Facilitators and challenges experienced by nursing homes enrolling in the CDC national health care safety network

Abstract

Background: Standardized measurement of health care-associated infections is essential to improving nursing home (NH) resident safety, however voluntary enrollment of NHs in Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) requires several steps. We sought to prospectively identify NH structural, process or staff characteristics that affect enrollment and data submission among a cohort of NHs receiving facilitated implementation.

Methods: The evaluation employed a mixed methods approach. The meta-theoretical Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research was used to analyze reported facilitators and challenges. Primary and secondary outcomes were time to NHSN enrollment and data submission, respectively.

Results: Of 36 participating NHs, 27 (75%) completed NHSN enrollment and 21 (58%) submitted 1 or more months of infection data during the 8-month study period. Mean days to complete enrollment was 82 (standard deviation [SD] = 24, range = 51-139) and days to first data submission was 112 (SD = 45, range = 71-245). Characteristics of NH staff liaisons associated with shorter time to enrollment included infection prevention and control knowledge, personal confidence, and responsibility for infection prevention and control activities. Facility characteristics were not associated with outcomes.

Discussion: Time to NHSN enrollment and submission related more to characteristics of the person leading the process than to characteristics of the NH.

Conclusions: External partnerships that provide real-time support and resources are important assets in promoting successful NH participation in NHSN.

Keywords: Infection prevention; Long-term care; National Healthcare Safety Network; Nursing home.