2447. Impact of Agency-Level Policies and Priorities upon Infection Prevention and Control in the Home Environment: Perspectives of Home Health Staff

BACKGROUND: Infection prevention and control (IPC) is becoming a national priority in home healthcare (HHC) industry. However, little is known about the impact of agency-level policies and priorities upon IPC practices in the home environment. This qualitative study aimed to explore: 1) how home health agencies (HHA) are implementing IPC policies, and 2) perspectives of HHC staff on agency-level IPC policies and priorities and how they impact patient care. METHODS: From March to November 2018, we recruited staff from HHAs across the United States to participate in in-depth, telephone interviews. HHAs were purposively sampled based on high or low Quality of Patient Care star rating and other agency characteristics from 2016 Provider of Services and Home Health Compare data. Interviews were conducted with 41 staff from 13 HHAs, including administrators, IPC and quality improvement personnel, registered nurses and home health aides. Interview guides were tailored toward the role of the interviewee. Interview transcripts were coded and themes were identified using content analysis. RESULTS: Themes included: 1) “Handwashing is our priority”; 2) Innovative approaches to care coordination and IPC; (3) Monitoring staff compliance; and, (4) Opportunities for improvement. Almost all HHC staff described that handwashing was a primary focus of IPC policies and staff education at their agencies. Some staff depicted creative ways that their agency was coordinating patient care among staff who were not always in the office, and also unique approaches to educating staff about IPC policies and practices. Administrators and managers explained the ways that they monitored staff compliance around IPC policies, while nurses and aides described how the monitoring reminded them about proper procedures. Finally, HHC staff mentioned various ways in which care coordination, staff education and compliance could be improved at their agencies; for example, more frequent supervisory visits were perceived as a way to improve compliance with agency policies and practices. CONCLUSION: This study increases our understanding of the impact that agency-level IPC policies and practices have upon HHC staff and patient care, in addition to specific approaches to care coordination, staff education and compliance monitoring. DISCLOSURES: All authors: No reported disclosures.