Living in a long-term care facility provides you with opportunities to interact with many people, from other residents and visitors to the facility employees. However, the more people who come and go, the more chances there are for certain types of illnesses to be brought into and spread throughout the facility. Infections developed within a hospital or long-term care facility are called healthcare-acquired infections, or HAIs.

Common types of bugs that cause infections in long-term care facilities can include:

• MRSA
• C. Difficile
• Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus.

Infections that may occur within a facility can include

• Gastroenteritis
• Influenza
• Colds

When people reside in long-term care facilities, they may need to be transported and/or admitted to a hospital if they become too ill for the long-term care facility to handle. The five most common infections that require a transfer and admission to the hospital are:

1. Pneumonia
2. Urinary tract infections
3. Wound infections
4. Meningitis
5. Endocarditis

People who are in long-term care facilities may be at increased risk for infections because of the treatments they receive. They may have a long-term or indwelling urinary catheter, which can cause a urinary tract infection. Other chronic invasive devices, such as a ventilator tube, a port, or an IV site can also lead to infection. These devices introduce openings into the body which can allow germs to enter, causing an infection.

Those residents with frail skin may develop scratches, skin tears, or other wounds, or pressure ulcers (bed sores), any of which may become infected. Wound infection, especially in a pressure ulcer, is one of the most common sources of infection among nursing home residents. People with difficulty swallowing could aspirate (inhale) food or drink, and this could cause aspiration pneumonia.

There are several ways an infection could occur so vigilance is vital to both prevent infection when possible and to treat it early when it does occur.

People who work or volunteer in long-term care facilities should be aware of infection prevention practices. These include:

• Washing hands when moving between patients or residents to provide care.
• Observing isolation protocols (gloves, gowns, and/or masks), when necessary.
• Cleaning rooms and objects as per facility’s protocol.
• Isolating patients or residents if they show signs of illness.

But people who visit these facilities have a role to play in infection prevention as well. This includes:

• Not visiting when ill, even if it’s “just a cold.”
• Washing hands upon entering the facility and each time you return to the patient or resident.
• Reporting to the staff any signs of open wounds, infection, or illness the patient or resident may have.
• Receiving appropriate vaccinations.

Good nutrition is also important in reducing infection risk. Malnutrition can make it harder for the body to fight infections.