Nurse-reported infections in a long term care facility.

350 nurse-reported infectious episodes over a two year period were studied in a nursing home population. Urinary tract infections were the most commonly reported, followed by respiratory and skin infections. Of these cases cultured, the most common urinary organisms were Proteus and E. Coli; the most common respiratory pathogen was Proteus; and the usual skin offender was Staph Aureus. Cultures were obtained more commonly for urinary than for skin and respiratory infections. Recurrent infections accounted for 38% of urinary, 39% of skin, and 24% of respiratory infections. These results provide further documentation about the problem of infections in the nursing home, and they may be helpful in designing preventive measures in this setting.