QIO NHQI Weekly Update :: March 28, 2008  

 

TIP OF THE WEEK

MRSA and Preventing Antimicrobial Resistance

 

Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is a bacterium commonly found on the skin. However, when it invades the human body, it can be dangerous. Methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) is a strain of S. aureus that has become an increasingly prevalent infection challenge in healthcare settings and in the community.

 

In the March 14, 2008 Emerging Infections Release, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that “85 percent of all invasive MRSA infections were associated with healthcare settings, such as hospitals and nursing homes.” MRSA is but one example of the increasing prevalence of antibiotic resistant bacteria. Below are 12 steps that the CDC recommends to prevent antimicrobial resistance in long term care residents. These are general recommendations not specific to any one pathogen.

 

12 STEPS TO PREVENTING ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE IN LONG-TERM CARE RESIDENTS

  1. Vaccinate
  2. Prevent conditions that lead to infection
  3. Get the unnecessary devices (e.g. catheters) out
  4. Use established criteria for diagnosis of infection
  5. Use local resources and consult infectious disease experts for local/regional infections/outbreaks
  6. Know when to say “no” (to using antibiotics)
  7. Treat infection, not colonization or contamination
  8. Stop antimicrobial treatment when cultures are negative and infection is unlikely -- and when infection has resolved
  9. Isolate the pathogen
  10. Break the chain of contagion
  11. Perform hand hygiene
  12. Identify residents with multi-drug resistant organisms (MDROs)

References:

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Fighting Emerging Infectious Diseases. March 14, 2008. http://www.cdc.gov/Features/EmergingInfections Last accessed March 27, 2008.

2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 12 Steps to Prevent Antimicrobial Resistance Among Long-term Care Residents. http://www.cdc.gov/drugresistance/healthcare/ltc/12steps_ltc.htm Last accessed March 27, 2008.

 

 

RESOURCE SPOTLIGHT

 

CDC MRSA Podcast
Key facts about MRSA infections in the United States, including schools and healthcare settings.
Date released: 10/23/2007
Running Time: 4:57
Author: National Center for Preparedness, Detection, and Control of Infectious Diseases

 

 

IN THE NEWS

 

REGISTRATION RE-OPENED FOR NEXT WEEK’S PERSON-CENTERED CARE CONFERENCE

March 21, 2008 -- The third annual conference of the Ohio Person-Centered Care Coalition, titled Through My Eyes: Culture Change From the Staff and Resident Perspectives will be held Thursday, April 3, 2008 in Columbus Ohio, and you still have time to register!

The conference boasts an excellent line up of national speakers and local/regional panel discussion designed to inspire and energize:

  • Opening plenary speaker Richard Taylor speaks about living with dementia/Alzheimer’s
  • Closing plenary speaker Jim Collins, PhD discusses caring from the heart
  • Break-out sessions for leadership, clinicians, and direct caregivers provide attendees with an opportunity to discuss key issues

This will be the organization’s largest conference to date with nearly 700 expected to attend. Don’t miss it! For more information, go to www.centeredcare.org/conference2008.

 

 

THE NPI WILL BE REQUIRED FOR ALL HIPAA STANDARD TRANSACTIONS ON MAY 23RD

March 20, 2008 -- MCS -- Now that the National Provider Identifier (NPI) is required on all Medicare claims in the primary provider fields, if your claims are being successfully processed with NPI/legacy pairs (and most are) now is the time to begin testing claims using the NPI alone.
More Information | Apply for NPI Number

 

 

INDUSTRY EVENTS

 

 

NAVIGATING THE MDS THROUGH THE OHIO MEDICAID REIMBURSEMENT SYSTEM

May 1, 2008, 8:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. ET

Speakers: Claire Spellmire, RN, BSN, and Karen Jennings, LNHA, MHA, from the Case Mix Section, Bureau of Long Term Care Facilities, Office of Ohio Health Plans.

Cost: Free

 

For more information or to register, call Cheryl Robertson at (614) 466-9088.

Space is limited to two per facility.

 

Cuyahoga Community College Spring ’08 Continuing Education
Schedule for Gerontology Professionals

 

Health Policy Institute of Ohio: Regional Meetings on the Ohio Family Violence Prevention Project

Medicare Learning Network: Learning resources and products for the healthcare professional.

 

Alzheimer’s Association Training Events

 

AOPHA Events

 

Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine Courses

 

Ohio Department of Health, Technical Assistance Program – New Programs

 

Ohio Health Care Association Events

 

 

 

An archive of The Nursing Home Weekly Update is available on our Web site. Click here >>