Prevalence of nursing home-associated infections in the department of Veterans Affairs nursing home care units

Background: The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is the largest single provider of long-term care in the United States. The prevalence of nursing home-associated infections (NHAIs) among residents of VA nursing home care units (NHCUs) is not known. Methods: A Web-based point prevalence survey of NHAIs using modified Centers for Disease Control and Prevention definitions for health care-associated infections was conducted in the VA's 133 NHCUs on November 9, 2005. Results: From a total population of 11,475 NHCU residents, 591 had at least 1 NHAI for a point prevalence rate of 5.2%. Urinary tract infection, asymptomatic bacteriuria, pneumonia, skin infection, gastroenteritis, and soft tissue infection were most prevalent, constituting 72 % of all NHAIs. A total of 2817 residents (24.5 %) had 1 or more indwelling device. Of these 2817 residents with an indwelling device(s), 309 (11.0 %) had 1 or more NHAI. In contrast, the prevalence of NHAIs in residents without an indwelling device was 3.3 %. Indwelling urinary catheter, percutaneous gastrostomy tube, intravenous peripheral line, peripherally inserted central catheter, and suprapubic urinary catheter were most common, accounting for 79.3 % of all devices used. Conclusion: There are effective infection surveillance and control programs in VA NHCUs with a point prevalence of NHAIs of 5.2%.