Microbiologic survey of long-term care facilities

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Infectious Diseases
• Geriatric Medicine

Background:

• A microbiologic survey was conducted in 25 long-term care facilities across Nebraska and Iowa.
• Data were collected from 566 cultures of residents, including samples from catheters, wounds, and nares.
• Resident and institutional factors, such as antibiotic use and facility size, were also recorded.

Purpose of the Study:

• To categorize bacteria commonly found in long-term care facility residents.
• To assess the relationship between antibiotic use and bacterial isolates.
• To understand the prevalence of specific microorganisms in this population.

Main Methods:

• Collected culture and sensitivity data from various sample types (catheters, wounds, stool, etc.).
• Gathered information on resident factors (e.g., indwelling urinary catheter, prior antibiotic administration).
• Recorded institutional variables (e.g., number of beds, nosocomial infection rates).

Main Results:

• Identified 478 gram-negative isolates (e.g., Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli) and 221 gram-positive isolates (e.g., Enterococci, Staphylococcus aureus).
• 38% of sampled residents were on systemic antibiotics, with quinolones being the most frequent class.
• The average institutional prevalence of urinary catheterization was 6.7%.

Conclusions:

• Significant antibiotic pressure is evident in long-term care facilities.
• Observed antibiotic resistance patterns reflect this pressure.
• A wide range of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria were identified in nursing home cultures.