title: [Results of the introduction of the "mre Netzwerk Nordwest" quality certification for nursing homes in Bonn].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The Commission for Hospital Hygiene and Infection Prevention of the Robert Koch Institute (KRINKO) published a Recommendation for Prevention of Infection in Nursing Homes in 2005 [Kommission für Krankenhaushygiene und Infektionsprävention beim Robert Koch-Institut (KRINKO)]. The recommended measures for infection control of multidrug-resistant pathogens (MRP) are well known in most institutions. The "mre-Netzwerk Nordwest" quality certification is new, and was implemented by the KRINKO recommendation on a standardized basis for the first time in 2012 in Bonn, Germany. This study describes the first results of this initiative.
  
  
  METHODS
  The certification contains guidelines based on the above-mentioned KRINKO recommendation and a survey on the status of infections and antibiotic therapies. Nursing homes in Bonn were asked to fulfill a list of ten criteria. The process was supervised by the local health authority and evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 38 nursing homes in Bonn, 19 acquired the certification. The survey showed that 1.4% of the residents were treated with antibiotics. Four pathogens were identified as MRP, but did not belong to the classic spectrum. In all, 42% of infections were treated with beta-lactams and 8% with quinolones. The evaluation showed that at least ten urinary tract catheters were removed because of the certification and a related re-evaluation of the indication was made by the treating physician.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Implementation of the certification was assessed as positive, although it involves additional investments. The application of the approach was considered feasible as compared with other regions. The portion of antibiotic therapy use and partly that of other drugs was comparable to the findings of Wischnewski et al., Bundesgesundheitsblatt Gesundheitsforschung Gesundheitsschutz 54(11):1147-1152, 2011. Re-assessing the indication for urinary tract catheters might have a positive influence on the prevention of infections. The certification can trigger the exchange of information on MRP and antibiotic stewardship between nursing home physicians.
authors.affiliation: -, Bonn, Deutschland.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Braubach
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Scherholz-Schlösser
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Thole
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Daniels-Haardt
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Heyer
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000517:prevention & control; D002568:Certification; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000592:standards*; D008297:Male; D009735:Nursing Homes / Q000592:standards*; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000592:standards*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents