The prevalence of infections and patient risk factors in home health care: a systematic review.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Home health care (HHC) has been the fastest growing health care sector for the past 3 decades. The uncontrolled home environment, increased use of indwelling devices, and the complexity of illnesses among HHC patients lead to increased risk for infections.

Methods

A systematic review of studies evaluating infection prevalence and risk factors among adult patients who received HHC services was conducted and guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. Literature was searched using Medline, PubMed, and the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health as well as hand searching. Two reviewers independently assessed study quality using validated quality assessment checklists.

Results

Twenty-five studies met the inclusion cri

SUBMITTER: Shang J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4438760 | biostudies-literature | 2014 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature