F M Roche1, S Donlon2, K Burns2. 1. Health Protection Surveillance Centre, Dublin, Ireland. Electronic address: roche.fiona@gmail.com. 2. Health Protection Surveillance Centre, Dublin, Ireland; Departments of Clinical Microbiology, Infection Prevention and Control, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) and use of antimicrobials are prevalent in long-term care facilities (LTCFs), but few data are available on the burden of these issues in intellectual disability (ID) LTCFs. AIM: To assess the prevalence of HCAIs and use of antimicrobials in Irish ID-LTCFs to plan future HCAI prevention programmes. METHODS: A national point prevalence survey was conducted in Irish ID-LTCFs in May 2013 using a European protocol. All Irish ID-LTCFs with full-time residents were invited to participate in this voluntary survey. Data were collected locally and analysed at the national coordinating centre. RESULTS: Twenty-four Irish ID-LTCFs participated, with 1060 residents surveyed, representing 42% of ID-LTCF residents in Ireland. The crude HCAI prevalence rate was 4.3% (median 2.2, range 0-46.7), with respiratory tract infections (1.6%) and skin infections (1.6%) being the most prevalent types. Antimicrobials were prescribed for 10% of eligible residents (median 7.5, range 3.2-13.9), with 49% of all prescriptions indicated for prophylaxis. Prevention of urinary tract infections (38%), respiratory tract infections (36%) and skin infections (27%) were the most common reasons for prophylaxis. There was considerable variation in the prevalence of prescribing for prophylaxis across ID-LTCFs (range 2-29%), with only 17% of facilities having local antimicrobial guidelines in place. CONCLUSION: There is a considerable burden of HCAIs and use of antimicrobials, particularly for skin and respiratory tract infections, in Irish ID-LTCFs. Further surveillance in this population is needed to help guide preventive strategies for ID-LTCF residents at risk of these infections.
BACKGROUND: Healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) and use of antimicrobials are prevalent in long-term care facilities (LTCFs), but few data are available on the burden of these issues in intellectual disability (ID) LTCFs. AIM: To assess the prevalence of HCAIs and use of antimicrobials in Irish ID-LTCFs to plan future HCAI prevention programmes. METHODS: A national point prevalence survey was conducted in Irish ID-LTCFs in May 2013 using a European protocol. All Irish ID-LTCFs with full-time residents were invited to participate in this voluntary survey. Data were collected locally and analysed at the national coordinating centre. RESULTS: Twenty-four Irish ID-LTCFs participated, with 1060 residents surveyed, representing 42% of ID-LTCF residents in Ireland. The crude HCAI prevalence rate was 4.3% (median 2.2, range 0-46.7), with respiratory tract infections (1.6%) and skin infections (1.6%) being the most prevalent types. Antimicrobials were prescribed for 10% of eligible residents (median 7.5, range 3.2-13.9), with 49% of all prescriptions indicated for prophylaxis. Prevention of urinary tract infections (38%), respiratory tract infections (36%) and skin infections (27%) were the most common reasons for prophylaxis. There was considerable variation in the prevalence of prescribing for prophylaxis across ID-LTCFs (range 2-29%), with only 17% of facilities having local antimicrobial guidelines in place. CONCLUSION: There is a considerable burden of HCAIs and use of antimicrobials, particularly for skin and respiratory tract infections, in Irish ID-LTCFs. Further surveillance in this population is needed to help guide preventive strategies for ID-LTCF residents at risk of these infections.
Authors: Adinew Zewdu Chernet; Kassu Dasta; Feleke Belachew; Baharu Zewdu; Mengistu Melese; Musa Mohammed Ali Journal: Drug Healthc Patient Saf Date: 2020-10-14