Infection prevention and proper hand hygiene are essential in all healthcare settings, including sheltered housing for children with special needs. While nursing homes and hospitals have similar care delivery methods, there are differences in the approach to infection prevention.
The patient population is one of the primary differences between Special needs housing facilities, nursing homes, and hospitals. Nursing homes often have older adults with underlying health conditions, while hospitals treat a broader range of chronic illness patients. In contrast, sheltered housing for children with special needs usually includes residents with developmental, physical, or behavioral challenges. This requires constant care and a different approach.
The level of care provided also differs. Hospitals and nursing homes have dedicated infection control and prevention teams responsible for developing and implementing infection prevention protocols. In contrast, sheltered housing may not have dedicated infection control teams, and infection prevention may be the staff’s responsibility.