Is your infection control program effective?(LIABILITY landscape)

* Antibiotic monitoring. This should be done to determine the appropriate use of antibiotics and to identify any resistance pattern that may develop. Since the transfer of MRSA residents between hospitals and nursing homes is problematic, providers should meet with their medical director to develop an institutional strategy for control of the resistant organisms based on local considerations.

* Disease reporting and other functions. This includes visitation, food handling, pest control, laundry, waste disposal, and other environmental issues.

3. The infection control committee functions should meet regularly to review infection control data and policies, and to monitor program goals and activities. Records of these meetings should be kept.

By heeding these precautionary measures, you can protect your residents and facility now and into the future.

Linda Williams, RN, is Long-Term Care Risk Manager for the GuideOne Center for Risk Management's Senior Living Communities Division. She previously served as Director of Nursing in a CCRC and as a nurse consultant for two corporations with numerous long-term care facilities in Iowa.

The GuideOne Center for Risk Management is dedicated to helping churches, senior living communities, and schools/colleges safeguard their communities by providing practical and timely training, and resources on safety, security, and risk management issues. For more information, phone (877) 448-4331, ext. 5175, e-mail slc@guideone.com, or visit www.guideone.com. To send your comments to the author and editors, e-mail williams0208@nursinghomesmagazine.com.

BY LINDA WILLIAMS, RN

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