To help aging-services providers choose and implement infection control technologies that keep their residents safe, LeadingAge CAST has released the new CAST Infection Control Technology Selection Tool.
The tool presents the range of infection control technologies available, their uses, and their benefits. It includes several elements that help providers narrow down the many options on the market. Ultimately, it helps providers find the best fit for their organization’s needs:
The tool includes these resources:
In addition, by joining the LeadingAge Member Community, providers can ask peers about the shortlisted products and their experience with these vendors. Learn more about the new tool.
CAST Case Studies
The case studies help providers learn how others have implemented infection control technologies, the benefits they have gained, and the lessons they have learned.
- Achieving Increased Compliance and Infection Reduction by Staying Committed to Staff and Resident Safety: Parker Health Group deployed BioVigil’s Hand Hygiene Solution across five long-term care communities. A wearable badge gives care partners audible, visual, and vibratory reminders when they have not performed hand hygiene. The system reduced in-house acquired catheter-associated urinary tract infections cases by 100%, reduced in-house acquired central line-associated bloodstream infection infections by 33%, achieved hand hygiene compliance of over 96%, and aided non-cross-contamination by 99%.
- Air Purification System Reduces Infections and Staff Call-Outs: Phoebe Ministries’ Allentown Campus installed the LifeAire system into ductwork to destroy the DNA and RNA of all airborne pathogens. The technology yielded an 88% reduction in airborne biological and fungal pathogens, an 90% reduction in total volatile organic compounds, and a significant reduction in surface bacteria. A retrospective evaluation yielded a 55% reduction in facility-acquired infection (FAI) rates before and after installation. In addition, staff call-outs dropped 47%.
- Infection Prevention and Control Software Reduced Infections and Increased Efficiencies: Senior living provider Sapphire Health Services implemented HealthConnex, an all-in-one infection prevention and control software. A cloud-based web application, accessible on any device, helped to rapidly collect and visualize signs of infection and collect audits for hand hygiene and PPE compliance. Outbreak occurrence dropped by 50%, and operating costs related to infection control dropped by 35%. Infection preventionists save five hours per month in reporting, and clinicians and administrators save roughly 200 hours per month.
- It Takes a Village: How Hartsfield Village Protected Residents and Employees During the Pandemic: CCRC Hartsfield Village augmented its disinfection regimen with multiple light-emitting robots that deliver UV-C energy to nearby surfaces. The Surfacide Helios® UV-C System disinfected resident care areas routinely and thoroughly. The community’s many safety measures kept resident COVID-19 cases low throughout the pandemic. Hartsfield Village’s rating with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services increased from four to five stars during the pandemic, potentially avoiding costly penalties.
- How Bethesda Reduced their UTI’s by 50% Using a Proactive Infection Management Software: Bethesda, a long-term care skilled facility, implemented a robust infection-tracking software system, Peerlytics Infection Management & ABX Stewardship. December 2022 saw resident urinary tract infections drop by half, saving approximately $700 in nursing time and $400 in medications. Resident quality of life and outcomes have risen as fewer medications are prescribed and residents are prescribed fewer days of antibiotic therapy. Increased reporting capabilities have brought interdisciplinary collaboration and staff efficiencies.
