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The Role of the Laboratory in Infection Prevention and Control Programs in Long-Term–Care Facilities for the Elderly

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2015

Andrew E. Simor
Andrew E. Simor*
Affiliation:
Department of Microbiology, Sunnybrook and Women's College Health Sciences Centre, and the Infection Prevention and Control Service, Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
*
Department of Microbiology, Sunnybrook and Women's College Health Sciences Centre, B121-2075 Bayview Ave, North York, Ontario, M4N 3M5, Canada
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Abstract

Hospital infection prevention and control programs rely extensively on diagnostic microbiology laboratory testing. However, specimens for microbiological evaluation are less likely to be obtained from elderly residents of long-term–care facilities (LTCFs). In this article, issues regarding laboratory utilization and the potential role of the microbiology laboratory in infection prevention and control programs in LTCFs are reviewed. The role of the laboratory in infection surveillance, in the management of antimicrobial resistance, and in outbreak investigation are highlighted.

Type
Topics in Long-Term Care
Information
Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology , Volume 22 , Issue 7 , July 2001 , pp. 459 - 463
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America 2001

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