Related Experiment Videos
Improving communicable disease outbreak preparedness in residential aged care facilities using an interventional
Keith Eastwood1, Maggi Osbourn, Lynn Francis
1Hunter New England Population Health, Hunter New England Area Health Service, Wallsend, New South Wales, Australia. keith.eastwood@hnehealth.nsw.gov.au
Objective:
To improve the capacity of residential aged care facilities (RACFs) to respond to communicable disease outbreaks.
Methods:
Three computer-assisted telephone interviews were conducted with RACFs. The first survey gathered baseline information. Outbreak prevention resources were then offered to address identified weaknesses. Subsequent surveys enabled the facilities' progress to be monitored. Before the third survey, RACFs were sent a personalized scorecard documenting their standing against 19 readiness criteria.
Results:
RACFs reporting an outbreak management plan increased from 58 to 98%, and facilities reporting 16 or more of the 19 readiness criteria rose from 24 to 43% (P < 0.0006) at the second interview and 73% at the third interview (P < 0.0001).
Conclusions:
The strategy resulted in a significant improvement in reported outbreak readiness.
Related Concept Videos
Steps in Outbreak Investigation
Healthcare Associated Infections II: Preventive Measures
The best practices for preventing healthcare-associated infections include hand hygiene, patient risk...
Investigation of Disease Outbreaks
Community Based Intervention
Foundations of Community Mental Health Programs
Central to the success of community-based interventions is the...
Pneumonia V: Nursing management and Prevention
The nurse must practice strict medical asepsis and adhere to infection control guidelines to minimize healthcare-associated infections.
Enhance airway patency
Position the patient correctly to facilitate drainage of the affected lung segments. Manual or mechanical percussion and vibration can also be employed.
Levels of Health Promotion and Illness Prevention
In primary prevention, actions taken before disease onset prevent the disease from...