Healthcare-Associated Infections in the Long-Term Care Setting: An Analysis of Reports from Pennsylvania

Shawn Kepner; Amy Harper; Rebecca Jones; Caitlyn Allen; Regina  Hoffman; Daniel Glunk; Eric Weitz; Stanton N. Smullens

doi:10.33940/data/2020.6.2

Authors

Shawn Kepner, MS Patient Safety Authority
Amy Harper, PhD, RN Patient Safety Authority
Rebecca Jones, MBA, RN Patient Safety Authority
Caitlyn Allen, MPH Patient Safety Authority
Regina Hoffman, MBA, RN Patient Safety Authority
Daniel Glunk, MD Patient Safety Authority Board Member
Eric Weitz, Esq. Patient Safety Authority Board Member
Stanton N. Smullens, MD Patient Safety Authority Board Member

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33940/data/2020.6.2

Abstract

The Pennsylvania Patient Safety Reporting System (PA-PSRS) is the largest repository of patient safety data in the United States. In addition to over 3.6 million Acute Care records, PA-PSRS has collected more than 330,000 Long-Term Care (LTC) healthcare-associated infection reports since 2009. A total of 28,310 infections were reported in 2019, representing a 9% decrease from the prior year. The Northwest region of the state had the highest infection reporting rate, with 1.25 reports per 1,000 resident days. There was a 20% reduction in both the number and reporting rate of respiratory tract infections from 2018 to 2019; however, respiratory tract infections remained the most frequently reported infection type overall. Cellulitis, soft tissue, or wound infection was the most frequently reported infection subtype in 2019, followed by pneumonia and symptomatic urinary tract infection. With this information, nursing homes and interested parties can determine which trends or characteristics of the data are relevant for reduction in infections in nursing homes. Overall, this analysis demonstrates areas in which continued education and infection prevention measures can be applied to further enhance the safety for residents in long-term care facilities.

Author Biographies

Shawn Kepner, MS, Patient Safety Authority

Shawn Kepner is a statistician at the Patient Safety Authority.

Amy Harper, PhD, RN, Patient Safety Authority

Amy Harper is an infection prevention analyst at the Patient Safety Authority.

Rebecca Jones, MBA, RN, Patient Safety Authority

Rebecca Jones is the director of Data Science and Research for the Patient Safety Authority.

Caitlyn Allen, MPH, Patient Safety Authority

Caitlyn Allen (caiallen@pa.gov) is the director of Engagement at the Patient Safety Authority.

Regina Hoffman, MBA, RN, Patient Safety Authority

Regina Hoffman is the executive director of the Patient Safety Authority.

Daniel Glunk, MD, Patient Safety Authority Board Member

Daniel Glunk is the vice chair of the board of the Patient Safety Authority.

Eric Weitz, Esq., Patient Safety Authority Board Member

Eric Weitz is a board member of the Patient Safety Authority.

Stanton N. Smullens, MD, Patient Safety Authority Board Member

Stanton Smullens is the chair of the board of the Patient Safety Authority.

References

Summary of the 2017–2018 influenza season [Internet]. Atlanta: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US); [updated 2019 Nov 5; cited 2020 Mar 13]. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/season/flu-season-2017-2018.htm.

Record flu season a reminder of the importance of taking precautions against the flu [Internet]. Harrisburg, PA: Pennsylvania Pressroom; [updated 2018 May 29; cited 2020 Mar 13]. Available from: https://www.media.pa.gov/Pages/Health-Details.aspx?newsid=505.

Estimated influenza illnesses, medical visits, hospitalizations, and deaths in the United States–2018–2019 influenza season [Internet]. Atlanta: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US); [updated 2020 Jan 8; cited 2020 Mar 13]. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/burden/2018-2019.html.