Year: 2024
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Background: Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are a significant healthcare complication, with major implications for public health. In the EU/EEA, up to 2.6 million new HAIs cases occur annually, causing significant burdens and economic costs. In Italy, the prevalence of HAIs is rising due to factors like invasive devices, antibiotic resistance, and poor infection control. The aim of this work is to evaluate the effectiveness of HAIs containment practices in long-term care facilities (LTCF). Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study included eight LTCF inspected by Prevention Technicians of the Local Health Authority Tuscany South-East (LHA-TSE) in 2023. The study evaluated non-compliance in procedures for legionellosis prevention, cleaning and disinfection, laundry management, management of pans, HAIs prevention, healthcare tools disinfection, and hairdressing services. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and the Mann Whitney test to compare infection rates with procedure compliance. Results: were linked to non-compliance with "HAIs Procedures Routes" (p = 0.04), "Pans" processes (p = 0.04), and cleanliness in the hairdressing service (p = 0.04). Herpes simplex or Herpes zoster infections were higher in LTCF with non-compliant hairdressing service rooms (p = 0.02). Two legionellosis cases were recorded in LTCF with reported non-compliance in analytical procedures for Legionellosis. Conclusions: Our analysis showed significant correlations between cleanliness procedures and reductions in fungal infections, gastroenteritis, and ear infections. Compliance in laundry procedures was linked to ILI and surgical site infections. Non-compliance in healthcare tools correlated with higher rates of gastroenteritis and conjunctivitis, highlighting the need for stronger practices. The data suggest that effective prevention measures reduce HAIs, though discrepancies in implementation across facilities call for standardization and continuous monitoring.
Source: PubMed
Authors: Viti, Federico, Guarducci, Giovanni, Cartocci, Alessandra, Perinti, Roberto, Nante, Nicola
Institutions: University of Siena, Regione Toscana
Language: English
Subfield: Infectious Diseases
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W4412957323