Infection prevention and control guidance for Ronald McDonald Houses: a needs assessment

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Infection Control
• Public Health

Background:

• Ronald McDonald Houses (RMHs) provide essential accommodation for diverse patient populations, including vulnerable individuals requiring specialized care.
• Effective infection prevention and control (IPC) is crucial in communal living environments like RMHs to safeguard resident health.
• Existing IPC practices across different RMH locations may vary due to the absence of uniform guidelines.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the current infection prevention and control (IPC) practices implemented in Ronald McDonald Houses (RMHs).
• To identify potential inconsistencies and challenges in IPC implementation across various RMH sites.
• To determine the need for standardized IPC guidelines within the RMH network.

Main Methods:

• A survey was conducted among Ronald McDonald Houses (RMHs) to gather data on their IPC practices.
• The survey collected information on existing IPC guidelines, resources, and consultation availability.
• Data analysis focused on identifying variations and commonalities in IPC strategies across surveyed sites.

Main Results:

• Most surveyed RMHs have developed their own locally written IPC guidelines.
• The availability and nature of consultation resources for IPC vary significantly among RMH sites.
• These variations indicate a potential for inconsistent IPC practices across the network.

Conclusions:

• Ronald McDonald Houses (RMHs) face challenges in maintaining consistent infection prevention and control (IPC) due to localized guidelines and variable resources.
• A standardized IPC guideline for all RMHs is recommended to ensure uniform and effective infection control measures.
• Standardization would enhance the safety and well-being of the diverse patient populations served by RMHs.