Infection control essential in elderly homes

April 18, 2011

Infection control is vital in stopping the transmission of communicable diseases and protecting the health of the elderly in residential care homes.
 
This was the message from Centre for Health Protection Controller Dr Thomas Tsang today, speaking at a seminar on the infection-control stewardship programme in elderly-care homes.
 
People in these homes are generally frail and prone to infection and complications, therefore prevention of communicable diseases is crucial.
 
“Residential care homes are required to assign a healthcare worker as infection-control officer to oversee infection-control practices in the homes. Measures have been taken to monitor infectious disease outbreaks. Regular training courses are organised to equip staff with the skills and knowledge of infection control,” he said.
 
A two-year pilot infection-control stewardship programme launched in January to reduce healthcare-associated infections in care homes. Through regular outreach visits, the centre helps care homes implement a structured infection-control programme by giving tailor-made and evidence-based infection control advice.
 
“Regular surveillance and compliance data will be collected to guide our recommendations on measures to prevent outbreaks and spread of antibiotic-resistant organisms in these institutions.”