profession
15% of nursing homes cited for poor infection control
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted May 16, 2011
Nearly one-sixth of U.S. nursing homes are cited for deficiencies in infection control, according to a May study published in the American Journal of Infection Control.
Researchers from the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health analyzed records from 2000 to 2007 relating to the certification process nursing homes must accomplish before qualifying for payment from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
The study, based on records representing 96% of U.S. nursing homes, found that infection control citations were linked to lower nurse staffing levels (link) . Nursing home infections kill 400,000 patients a year.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/05/16/prbf0516.htm.