Health Care-Associated Infections in Older Adults: Epidemiology and Prevention

Brenda L Tesini; Ghinwa Dumyati

doi:10.1016/j.idc.2022.11.004

Health Care-Associated Infections in Older Adults: Epidemiology and Prevention

Infect Dis Clin North Am. 2023 Mar;37(1):65-86. doi: 10.1016/j.idc.2022.11.004.

Authors

Brenda L Tesini¹, Ghinwa Dumyati²

Affiliations

¹ Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, 601 Elmwood Avenue, Rochester, NY 14642, USA. Electronic address: brenda_tesini@urmc.rochester.edu.
² Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, 601 Elmwood Avenue, Rochester, NY 14642, USA.

PMID: 36805015
DOI: 10.1016/j.idc.2022.11.004

Abstract

Health care-associated infections (HAIs) are a global public health threat, which disproportionately impact older adults. Host factors including aging-related changes, comorbidities, and geriatric syndromes, such as dementia and frailty, predispose older individuals to infection. The HAI risks from medical interventions such as device use, antibiotic use, and lapses in infection control follow older adults as they transfer among a network of interrelated acute and long-term care facilities. Long-term care facilities are caring for patients with increasingly complex needs, and the home-like communal environment of long-term care facilities creates distinct infection prevention challenges.

Keywords: Health care-associated infection (HAI); Health care-associated pneumonia; Infection prevention; Long-term care; Nosocomial infection; Older adults; Urinary tract infection.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Aged
Catheter-Related Infections* / prevention & control
Cross Infection* / epidemiology
Cross Infection* / prevention & control
Delivery of Health Care
Health Facilities
Humans
Infection Control
Urinary Tract Infections* / epidemiology