title: Multiresistant pathogens in geriatric nursing - infection control in residential facilities for geriatric nursing in Germany.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The increase of multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) causes problems in geriatric nursing homes. Older people are at increased a growing risk of infection due to multimorbidity and frequent stays in hospital. A high proportion of the elderly require residential care in geriatric nursing facilities, where hygiene requirements in nursing homes are similar to those in hospitals. For this reason we examined how well nursing homes are prepared for MDROs and how effectively protect their infection control residents and staff.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study was performed on infection control in residential geriatric nursing facilities in Germany 2012. The questionnaire recorded important parameters of hygiene, resident and staff protection and actions in case of existing MDROs.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The response was 54% in Hamburg and 27% in the rest of Germany. Nursing homes were generally well equipped for dealing with infection control: There were standards for MDROs and regular hygiene training for staff. The facilities provided adequate protective clothing, affected residents are usually isolated and hygienic laundry processing conducted. There are deficits in the communication of information on infected residents with hospitals and general practitioners. 54% of nursing homes performed risk assessments for staff infection precaution.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is a growing interest in MDROs and infection control will be a challenge in for residential geriatric nursing facilities in the future. This issue has also drawn increasing attention. Improvements could be achieved by improving communication between different participants in the health service, together with specific measures for staff protection at work.
authors.affiliation: University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Institute for Health Services Research in Dermatology and Nursing (CVcare), Hamburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Peters
authors.affiliation: University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Institute for Health Services Research in Dermatology and Nursing (CVcare), Hamburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Anja
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Schablon
authors.affiliation: Bezirksamt Hamburg-Nord, Fachamt Gesundheit (Local Health Authority), Hamburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Kirsten
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bollongino
authors.affiliation: Bezirksamt Hamburg-Nord, Fachamt Gesundheit (Local Health Authority), Hamburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Monika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Maaß
authors.affiliation: Bezirksamt Hamburg-Nord, Fachamt Gesundheit (Local Health Authority), Hamburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Dietmar
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kaß
authors.affiliation: Institution for Statutory Accident Insurance and Prevention in the Health and Welfare Services, Department of Occupational Health Research, Hamburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Madeleine
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dulon
authors.affiliation: Schleswig-Holstein University Hospital, Institute for Epidemiology, Kiel, Germany.
authors.forename: Roland
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Diel
authors.affiliation: University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Institute for Health Services Research in Dermatology and Nursing (CVcare), Hamburg, Germany ; Institution for Statutory Accident Insurance and Prevention in the Health and Welfare Services, Department of Occupational Health Research, Hamburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Albert
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nienhaus
keywords: elderly people; infection control; infection prevention; nosocomial infections; nursing homes