Infection Prevention and Sepsis Recognition in Home Care
Description:
Patients and caregivers play a pivotal role in infection prevention in home care settings. Infusions administered in a home-based setting receive less frequent monitoring by a healthcare professional than those administered in a hospital, putting patients at an increased risk of sepsis and other complications due to infection.
In this comprehensive presentation, the presenter will discuss the intricacies of home care, focusing on the distinct roles of patients, caregivers, and healthcare workers in home care. The various types of infections that may arise in a home care setting will be explored, as well as proactive measures to ensure a safe and conducive home care environment. Additionally, the session will provide a review of patient education tools, patient video, and “train the trainer” video available to participants for use and education of their staff, patients, and caregivers. Participants will obtain a comprehensive understanding of home care responsibilities, infection management, and the nuanced approach required to maintain a safe and effective care environment.
Learning Objectives:
At the end of the activity, the learner should be able to:
- Identify the responsibilities of patients, caregivers, and healthcare workers in home care;
- Describe types of infections that may occur in home care;
- Explain the role of patients and caregivers in infection prevention in home care;
- List warning signs of sepsis in home care;
- Describe how to balance prevention of antibiotic resistance with management of sepsis in home care.
Target Audience:
Nurses, advanced practice providers, physicians, emergency responders, pharmacists, medical technologists, respiratory therapists, physical/occupational therapists, infection prevention specialists, data/quality specialists, and more.
Supporters:
Funding for this program was provided in part by an independent educational grant from Pfizer, Inc.
Sepsis Alliance gratefully acknowledges the support provided by the Sepsis Alliance Institute Sponsor.
Sara Keller, MD, MPH, MSPH
Associate Professor, Division of Infectious Diseases
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Sara Keller, MD, MPH, MSPH, is an Associate Professor of Medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. She has joint appointments as Associate Faculty in the Armstrong Institute for Patient Safety, and in the Health Policy and Management Department of the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health. Her research focuses on expanding healthcare epidemiology and antibiotic stewardship to the outpatient setting, using quantitative and qualitative methods, and applying a human factors engineering framework. She has particularly been recognized for her expertise in improving the quality of care of patients on outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT), central line-associated bloodstream surveillance and prevention in home infusion therapy, and implementing antibiotic stewardship programs in ambulatory clinics. Her research is funded by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the National Institute on Aging.
Dr. Keller graduated from Duke University School of Medicine in 2007 and received a Public Health degree with a specialization in epidemiology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2006. She completed her internship and residency in internal medicine at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in 2010, then transitioned to the University of Pennsylvania for her infectious diseases training in 2013. She completed a two-year simultaneous fellowship in the University of Pennsylvania Centers for Healthcare Improvement and Patient Safety, and received a Masters in Health Services Research.
She also developed and serves as Director of the Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Pathway for Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Osler Medical Residency Program and directs the Johns Hopkins OPAT Program.
Provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider Number CEP17068 for 1.2 contact hours.
Other healthcare professionals will receive a certificate of attendance for 1.0 contact hours.
Medical Disclaimer
The information on or available through this site is intended for educational purposes only. Sepsis Alliance does not represent or guarantee that information on or available through this site is applicable to any specific patient’s care or treatment. The educational content on or available through this site does not constitute medical advice from a physician and is not to be used as a substitute for treatment or advice from a practicing physician or other healthcare professional. Sepsis Alliance recommends users consult their physician or healthcare professional regarding any questions about whether the information on or available through this site might apply to their individual treatment or care.