Putting infection control principles into practice in home care

Implementing sound, rational infection control practices in home care has b een challenging since guidelines, standards, and most references have been developed for the acute care setting. This article provides guidance for ad apting appropriate infection control interventions for patient care practic es to the home care setting. Such practices include handwashing, home infus ion therapy, respiratory care, wound care, urinary tract care, and isolatio n precautions. Assessment of the home care environment, cleaning and reproc essing of equipment, surveillance, implications for occupational health, an d program design are also discussed.