Preventing Healthcare-Associated Infections in Long-Term Care

Course overview

Healthcare-associated infections, also known as nosocomial infections, are infections that develop after a resident's admission to a long-term care facility. Those infections that are incubating at the time of admission, or develop within 48 to 72 hours of admission, are usually community associated, or hospital associated, if the resident is transferred from an acute setting. Elderly residents in both acute and long-term care settings are particularly vulnerable to infections, partly due to the age-related decline in immunologic function, but also due to the fact that antibody production declines with age. Upon completion of this course, student will be able to: - Describe some of the major emerging diseases that affect long-term care. - Describe some of the major continuing infections that affect long-term care. - Describe the major causes of healthcare-associated infection in long-term care. - Describe some of the other causes of healthcare-associated infection in long-term care. - Describe general prevention strategies. - Describe specific prevention strategies.