CME Credits: 2

Type: Oral

Summary: Recent outbreaks in ambulatory settings highlight the significance of infection prevention in healthcare settings outside the acute care facility. Patients with multiple chronic comorbidities are receiving complex healthcare in home care and LTC facilities that place them at high risk for infections. These alternative settings do not have access to the resources to rapidly identify infections of epidemiologic importance such as MRSA, Carbapenem-resistant extended spectrum beta lactamase (ESBLs), Group A. streptococcus, norovirus, and C. difficile. Without a national database, a major gap exists in our understanding of the scope of these infections in alternative settings. This presentation will outline the challenges with monitoring, preventing, and controlling infections in home care and LTC, outlining the research priorities for prevention and the impact on public policy for the next 10 years.