Home Care

Author(s):
Carole Yeung, RN, CIC Clinical Practice Specialist, Infection Control

Baptist Home Health Network
Little Rock, AR

Published:
October 2, 2014

Abstract

Acute care facilities in the United States and Canada have been under pressure for the past two decades to reduce lengths of stay and more recently to reduce healthcare costs and improve the quality of care. Extended length of stay also increases the risk of healthcare-associated infections and other medical errors. The percentage of the U.S. population over the age of 65 is increasing every year. As a result, the number of people receiving healthcare at home has increased and the care provided has become increasingly complex, with many of these people having chronic conditions. Although the principles of infection prevention apply in all healthcare settings, there are differences in the practical application of the principles when healthcare is delivered in the home. This chapter addresses the challenges involved in developing or improving a home care infection prevention and control program and the resources available to assist in meeting some of these challenges.