Formative and process evaluation of a healthcare-associated infection surveillance program in residential aged care facilities, Grampians region, Victoria

https://doi.org/10.1071/HI12009Get rights and content

Abstract

Background

In 2010, a standardised healthcare associated infection surveillance program was implemented and evaluated in 30 residential aged care facilities (RACF) located in the Grampians rural region, Victoria.

Methods

High level care residents were monitored for trachea-bronchitis, cellulitis, conjunctivitis, gastroenteritis and symptomatic urinary tract infections. Infection data was collected and reported by RACF staff or infection control (IC) consultants. ‘Infections’ reported by RACF staff were confirmed or excluded by an IC consultant after reviewing medical records.

Results

Of the 297 true infections, 89.9% were reported by RACF staff. IC consultants excluded 206 ‘infections’ reported by RACF staff. Eight infections were detected by IC consultants after checking microbiology reports. The sensitivity and positive predictive value of data reported by RACF staff was calculated as 97.1% and 56.5% respectively. The average time for IC consultants to retrospectively check data reported by RACF staff was 2.2 h month–1. Over 6 months, the time taken by one regional IC consultant to follow up data queries was 11 h.

Conclusions

The evaluation of the pilot HAI surveillance programdemonstrated that the collection, collation and analysis of accurate infection data in the participating RACF can be difficult and resource intensive. If the programis to continue as currently structured, the identified issues associated with data validity and limited resources will need to be addressed.

References (28)

  • P.W. Smith et al.

    SHEA/APIC guideline: infection prevention and control in the longterm care facility

    Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol

    (2008)
  • F.J. Silverblatt et al.

    Preventing the spread of vancomycin-resistant enterococci in a long-term care facility

    J Am Geriatr Soc

    (2000)
  • A.E. Simor et al.

    Control of MRSA in a long-term care facility

    Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol

    (1994)
  • Aged Care Standards and Accreditation Agency. Available from: www.accreditation.org.au [verified October...
  • Cited by (0)

    View full text