Abstract
BACKGROUND
The elderly are at increased risk for infections due to increased age and debilitated conditions. Two of the most frequent infections are urinary tract infections and respiratory infections. These often routine infections in a geriatric resident can result in potentially life-threatening complications. Tracking and preventing infections in long-term care facilities is essential in maintaining residents' quality of life and assisting them to function at their highest practicable level. Federal and state regulations require the presence of an infection-control program in long-term care settings to prevent the development and transmission of disease and infection within the facility.
MAIN CONTENT POINTS
By incorporating NANDA, NIC, and NOC into the infection-control program, staff members were able to create an infection-specific, shortterm plan of care for infections with minimal time requirements. The nursing diagnosis used for this example was risk for infection followed by the NIC “infection protection” and the NOC Infection Status. Outcomes appropriate for the infection were chosen from the outcome category Infection Status. Scores of 1 (severe) through 5 (none) were listed beside each intervention chosen. The resident's symptoms were rated at the onset of infection, at intervals during treatment, and at the conclusion of treatment using the 1–5 scale. The ratings reflected the improvement of symptoms as treatment progressed. If no improvement was seen, reevaluation and further treatment were initiated.
CONCLUSIONS
Measurement of resident outcomes to indicate appropriate nursing interventions is vital in determining proper treatment in long-term care residents. Use of standardized nursing language can facilitate nursing care.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.