Colonization With Multiresistant Bacteria and Quality of Life in Residents of Long-Term–Care Facilities

Abstract

Little is known about the impact of multiresistant bacteria on the qual- ity of life of residents in long- term-care facilities (LTCFs).1 This may include the effects of the precau- tions themselves, such as being dis- placed from roommates, or the more subtle effects from the changes in behavior and the attitudes of nursing home staff, who may distance them- selves from residents for fear of acquiring the multiresistant bacteria themselves. The benefit of such pre- cautions to residents is uncertain. Cross-transmission and infection with multiresistant bacteria, such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) orvancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE), appear to be limit- ed in LTCFs.24 Since the risk posed by these bacteria to individual resi- dents appears to be low, it is impor- tant to examine how the quality of life of residents identified as being colo- nized is affected. The detection of important changes in health-related quality of life, which denotes the func- tional, psychological, and social well being of LTCF residents, would argue strongly for a need to reevaluate cur- rent protocols. To assess whether important differences in quality of life exist