Fifteen percent of the nation's nursing homes receive deficiency citations for infection control each year, according to a new study.
The study, published in the May issue of the American Journal of Infection Control, the official publication of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, was conducted by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh's Graduate School of Public Health.
Researchers said they analyzed deficiency citation data collected for Medicare and Medicaid certification between 2000 and 2007, representing approximately 16,000 nursing homes per year. The analyzed records represent 96 percent of all U.S. nursing home facilities.
The team said they discovered a strong correlation between low staffing levels and the receipt of an infection control deficiency citation.
According to APIC, infections are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in nursing homes, responsible for nearly 400,000 deaths per year. Although this has been the focus of mainstream media attention, very little empirical research has been conducted on the subject, APIC leaders said.
[See also: Nursing home advocacy group alarmed over proposed CMS rule.]
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services requires that nursing homes be certified before receiving reimbursement for Medicare and/or Medicaid residents. As part of this certification process, facilities that do not meet certain standards are issued deficiency citations. This study examined the deficiency citation for infection control requirements known as the F-Tag 441.
"Our analysis may provide some clues as to the reason for the persistent infection control problems in nursing homes," the study said. "Most significantly, the issue of staffing is very prominent in our findings; that is, for all three caregivers examined (i.e., nurse aides, LPNs and RNs) low staffing levels are associated with F-Tag 441 citations. With low staffing levels, these caregivers are likely hurried and may skimp on infection control measures, such as hand hygiene."
The authors concluded that the high number of deficiency citations for infection control problems identified in the study suggests the need for increased emphasis on these programs in nursing homes to protect vulnerable elders.
According to APIC, a number of states have enacted legislation that applies to infection prevention practices in long-term care facilities. Illinois is poised to pass legislation requiring what would be known as an "infection preventionist" in each skilled nursing facility.
[See also: Illinois AG arrests 4 in nursing home surprise compliance check.]
Follow Diana Manos on Twitter @DManosHFN.