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Published on: August 30, 2018

Antibiotic and infection tracking in Minnesota long-term care facilities

Erin O'Fallon1, Jane Harper, Shelly Shaw

  • 1Minnesota Department of Health, Acute Disease Investigation and Control Section, Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA. erinofallon@hrca.harvard.edu

Journal of the American Geriatrics Society
|July 31, 2007
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Most Minnesota long-term care facilities (LTCFs) track infections and antibiotic use, but systems often lack effectiveness in combating antibiotic resistance due to limited data dissemination and infection control resources.

Area of Science:

  • Healthcare epidemiology
  • Infection control
  • Antimicrobial stewardship

Background:

  • Long-term care facilities (LTCFs) are critical settings for managing infections and antibiotic use.
  • Antibiotic resistance poses a significant threat in healthcare, particularly in vulnerable populations within LTCFs.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate current systems for tracking infections, antibiotic prescribing, and antibiotic-resistant infections in Minnesota LTCFs.
  • To identify potential gaps in surveillance and management strategies.

Main Methods:

  • A survey was administered to directors of nursing in 393 licensed Minnesota LTCFs.
  • The survey assessed methods, frequency, content, and information dissemination for infection and antibiotic use tracking.
  • 345 surveys were returned and analyzed.

Main Results:

  • A majority of LTCFs track infections (94.1%), antibiotic prescriptions (80.6%), and antibiotic-resistant infections (86.2%).
  • Most facilities utilize nonelectronic methods for tracking (73.4% for antibiotic use, 72.4% for resistance).
  • Less than one-third of clinicians were informed of antibiotic use trends, and two-thirds found their systems not or somewhat effective for optimizing antibiotic use.

Conclusions:

  • While most Minnesota LTCFs have surveillance systems, their effectiveness in addressing antibiotic resistance is limited by data collection and dissemination.
  • Inadequate resources, including limited paid time for infection control practitioners, hinder optimal antibiotic stewardship.

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