NOSO in nursing homes: the basis

The first-ever national point prevalence survey on healthcare-associated infections and the use of antibiotics in retirement and nursing homes was conducted in September 2024.

Public Health Schweiz conducted a survey on the prevention and control of infections in retirement and nursing homes in spring 2024. The survey was commissioned by the FOPH, and was conducted with the support of the CURAVIVA association.

The pilot project of the Clinic for Infectiology/Infection Prevention at the Cantonal Hospital of St Gallen has provided important insights into infection prevention and control in retirement and nursing homes. Seven institutions participated in the practice-oriented project, which ran from 2022 to 2023 and was carried out in collaboration with the St Gallen Geriatric Clinic, the Canton of St Gallen and Curaviva St Gallen, and with the support of the FOPH.

Hand hygiene among staff and oral hygiene among residents are particularly effective in combating infection rates in retirement and nursing homes. That is the conclusion of systematic literary research.

More practical exercises, less theory – this could be one measure during vocational training to bridge the gaps in knowledge of healthcare personnel.

A study has provided rich insights into the factors that motivate hospitals and nursing homes to undertake concerted efforts to combat healthcare-associated infections (HAIs).

The centre for hygiene, infection prevention and control in the Canton of Vaud (HPCi Vaud) and St. Gallen Cantonal Hospital (KSSG) have conducted feasibility studies on the point prevalence survey of HAI and the use of antibiotics in nursing homes.

The Institute for Nursing Science of Basel University examines to what extent organisational and personnel factors are connected with quality of care. To that aim, it collects data from roughly 120 Swiss nursing homes.