title: Antimicrobial use in long-term-care facilities.
abstract: There is intense antimicrobial use in long-term-care facilities (LTCF), and studies repeatedly document that much of this use is inappropriate. The current crisis in antimicrobial resistance, which encompasses the LTCF, heightens concerns of antimicrobial use. Attempts to improve antimicrobial use in the LTCF are complicated by characteristics of the patient population, limited availability of diagnostic tests, and virtual absence of relevant clinical trials. This article recommends approaches to management of common LTCF infections and proposes minimal standards for an antimicrobial review program. In developing these recommendations, the article acknowledges the unique aspects of provision of care in the LTCF.
authors.affiliation: Long-Term-Care Committee, Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America, Woodbury, NJ 08096-3172, USA.
authors.forename: L E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Nicolle
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bentley
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Garibaldi
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Neuhaus
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000628:therapy; D004352:Drug Resistance, Microbial; D017723:Drug Utilization Review; D006801:Humans; D008134:Long-Term Care; D009735:Nursing Homes / Q000592:standards*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents