[Handling of laundry and garbage in nursing homes. A survey in 22 homes].
Management of infectious diseases in nursing homes is as important as it is in hospitals. Therefore, a standardized questionnaire was used for the detailed assessment of the handling of laundry and garbage with a special focus on methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in 22 nursing homes in Germany. The study focused on the prevention of occupational diseases in the nursing home staff. Despite a few isolated problems, the situation of MRSA-positive patients was not as alarming as expected: guidelines for MRSA as published by KRINKO were often followed by the healthcare workers. However, general problems with managing garbage and laundry were identified. Many nursing homes lacked protective clothing and a sufficient garbage management plan. In addition, the handling of laundry was a problem in that the clothing of the patients and the working clothes of the staff were often washed at home rather than in accredited laundries. Thus, the awareness for hygienic problems needs to be raised, e.g., by expanding hygienic control for the nursing homes.
Krankenhaushygiene, Universitätsklinikum Essen, Hufelandstr. 55, 45122, Essen, Deutschland.
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Hansen
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Ross
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Hilgenhöner
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Loss
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Grandek
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Blättler
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Popp
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006707:Homes for the Aged / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D007846:Laundering / Q000458:organization & administration*; D008297:Male; D017744:Medical Waste Disposal / Q000379:methods*; D055624:Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus; D009735:Nursing Homes / Q000458:organization & administration*; D009740:Nursing Staff; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D018505:Waste Management / Q000379:methods*
D017744:Medical Waste Disposal