Long-term care providers have a new, “meaningful resource” to improve infection control practices and reduce citations, according to organizers.
The Infection Prevention and Control Association officially launched Monday to complement the new bipartisan congressional caucus Infection Prevention and Control in Long-Term Care formed earlier this year.
Infection control deficiencies have been center stage in nursing homes since the evening before the COVID-19 pandemic. A federal report found that 82% of all surveyed facilities were cited for having an infection prevention and control deficiency in one or more years between 2013 and 2017.
“I’ve gotten a first-hand look at how critical sound IPC policies are, yet so many in LTC don’t know where to even begin,” IPCA President Dave Robinson said in a statement. He added he’s worked in infection prevention and control exclusively in long-term care.
The group said it also plans to work with industry stakeholders to develop best practices in the infection prevention and control policy space and develop innovative and effective policies in order to reduce/contain infections in long-term care.
“We launched the association to be a meaningful resource for those in the LTC industry, and to help usher in impactful legislation that protects senior citizens across this country,” Robinson added. “We look forward to additional stakeholders joining our efforts to ensure the safety of our seniors at every LTC facility in the U.S.”
