The MHA Keystone Center is launching an infection control quality improvement cohort, providing high-touch technical assistance to ten long-term care (LTC) facilities. The Strengthening Long-term Care Infection Prevention and Control Practices to Address Emerging Pathogens project aims to enhance infection prevention strategies, equipping LTC facilities to effectively manage Candida auris (C. auris) and other emerging pathogens.
The MHA Keystone Center will enroll 10 LTC facilities in the cohort and engage with their frontline staff to increase knowledge and understanding of infection prevention and control best practices. Each participating LTC will have an on-site infection control assessment response visit and on-site and remote technical assistance.
Since its first identified case in 2021, C. auris has rapidly spread across Michigan. As of Feb. 3, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has reported 1,390 confirmed cases of C. auris detected across 12 Michigan counties, heavily concentrated in Southeast Michigan.
C. auris is a highly resistant yeast that spreads easily among patients in healthcare facilities and causes infections ranging from superficial skin infections to life-threatening bloodstream infections. Many LTC facilities have expressed concern about caring for residents infected or colonized with C. auris. This project aims to increase facility comfort and confidence in admitting and caring for residents on enhanced barrier precautions, particularly C. auris.
Members interested in enrolling in the cohort or have questions about the program can contact Kristy Shafer at the MHA Keystone Center.