Rev Esp Quimioter 2023; 36(6): 552-561

Recommendations for the prevention of healthcare-associated infections in nursing homes

EMILIO BOUZA, ÁNGEL ASENSIO, JOSÉ AUGUSTO GARCÍA NAVARRO, PEDRO GONZÁLEZ, MIGUEL ÁNGEL ACOSTA BENITO, JESÚS AGUILAR, JOSÉ BARBERÁN, JULIANA CABRERA, JESÚS DÍEZ-MANGLANO, CARLOS FERNÁNDEZ, MARÍA FERNANDEZ-PRADA, GUADALUPE FONTÁN, JOSÉ MIGUEL CISNEROS, BELÉN LORENZO-VIDAL, ADELA MARTÍN OLIVEROS, PALOMA NAVAS, ESTEBAN PALOMO, MARTHA KESTLER

Published: 19 July 2023

http://www.doi.org/10.37201/req/078.2023

Nursing homes (NH) conceptually should look as much like a home as possible. However NH have unquestionable similarities with a nosocomium as they are places where many patients with underlying diseases and comorbidities accumulate. There is evidence of transmission of microorganisms between residents and between residents and caregivers. We have not found any recommendations specifically aimed at the prevention of nosocomial infections in NH by the major Public Health Agencies and, therefore, the Health Sciences Foundation (Fundación de Ciencias de la Salud) has convened a series of experts and 14 Spanish scientific societies to discuss recommendations that could guide NH personnel in establishing written programs for the control and reduction of these infections. The present document is the result of these deliberations and contains suggestions for establishing such control programs on a voluntary and flexible basis in NH. We also hope that the document can help the health authorities to encourage this control activity in the different territorial areas of Spain. In our opinion, it is necessary to draw up a written plan and establish the figure of a coordinator or person responsible for implementing these projects. The document includes
measures to be implemented and ways of quantifying the reality of different problems and of monitoring the impact of the measures established.

Rev Esp Quimioter 2023; 36(6): 552-561 [Full-text PDF]  [Supplementary material PDF]