Purposeful limitations placed on this study included a single
LTCF and resident participants who were not intubated or ventilated, or unable cognitively to partake in the interview process.
Starting on October 28, 2009, the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) assisted a 368-bed
LTCF that had an outbreak of ILI among residents and staff members.
The literature review showed that screening detected carriage rates of <10% among
LTCF residents, with 2 exceptions, for which carriage rates were 20% and 16%.
Of the 215 cases that were not confirmed, 159 (74%) occurred in persons who had an
LTCF stay or hospitalization during the preceding 3 months, 50 (23%) occurred in persons
This report summarizes results of the investigation, which underscore the importance of providing pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV) to elderly residents of long-term care facilities (
LTCFs).
These additional isolates were obtained during the time of the outbreak in the same regions of New York and Connecticut and showed pattern JEGX01.0004/NYS-W, but were not epidemiologically linked to the
LTCF at the time of the outbreak (Table).
Eligibility criteria for the elderly participants were 1) being institutionalized and 2) being present at the
LTCF during the data collection period.
There was a small number (n=13) of responses, and results are focused in the geriatric population in
LTCF settings and may not be generalizable to other fields of medicine.
While many other states allow for DHs to apply for direct access permits and licenses similar to the RDHAPs, little is known about the roles and overall presence of DHs in
LTCFs. Moreover, little is known about SNAs' awareness and support of dental professionals in
LTCFs, as well as their own knowledge base, attitudes, and involvement in the oral care of
LTCF residents.
Retrieved from http://www.cms.gov/Regulations-and-Guidance/Guidance/Manuals/downloads/som107ap p
ltcf.pdf
A systematic review of literature to weigh benefits, costs, and harms of clinical practices in
LTCF and thereby inform decisions of infection prevention coordinators in this setting would be useful (Mullen & Ramirez, 2006).
Ultimately, both patients and
LTCF will benefit through increased collaboration between LTC pharmacists and other members of the facility healthcare team.
