Prevalence of nursing home-associated infections in the Department of Veterans Affairs nursing home care units.
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%.
Tsan
Linda
L
Office of Medical Inspector, Department of Veterans Affairs Central Office, Washington, DC 20402, USA. linda.tsan@va.gov
Davis
Chester
C
Langberg
Robert
R
Hojlo
Christa
C
Pierce
John
J
Miller
Michael
M
Gaynes
Robert
R
Gibert
Cynthia
C
Montgomery
Ona
O
Bradley
Suzanne
S
Richards
Chesley
C
Danko
Linda
L
Roselle
Gary
G
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