Throughout their stay, and prior to admission, arrival or transfer into a care home, each resident should be assessed for any historical, known or suspected infection risks which may require

• the application of Transmission Based Precautions (TBPs) as described within Chapter 2
• the development of a risk assessment that considers the residents health and wellbeing, capacity to make decisions, and understand the measures or actions required to prevent or minimise cross infection within the care home.

The indications for cross-infection risks, and the requirement to apply TBPs are described in Chapter 2.

Resources 

Appendix 11 of the NIPCM provides further information on the precautions required for different infectious agents.

 

The A to Z of pathogens provides information regarding descriptions of infectious agents, the usual incubation periods and infectivity.

Further information regarding general respiratory screening questions can be found within the resources section of the NIPCM.

 

Read the patient and resident placement literature review to understand the evidence base for assessment of infection risks and resident placement decisions.