Healthcare-associated infections in long-term care facilities

In Europe, most long-term care facilities (LTCFs) are for the elderly, including general nursing homes, residential homes and mixed facilities. ECDC monitors the burden of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and antimicrobial use in LTCFs through repeated point prevalence surveys (PPSs) in EU/EEA Member States, using a standardised protocol.
 
The risks of acquiring a HAI can be reduced by implementing infection prevention and control (IPC) structures and processes including antimicrobial stewardship.