Preventing the spread of vancomycin-resistant enterococci in a long-term care facility
Article Abstract:
Prevention of the spread of infection by vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) has been studied relative to long-term care facilities based on the hypothesis that infection control practices can prevent the spread from an affiliated acute care facility with a high endemic colonization rate. This hypothesis was supported by the study. Participants were 69 of 200 residents of a state veterans' home in the fist study and 130 or 230 residents in the second. No residents were found to be colonized with VRE other than those positive at admission. Rectal colonization with VRE in acute care patients should not prevent acceptance into nursing homes.
Publication Name: Journal of the American Geriatrics Society
Subject: Seniors
ISSN: 0002-8614
Year: 2000
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Protecting long-term care patients from antibiotic resistant infections: ethics, cost-effectiveness, and reimbursement issues
Article Abstract:
Preventing antibiotic-resistant infections in long-term-care patients is discussed relative to cost-effectiveness, ethics, and reimbursement issues. The American Geriatrics Society should be working to be sure that more funding comes from Medicare and Medicaid to cover the legitimate expenses involved in keeping vancomycin-resistant Eterrococcus infected persons in nursing homes. If hospitals used surveillance cultures regularly to control nosocomial spread, it would not be necessary to postpone discharge to a nursing home while cultures grow. The bacteria have genes that can transfer to more virulent species. Contagion is high in hospitals. Antibiotic-resistance must be addressed by all kinds of facilities working together.
Publication Name: Journal of the American Geriatrics Society
Subject: Seniors
ISSN: 0002-8614
Year: 2000
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Preventing falls: to modify the environment or the individual?
Article Abstract:
Prevention of falls through visits by occupational therapists to those elderly people are high-risk patients has been investigated. It is interesting to contemplate whether the effects come from modifying the environment or modifying the individual. The study emphasized identifying and removing potential hazards. The study was done well. Interpretation requires caution. Environmental Hazards are not strongly linked to falls by any epidemiological data. Focusing on intrinsic risk factors is important. More research is needed.
Publication Name: Journal of the American Geriatrics Society
Subject: Seniors
ISSN: 0002-8614
Year: 1999
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