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Prevention of the spread of multidrug-resistant organisms in nursing homes

Aging Clinical and Experimental Research volume 33, pages 679–687 (2021)Cite this article

Abstract

The increase in the aged population led to a global rise in the demand for elderly healthcare services, such as long-term care facilities (LTCFs), nursing homes, residential homes. Unfortunately, the spread of multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) in these structures represent an urgent public health threat requiring immediate action. The aim of this review is to provide a practice guide for the prevention of infections in European LTCFs. A team of experts identify specific problems and proposed practical solutions for the management of colonized and infected patients residing in LTCFs. The heterogeneity of LTCF represents one of the main problems for the implementation of standardized surveillance and infection control programs. Crucial steps involved in the spread of infections among LTCF residents are represented by patient’s accommodation, MDRO screening on admission, management of patients with rectal colonization by MDROs, management of patients at high risk of MDRO infections, MDRO transmission by staff and implementation of antimicrobial stewardship. Efforts to implement specific actions in each of these fields are required to reduce the infections in this setting.

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Acknowledgements

ESCMID Study Group for Infections in the Elderly: Prof. M. Tinelli: Infectious Diseases Unit, https://www.auxologixco.it. Dr. G. Tiseo and Prof. M. Falcone: Infectious Diseases Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine.

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Affiliations

  1. Istituto Auxologico Italiano, IRCCS, San Luca Hospital, Milan, Italy

    M. Tinelli

  2. Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy

    G. Tiseo & M. Falcone

Authors
  1. M. Tinelli
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  2. G. Tiseo
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  3. M. Falcone
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Consortia

for the ESCMID Study Group for Infections in the Elderly

  • M. Tinelli
  • , G. Tiseo
  •  & M. Falcone

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Correspondence to M. Tinelli.

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All procedures followed were in accordance with the ethical standards of the responsible committee on human experimentation (institutional and national) and with the Helsinki Declaration of 1975 (in its most recently amended version).

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Tinelli, M., Tiseo, G., Falcone, M. et al. Prevention of the spread of multidrug-resistant organisms in nursing homes. Aging Clin Exp Res 33, 679–687 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40520-020-01746-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40520-020-01746-2

Keywords

  • Prevention
  • Multidrug-resistant organisms
  • Nursing homes