Prevalence of infections among residents of Residential Care Homes for the Elderly in Hong Kong

Abstract

Methods:Residential Care Homes for the Elderly in Hong Kong were selected by stratified single-stage cluster random sampling. All residents aged 65 years or above from the recruited homes were surveyed. Infections were identified using standardised definitions. Demographic and health informationincluding medical history, immunisation record, antibiotic use, and activities of daily living (as measured by Barthel Index)-was collected by a survey team to determine any associated factors.Results: Data were collected from 3857 residents in 46 Residential Care Homes for the Elderly from February to May 2014. A total of 105 residents had at least one type of infection based on the survey definition. The overall prevalence of all infections was 2.7% (95% confidence interval, 2.2%-3.4%). The three most common infections were of the respiratory tract (1.3%; 95% confidence interval, 0.9%-1.9%), skin and soft tissue (0.7%; 95% confidence interval, 0.5%-1.0%), and urinary tract (0.5%; 95% confidence interval, 0.3%-0.9%). Total dependence in activities

Acute Respiratory Infection by Chlamydophila pneumoniae and Mycoplasma pneumoniae in a Population of Older Adults in Colombia

“…The data obtained are similar to those reported by other researchers in populations of older adults like Wójkowska et al [27] showing a higher percentage of ARI-URTI; Choy et al [28], who show the common cold as the respiratory condition that affects the most the geriatric population; Evertsen et al [29] establishing cough as a criteria of a high predictive value in ARI and pneumonia in different studies present percentages ranging from 20% to 66% inclusive [30,31]. The data in this age population are explained by the presence of multifactorial causes that include physiological and immune changes according to the age, immunosenescence, pulmonary changes such as mucociliary clearance and decreased protective reflexes such as cough, increased lung compliance, decreased number of alveolar macrophages and neutrophils, the presence of concomitant diseases such as COPD and the institutionalization in geriatric units among others [6,32,33,34].…”

Quality indicators on infection control in residential care homes for the elderly in Hong Kong

“…In a study on 3857 residents in 46 RCHEs, the overall prevalence of all infections was 2.7%, and the most common infections were respiratory tract infection (1.3%). 15 Hui et al 16 reported an influenza-like illnessrelated mortality rate of 9.7% at 1 month or discharge from hospitals among elderly residents in RCHEs.…”

Observational study of compliance with infection control practices among healthcare workers in subsidized and private residential care homes

“…In Hong Kong, the overall prevalence of infection in RCHs was 2.7% in 2016, which was lower than that in 2006 (5.7%) [ 7 ]. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), a common pathogen causing HAIs, is endemic in Hong Kong.…”

“…The frail and vulnerable elderly populations in RCHs are easily infected with micro-organisms. Moreover, the residents in RCHs are at high risk of HAIs because of the confined living environments and individual co-morbidities [ 7 ]. In the RCHs, the residents are living collectively, which means they share many facilities and common areas with others [ 15 ].…”