Individual, social, and environmental factors for infection risk among home healthcare patients: A multi-method study

Infection prevention practice in home healthcare: a mixed-method study in two Swiss home healthcare organisations

BACKGROUND

Infection prevention and control (IPC) research has long neglected the home healthcare sector with its unique challenges. This study aimed to gain an understanding of the barriers to the implementation of infection prevention practices relevant to this setting, the related attitudes, perceived relevance and priorities from the home healthcare worker perspective in Switzerland.

METHODS

The mixed-method study involved semi-structured interviews (n = 18) and an anonymous web-based survey (n = 144) among nursing assistants and nurses from two home healthcare organizations in northwest Switzerland. Questions in both sub-studies focused on perceived challenges to infection prevention practices, perceived relevance, and related attitudes and mitigation strategies. Using an exploratory-sequential design, survey questions were designed to quantify and complement the findings from the interview study.

RESULTS

Healthcare workers in these two organisations felt adequately protected, trained and supported by their organisations regarding IPC (survey agreement rates > 90%). General challenges to IPC in the home environment most agreed on were lack of cleanliness, lack of space, and the priorities of the patient to be respected (survey agreement rates 85.4%, 77.1%, and 70.8%, respectively). Practices and perceived challenges in the case of colonisation with multi-drug resistant organisms (MDRO) and potentially infectious diarrheal or respiratory illnesses varied highly regarding information transfer, use of protective equipment, and use and disinfection practices of multi-use equipment. Challenges to hand hygiene, sharps safety, waste management and decontamination of equipment did not feature as a prominent concern.

CONCLUSIONS

This study is the first to characterise the implementation of infection prevention practices and the related challenges in home healthcare in Switzerland. Home healthcare workers describe various challenges related to infection prevention practices as largely manageable in their work routine, and generally show satisfaction with the support provided by their organisations regarding IPC precautions. Key findings regarding challenges amenable to interventions include uncertainty and inconsistency regarding the management of MDRO colonisation and acute illnesses, and gaps in information transfer. Those challenges may benefit from both organisational interventions and further research into the level of precautions that are appropriate to the home healthcare setting.

Barriers and facilitators to infection prevention practices in home healthcare: a scoping review and proposed implementation framework

Infection prevention and control (IPC) research has focused on the hospital setting, neglecting the rapidly expanding home healthcare (HHC) sector. Current infection prevention recommendations do not reflect the challenges specific to the HHC setting. This scoping review considered any original studies reporting on barriers or facilitators to infection prevention practices in the context of HHC. Study characteristics were mapped, and a descriptive content analysis was performed. Based on the findings we propose a framework of eight HHC setting characteristics relevant to infection prevention implementation. 33 studies fulfilled the eligibility criteria. A majority of studies addressed sharps injury or blood and body fluid exposure prevention (N=15) and the majority were conducted in the United States (N=23). Study methodologies employed were surveys (N=18), qualitative (N=11), direct observation (N=7), and one interventional study. The HHC setting characteristics relevant to infection prevention implementation were: the care process in the patient's immediate environment; the need to bring equipment and materials into the home; the provision and financing of equipment and materials; the use of patient space and facilities; the unique position of and the expectations towards HHC providers; working alone with little support; the intermittent nature of care; the attitudes of HHC providers formed by their work circumstances. Interventional studies generating higher-quality evidence for implementation are lacking. Furthermore, implementation of aseptic technique and the decontamination and reprocessing of equipment are poorly studied in the HHC setting and deserve more research interest. The proposed framework may guide future research and implementation work.

Risk factors for infection in older adults who receive home healthcare and/or home help: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The shift towards home-based care has resulted in increased provision of home healthcare and home help to older adults. Infections acquired in older adults while receiving home care have increased too, resulting in unplanned yet avoidable hospitalizations. In recent years, several studies have reported an array of factors associated with risk of infection; however, no previous systematic review has compiled such evidence, which is important to better protect older adults. Therefore, we have outlined the work of a systematic review that aims to identify risk factors for infection in older adults receiving home healthcare and/or home help.

METHODS

Searches for relevant studies will be conducted in five databases [MEDLINE, EMBASE (Excerpta Medica Database), Web of Science Core Collection, Cinahl (Cumulative Index to Nursing & Allied Health Literature) and Sociological Abstracts]. All types of studies will be included. Exposures considered refer to medical, individual, social/behavioral and environmental risk factors for infection (outcome). Two researchers will independently go through the records generated. Eligible studies will be assessed for risk of biases using the Cochrane risk of bias assessment tool and an overall interpretation of the biases will be provided. If the data allow, a meta-analysis will be conducted. It is possible that both quantitative and qualitative studies will be identified and eligible. Therefore, for the analysis, the Joanna Briggs Institute Reviewers' Manual for mixed methods systematic reviews will be used as it allows for two or more single method reviews (e.g., one quantitative and one qualitative) to be conducted separately and then combined in a joint overarching synthesis.

RESULTS

The findings of the planned systematic review are of interest to healthcare professionals, caregivers, older adults and their families, and policy- and decisions makers in the health and social care sectors as the review will provide evidence-based data on multiple factors that influence the risk of infection among older adults receiving care in their homes.

CONCLUSION

The results could guide future policy on effective infection control in the home care sector.