title: Prevalence of nursing home-associated infections in the Department of Veterans Affairs nursing home care units.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is the largest single provider of long-term care in the United States. The prevalence of nursing home-associated infections (NHAIs) among residents of VA nursing home care units (NHCUs) is not known.
  
  
  METHODS
  A Web-based point prevalence survey of NHAIs using modified Centers for Disease Control and Prevention definitions for health care-associated infections was conducted in the VA's 133 NHCUs on November 9, 2005.
  
  
  RESULTS
  From a total population of 11,475 NHCU residents, 591 had at least 1 NHAI for a point prevalence rate of 5.2%. Urinary tract infection, asymptomatic bacteriuria, pneumonia, skin infection, gastroenteritis, and soft tissue infection were most prevalent, constituting 72% of all NHAIs. A total of 2817 residents (24.5%) had 1 or more indwelling device. Of these 2817 residents with an indwelling device(s), 309 (11.0%) had 1 or more NHAI. In contrast, the prevalence of NHAIs in residents without an indwelling device was 3.3%. Indwelling urinary catheter, percutaneous gastrostomy tube, intravenous peripheral line, peripherally inserted central catheter, and suprapubic urinary catheter were most common, accounting for 79.3% of all devices used.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There are effective infection surveillance and control programs in VA NHCUs with a point prevalence of NHAIs of 5.2%.
authors: Office of Medical Inspector, Department of Veterans Affairs Central Office, Washington, DC 20402, USA. linda.tsan@va.gov
authors: Linda
authors: L
authors: Tsan
authors: Chester
authors: C
authors: Davis
authors: Robert
authors: R
authors: Langberg
authors: Christa
authors: C
authors: Hojlo
authors: John
authors: J
authors: Pierce
authors: Michael
authors: M
authors: Miller
authors: Robert
authors: R
authors: Gaynes
authors: Cynthia
authors: C
authors: Gibert
authors: Ona
authors: O
authors: Montgomery
authors: Suzanne
authors: S
authors: Bradley
authors: Chesley
authors: C
authors: Richards
authors: Linda
authors: L
authors: Danko
authors: Gary
authors: G
authors: Roselle
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001437:Bacteriuria / Q000453:epidemiology; D002404:Catheterization / Q000009:adverse effects; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005759:Gastroenteritis / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009735:Nursing Homes; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D017192:Skin Diseases, Bacterial / Q000453:epidemiology; D018461:Soft Tissue Infections / Q000453:epidemiology; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014493:United States Department of Veterans Affairs; D014552:Urinary Tract Infections / Q000453:epidemiology; D014728:Veterans