Introduction to NHSN: A Framework for Healthcare Safety

For nursing home professionals, infection prevention and patient safety are top priorities. The National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN), a program under the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), plays a critical role in safeguarding healthcare environments, including long-term care facilities, against healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and other safety threats. By using NHSN, nursing homes can better track, analyze, and reduce infections among residents while protecting healthcare staff. In collaboration with organizations like Qsource, a nonprofit quality improvement organization, NHSN offers nursing home professionals the tools and insights needed to elevate their infection prevention and control practices.

What is NHSN?

NHSN is the most widely used healthcare-associated infection tracking system in the United States, with participation from thousands of healthcare facilities, including hospitals, outpatient clinics, and nursing homes. It provides a robust infrastructure to monitor HAIs and other safety-related events, supporting facilities in complying with infection control standards and meeting regulatory requirements. By leveraging NHSN, nursing home professionals can track infections, benchmark their performance against national data, and take targeted steps to enhance patient and staff safety.

Why NHSN Matters for Nursing Homes

Nursing homes are particularly vulnerable to infections due to the close quarters in which residents live and the complex health conditions many residents face. NHSN allows these facilities to collect, monitor, and act on infection data, reducing the risk of outbreaks. For nursing homes participating in the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) programs, NHSN participation may also support compliance with CMS infection prevention requirements, ensuring continued reimbursement eligibility.

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Key Benefits of NHSN for Nursing Homes

• Infection Tracking and Reduction: NHSN provides nursing homes with real-time data on HAIs, enabling teams to identify infection trends and implement preventive measures.
• Data-Driven Decision-Making: NHSN’s data analysis tools allow facilities to compare their infection rates to national benchmarks, enabling targeted, data-driven interventions.
• Compliance and Quality Improvement: With the support of organizations like Qsource, facilities can align NHSN use with compliance standards, enhancing their quality improvement initiatives and potentially improving survey outcomes.

NHSN's Key Components for Nursing Homes

The NHSN system includes multiple modules, each tailored to a specific aspect of healthcare safety. Here are the primary components of NHSN relevant to nursing homes:

1. Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs): This component is crucial for nursing homes as it tracks infections acquired within the facility, such as urinary tract infections, respiratory infections, and wound infections. By identifying and addressing infection trends, nursing homes can develop effective infection control strategies.
2. Antimicrobial Use and Resistance (AUR): Antibiotic resistance is a growing concern, particularly in settings with vulnerable populations. NHSN’s AUR component helps nursing homes monitor antibiotic prescribing practices and resistance patterns, a key step in promoting responsible antibiotic stewardship and reducing antibiotic-resistant infections. Organizations like Qsource often provide training and support for nursing homes in managing antibiotic use effectively, helping staff implement these protocols with confidence.
3. Healthcare Personnel Safety (HPS): This module focuses on tracking and preventing occupational exposures to infectious diseases among healthcare workers, an essential element of infection control in any facility. For nursing homes, it means monitoring staff immunizations, tracking exposures, and reducing the risk of spreading infections within the facility.
4. Dialysis Event Tracking: For nursing homes offering dialysis services, NHSN has a component specifically for tracking infections and adverse events related to dialysis care. This module ensures that infection prevention extends to all aspects of care provided within the facility, improving outcomes for residents requiring dialysis.
5. Long-Term Care Facilities (LTCFs): NHSN's long-term care component is designed to address the unique challenges of infection control in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. This component is instrumental in monitoring HAIs in this setting and is tailored to meet the CMS requirements specific to nursing homes.

The Role of Qsource in Supporting NHSN Implementation

Qsource, a nonprofit quality improvement organization, plays a vital role in supporting healthcare facilities, including nursing homes, in implementing NHSN effectively. Qsource provides resources, education, and consulting services to help facilities improve infection control, manage antibiotic stewardship programs, and meet regulatory compliance through the NHSN framework. For nursing homes that may lack the resources or expertise to manage infection control independently, Qsource offers hands-on support to navigate NHSN reporting and improve safety practices.

How Qsource Assists Nursing Homes

• Training and Education: Qsource offers training for nursing home staff on NHSN reporting, infection control, and best practices.
• Technical Assistance: Qsource provides hands-on support for facilities needing assistance with NHSN modules, including setting up accounts, understanding reporting requirements, and troubleshooting.
• Quality Improvement Consulting: By working closely with nursing homes, Qsource identifies opportunities for improvement based on NHSN data, helping facilities to develop targeted interventions that enhance safety and quality of care.

How Nursing Homes Can Get Started with NHSN

For nursing home administrators and infection prevention staff, getting started with NHSN can seem complex, but the benefits far outweigh the challenges. Here’s a general guide for beginning NHSN participation:

1. Familiarize with NHSN Modules – Determine which modules are relevant to your facility’s needs, such as HAI reporting, antimicrobial stewardship, or dialysis event tracking.
2. Set Up NHSN Accounts – Work with your IT and administration teams to set up NHSN accounts and integrate the system into your facility’s daily workflows.
3. Collaborate with Partners – Reach out to organizations like Qsource for guidance, training, and resources to ease the transition and provide expert assistance on NHSN reporting.
4. Establish Infection Control Protocols – Use NHSN data to develop and refine infection prevention protocols, ensuring that all staff are trained and equipped to prevent the spread of infections.
5. Monitor and Adapt – Regularly review NHSN data and make adjustments as needed. Use Qsource’s consulting resources to identify opportunities for continuous improvement.

The Future of Infection Control in Nursing Homes

The National Healthcare Safety Network provides nursing home professionals with a powerful framework to improve infection control, monitor safety, and enhance resident outcomes. With the added support of Qsource, nursing homes can optimize their use of NHSN, ensuring they are not only meeting regulatory requirements but also fostering a safer, healthier environment for both residents and staff.

By participating in NHSN, nursing home staff contribute to a broader national effort to reduce infections and improve healthcare quality. As NHSN continues to evolve, its role in advancing safety, infection control, and data-driven quality improvement will be indispensable to the future of healthcare in nursing homes.