Improving Infection Management of the Institutionalized Elderly

Author

Jovel Angela Viloria BroquezaFollow

Date of Award

Winter 12-15-2018

Document Type

DNP Project

Project Team Faculty Member

Bernadette Sobczak, DNP, CPNP-PC, PMHS

Project Team Faculty Member

Valerie Yancey, PhD, RN

Keywords

algorithm, elderly, infection, long term care

Abstract

Abstract

As the elderly population rapidly grows in the United States, the burden of managing infection in long-term care facilities (LTCF) escalates. The use of evidence-based infection identification algorithms for early recognition and treatment of pneumonia, urinary tract infections (UTI) and skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI) was evaluated at a Midwest suburban 110-bed long-term care facility. Focus group sessions were conducted at the facility with four nurse practitioners, the medical director, eight nurses and certified nursing assistants (CNAs) prior to an educational in-service which was provided to all staff at the facility. As criteria of infection were reported, nurses verified assessments and initiated algorithm use. The algorithm provided targeted intervention protocol in communicating to primary care providers, implementing, and documenting plan of care for the patient. During the 30 day use of algorithms, infection surveillance, complication, and hospital transfers improved. Further research is recommended on the effectiveness of the algorithm and long-term infection identification and management for implementation periods longer than 30 days.

Recommended Citation

Broqueza, Jovel Angela Viloria, "Improving Infection Management of the Institutionalized Elderly" (2018). Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects. 74.
https://spark.siue.edu/dnpprojects/74

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