Infection Control
To keep residents safe and healthy during the pandemic, infection control has become a critical priority.
Up to 3 million serious infections happen annually in senior living settings – before the pandemic.
Even prior to Covid-19, communities faced serious infection threats every year. Urinary tract infections, diarrheal diseases and antibiotic-resistant staph infections are three of the most common. Infections increase hospitalization and death; as many as 380,000 people die of the infections in long-term care facilities each year. Incontinence is a condition that is a key contributor to these infections and the increase risk for other significant health issues.
UTI’s account for 20-30% of infections in senior care facilities and 23% of hospitalizations.
50% of patients in a long term care facilities have issues with Incontinence Associated Dermatitis (IAD)
Managing incontinence is an essential part of an effective infection control plan, specifically reducing the risk of skin infections and UTIs. Infections resulting from incontinence cost and frustrate families, and increase a community’s expenses and the care burden on the staff.
Incontinence management and infection control challenges include:
Health Complications - Infections increase the risk of hospitalization and death.
Untrained Staff - Poor or inadequately trained staff hinders efforts to mitigate or avoid the spread of infectious viruses and bacteria.
Hygiene Issues - Not having the access to, or not having appropriate, personal care and PPE creates health risks.
Care Requirements - Covid-19 is adding new pressures, requiring more resources, time and money to keep residents safe.
TIM and Infection Prevention
Properly infection prevention and control saves lives. Our Total Incontinence Management (TIM) program combines high-absorbency products, staff education and years of incontinence research to address:
​Proper care of any incontinence event is important to minimize the risk of infection and spread of bacteria.
High-absorbency products and appropriate hygiene protocols are essential components of infection prevention.
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Education is key to an infection control plan. Proper staff training strengthens efforts to mitigate or avoid the spread of infectious viruses and bacteria across resident populations.
​Not sure if your community needs TIM?
To determine if you need the Total Incontinence Management program as part of your infection control plan, ask yourself these questions:
1.
Do you have education or training for staff, residents and family on incontinence and infection prevention, specifically UTI’s and skin infections?
2.
Does your staff know how to assist incontinence residents and properly dispose of products?
3.
Does your staff know how to diagnose and properly assess levels of incontinence?
4.
Does your staff have the proper assessment tools and resources to create an effective incontinence care plan?
5.
Do your residents have access to high-quality incontinence and personal care products?
