both you and the resident after toileting

Copyright © 2011 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. May 2011Common infections in LTC Repiratory infection Upper tract  Nose, sinuses, throat Lower tract  Bronchial airways and lungs Most respiratory infections are spread through the air or by droplets that land on surfaces. That is why washing hands and disinfecting surfaces frequently is so important!

Copyright © 2011 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. May 2011Common infections in LTC GI (gastrointestinal) infection  Spread through the orofecal route –This means the organism finds its way from the stool of an infected person to the mouth (of the same or another person).  Most common way this happens? –Lack of proper hand washing  Prevention –Hand hygiene of caregiver and resident –Contact precautions if GI infection is present

Copyright © 2011 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. May 2011Common infections in LTC Skin infections  Scabies is very common –Caused by a tiny mite, invisible to the naked eye –Red lines on skin may be visible where the mites burrow –Intense itching, especially at night  Prevention –Scabies is very contagious –Treatable but source must be found and treated –Source may be a family member, or staff member

Copyright © 2011 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. May 2011Common infections in LTC Precautions- 2 basic types  Standard –Used for ALL caregiving –Hand hygiene –Gloves when touching body fluids (except sweat) –Gown and eye protection if risk of body fluids splashing  Transmission-based –Additional measures to prevent transmission of a known infection –Contact, Droplet, Airborne depending on how the infection spreads

Copyright © 2011 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. May 2011Common infections in LTC Some final thoughts  New drug resistant organisms- a growing problem –A main cause is overuse of antibiotics –Germs learn to survive even when antibiotics are used  What can you do? –Encourage residents to drink enough fluids –Keeps urine clear –Cloudy urine may be due to lack of enough fluid intake, and might be treated as an infection unnecessarily