Managing multidrug-resistant organisms in home care and hospice: surveillance, prevention, and control

Area of Science:

• Infection Control
• Public Health
• Healthcare Epidemiology

Background:

• Multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) are primarily transmitted in acute care facilities.
• The prevalence and transmission dynamics of MDROs in home care settings are not well-documented.
• MDROs present significant infection control challenges for patients receiving care outside traditional healthcare facilities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the importance of MDROs in home care and hospice settings.
• To discuss the applicability of the CDC's 2006 Guideline for Management of Multidrug-Resistant Organisms in Healthcare Settings to the home care environment.
• To provide recommendations for implementing infection control strategies for MDROs in home care.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on MDRO transmission in healthcare settings.
• Analysis of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) 2006 Guideline.
• Discussion of practical implementation strategies for home care providers.

Main Results:

• MDROs, while most common in hospitals, have implications for home care.
• Limited data exists on MDRO occurrence in home care and hospice patients.
• No published reports detail MDRO transmission originating from home care settings.

Conclusions:

• Home care providers must be aware of MDROs and their potential for transmission.
• The CDC's 2006 Guideline offers a framework for managing MDROs in home care.
• Implementing infection control measures is essential to prevent MDRO spread in the home setting.