3107 - Optimizing Prevention of Outbreaks in Memory Care Units

Session Description: Preventing transmission of pathogens in memory care units has historically been a challenge and has been noted to be even more insidious during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Residents in memory care units suffer from various types of dementia and other behavioral disorders making compliance with even basic infection prevention protocols extremely difficult. Residents with memory issues have difficulty following instructions, tend to wander within the care unit, and may react negatively to separation from others. COVID-19 prevention guidance has emphasized the importance of a layered approach for infection prevention of hand hygiene, cleaning and disinfecting, and physical distancing to prevent disease transmission. This included cohorting residents, keeping doors closed, and establishing physical distance, which can be transferred into mitigation tactics for other pathogens that commonly cause outbreaks in these environments. Placing exposed or infected memory impaired residents into isolation precautions may escalate behaviors creating additional challenges for staff. The presenters will discuss the intricacies of caring for memory impaired residents accustomed to having close contact with staff, one another and living freely within a unit. For example, coaching memory care staff to use natural barriers such as fire doors and placing chairs six feet apart to manage separation of residents, increasing ventilation, and utilizing outside secured space for activities when weather permits.

This presentation will highlight what we have learned through a statewide collaborative about constructing interventions and developing unique solutions including guideline interpretation and implementation to provide prevention of pathogen transmission in this unique and challenging care setting. We will also discuss how we worked with academic medical settings in order to construct opportunities for acute care infection preventionists to work with memory care units to ensure success. The target audience is infection preventionists in all career stages. The content is appropriate for all experience levels.